I can't pick out a motherboard for the life of me...

[Javasnob]

Hey everyone,

Sorry to spam a bit, but I'm building myself a computer, and I've run into a bit of a snag: I need to find a motherboard.

So far I've only chosen a processor and memory for my machine, and here they are:

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

My problem is never picking out processors or memory or anything; it's always the motherboard, which I suppose you could guess from the title. =P

Could anyone recommend a good motherboard for use with these two components? I'd like to have integrated sound and networking with supported linux drivers (obviously); price is not *so* important, but cheaper would be nice. A critique on my choice of processor and memory would also be welcome.

Thanks much!

[jonantice]

I always pick out a motherboard first. That determines everything else I can buy.

[fingal]

I always pick out a motherboard first. That determines everything else I can buy.

That would be my approach too ... It's harder the other way around.

[DOllaBillz217]

Well now you have to find a motherboard that has the right socket for your processor ship. After that you have to make sure it has the right memory slots available (ie: 2 or 3 bay slots) and that should pretty much be it.

[bigtomrodney]

If you are buying AMD ensure you get a Brisbane CPU. They are 65nm whereas the Windsors are 90nm. There is a big difference in performance, power usage and temperature. There are 3800s and 4200s now shipping at that level.

For what it's worth I pick the CPU first. The I pick the board that supports it and has the best feature/price ratio. RAM is pretty standardised so it's not too hard beyond that especially given boards may have tolerance for +/-300MHz.

[jonantice]

Sites like newegg and tigerdirect allow you to brows motherboards by socket type. That should make it easier for you.

[RobertP]

If you are only doing e-mail/browsing a 64bit system is way overpowered. The only thing that will test your proposed system is booting and loading applications. I have used systems like you describe as a Linux terminal server to run 25 users simultaneously.

You can save a bundle of money by finding a s939 motherboard and CPU and you may find Socket A stuff in some places.

If you really need power, why limit yourself to one processor or one system? Use a dual-CPU system like this. or a cluster of lesser systems with gigabit/s links.