New case + motherboard questions

[Icewolf]

Hey guys, so i'm doing an overhaul on my computer:

I'm going to be buying a bigger case, probably: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...7&promoid=1283


I will also probably be buying a new motherboard... i just don't know which one, motherboards aren't my forte... any help? I'm looking for something around the 80-150 dollar range, regarding this, here are my specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad 8200
6GB DDR3 (in 4 sticks)
640GB hardrive
& XFX 460 1GB coming in the mail soon

oh, and a decent heatsink for a good price would be nifty as well

thanks for the recommendations

P.S: brownie points for using ncix.com as well

[mrcrusty]

You're stuck with few options when it comes to motherboards because the LGA 775 socket (Pentium, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, etc) is quite old and outdated, so the only motherboards available for you are usually low end, HTPC or entry level motherboards.

What exactly do you want to do with your PC?

Because an entry motherboard is all you'll need if you're not doing any overclocking or tweaking, or needing SLI or anything but once you start needing those extra features, then you'll be in trouble.

Something like this would easily meet day to day needs, but again, it's very basic.

As for cooling, get this.

Also, nice job on the XFX GTX 460. It's just a reference card with an XFX sticker, but they made like one batch of those cards and most of them are sitting in a warehouse in China due to a falling out with Nvidia. They're pretty rare AFAIK.

[Icewolf]

er regarding the GPU, i should have linked it, this is what i bought:http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814500169

thanks for the help

and about the processor - motherboard issue... im going to be using the comp for gaming but i dont have the budget for a processor as well as everything else im buying right now so it will have to do... i will just have to upgrade it again in the future, the processor works fine for me anyhow..

EDIT: however... supposing you were to recommend me a new processor for a fairly cheap price/good value, which would you recommend?

thanks again

[karamazovmm]

You would have to go for AMD for a cheap processor and mobo combo.

the phenom II X4 is a good option, but I would inevitably save more money and hold till next year to upgrade, if you are only gaming there is no need for a upgrade now, the SB issues pushed your options to ivy bridge.

although I always try to get the toc, not the tic

[mrcrusty]

You would have to go for AMD for a cheap processor and mobo combo.

the phenom II X4 is a good option, but I would inevitably save more money and hold till next year to upgrade, if you are only gaming there is no need for a upgrade now, the SB issues pushed your options to ivy bridge.

although I always try to get the toc, not the tic

Exactly what I did. I was on the fence on what to upgrade to. I had my eye on Sandy Bridge, and then had my heart set on a Phenom II x6. Then I realised with Bulldozer coming out so soon, there was little point in going for the high end AMD processors, so I sold my 1090T and picked up a used 955 (c2) on eBay for $100.

Thing I like about this processor is even if it doesn't overclock well (~3.7-3.8 Ghz limit), it undervolts really well. Got 3 Ghz going at 1.175v stable (50 runs IBT @ Max). I get a good 90-95% of stock performance, but it's something like 20-30% more power efficient.