Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Alright, help me out with my shopping...
  • Subject: Alright, help me out with my shopping...
Subject: Alright, help me out with my shopping...
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Does anyone know of a motherboard (with or without a processor bundled) that will do the following...

-Support DDR (I don't want to upgrade my memory just yet)

-Be able to run a 8800 card without bottlenecking it too much

-Under $200

  • 03.15.2007 6:06 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Nope, not going to happen.

  • 03.15.2007 6:27 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: snowysnowcones
Nope, not going to happen.


What's not going to happen? My choice of memory will ruin everything that bad? Or you can't seem to help me out, and want to be a prick?

  • 03.15.2007 6:30 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

What he meant is, you won't find a motherboard for under $200 that will do what you want. In fact you prabably won't find a decent motherboard for that price at all.

  • 03.15.2007 6:34 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
What he meant is, you won't find a motherboard for under $200 that will do what you want. In fact you prabably won't find a decent motherboard for that price at all.


I had one suggested for $110 that I would of got if it supported DDR...

[Edited on 3/15/2007]

  • 03.15.2007 6:44 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Why do you want DDR ram? That makes no sense at all. DDR is out dated, heak, we're about to move on to DDR3. You mine as well get DDR 2, because they don't make socket AM2 motherboards with DDR.
There are lots of good motherboards out there for under $200, but by buying one that supports DDR, you're just digging yourself into a hole where you can't upgrade in the future.

  • 03.15.2007 7:03 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: snowysnowcones
Why do you want DDR ram? That makes no sense at all. DDR is out dated, heak, we're about to move on to DDR3. You mine as well get DDR 2, because they don't make socket AM2 motherboards with DDR.
There are lots of good motherboards out there for under $200, but by buying one that supports DDR, you're just digging yourself into a hole where you can't upgrade in the future.


How about this, this, and this?

I wanted DDR originally because it is what I use now, and RAM is somewhat expensive. The one I have listed isn't that bad for a gig, and I can buy more later if I really need it.

[Edited on 3/15/2007]

  • 03.15.2007 7:05 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: darekster2ongame
Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
What he meant is, you won't find a motherboard for under $200 that will do what you want. In fact you prabably won't find a decent motherboard for that price at all.


I had one suggested for $110 that I would of got if it supported DDR...

Edit-How about this, this, and this?


That motherboard supports DDR2, with speeds up to 800mhz. The ram you picked out is only rated at 533

  • 03.15.2007 7:05 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: snowysnowcones
Posted by: darekster2ongame
Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
What he meant is, you won't find a motherboard for under $200 that will do what you want. In fact you prabably won't find a decent motherboard for that price at all.


I had one suggested for $110 that I would of got if it supported DDR...

Edit-How about this, this, and this?


That motherboard supports DDR2, with speeds up to 800mhz. The ram you picked out is only rated at 533


Is this one a good buy?

  • 03.15.2007 7:07 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hey, it's your money. Personally I'm an AMD guy, and that card only has one PCI-E slot. That might limit you if you ever plan on upgrading. The heatsink looks kind of puny, one comment even brought to attention that it runs a little on the warm side. And that's not good, especially if you plan on overclocking it.

I'd say you're better off looking around some more before you made a decision.

  • 03.15.2007 7:10 AM PDT

Join the MAW Clan
X-fire username:Iggwilv
My Real Avatar

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131361 66

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131315 68

Those are two motherboards that have DDR400 memory slots and a PCI-x slots and our under $200. The only criteria they may not satisfy is the not bottlenecking the 8800. That is a beast of a card and you probably need the latest artitecter(sp?) to fully utilize its power.

The other thing is why do you feel you need to have a 8800? Its overkill for most games and DX10 will not become prominent until next year.
If your going to upgrade a motherboard your getting a new machine. My rule is always get the best possible motherboard so you can upgrade components for a few years and not have too obsolete of a machine.

  • 03.15.2007 7:12 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: darekster2ongame
Posted by: snowysnowcones
Posted by: darekster2ongame
Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
What he meant is, you won't find a motherboard for under $200 that will do what you want. In fact you prabably won't find a decent motherboard for that price at all.


I had one suggested for $110 that I would of got if it supported DDR...

Edit-How about this, this, and this?


That motherboard supports DDR2, with speeds up to 800mhz. The ram you picked out is only rated at 533


Is this one a good buy?

Good Ram, but nothing special. I've heard of problems with OCZ running on Intel chipsets

  • 03.15.2007 7:13 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I found this cheaper (but faster total) processor. I could care less if it's a core 2 duo. How is this?

  • 03.15.2007 7:14 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: darekster2ongame
I found this cheaper (but faster total) processor. I could care less if it's a core 2 duo. How is this?


That's not a faster processor.

  • 03.15.2007 7:15 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Iggwilv
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131361 66

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131315 68

Those are two motherboards that have DDR400 memory slots and a PCI-x slots and our under $200. The only criteria they may not satisfy is the not bottlenecking the 8800. That is a beast of a card and you probably need the latest artitecter(sp?) to fully utilize its power.

The other thing is why do you feel you need to have a 8800? Its overkill for most games and DX10 will not become prominent until next year.
If your going to upgrade a motherboard your getting a new machine. My rule is always get the best possible motherboard so you can upgrade components for a few years and not have too obsolete of a machine.


I've decided to spend the extra money on the memory. I'm getting a 8800 so I can make the computer to last a while. My current card lasted quite a while, and can still play games. I expect the 8800 to last even longer.

Oh, and I just did the math. I was wrong about it being faster.

[Edited on 3/15/2007]

  • 03.15.2007 7:17 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Here, since you really can't seem to build yourself a decent computer, or maybe you just don't know anything about hardware but the basics, here's a nice, cheap computer that will give you plenty of upgrade options.

Assuming you already have a hard drive and powersupply:
Processor: AMD 3600X2 65nm $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681910304 6
Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum $113
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681313005 7
Graphics Card: Sapphire X1950GT $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681410203 4
RAM: PNY 2GB 667 $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1682017813 4
Total: $468

  • 03.15.2007 7:21 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: darekster2ongame
Posted by: Iggwilv
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131361 66

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168131315 68

Those are two motherboards that have DDR400 memory slots and a PCI-x slots and our under $200. The only criteria they may not satisfy is the not bottlenecking the 8800. That is a beast of a card and you probably need the latest artitecter(sp?) to fully utilize its power.

The other thing is why do you feel you need to have a 8800? Its overkill for most games and DX10 will not become prominent until next year.
If your going to upgrade a motherboard your getting a new machine. My rule is always get the best possible motherboard so you can upgrade components for a few years and not have too obsolete of a machine.


I've decided to spend the extra money on the memory. I'm getting a 8800 so I can make the computer to last a while. My current card lasted quite a while, and can still play games. I expect the 8800 to last even longer.

Oh, and I just did the math. I was wrong about it being faster.

There's no such thing as "future proof" in the computer industry. I don't think getting an 8800 would exactly be the wisest idea. Sure, it's the fastest right now, but it came out in November, which will be about a year before any DX10 games are actually on the market. I think it would be a good idea to get a nice cheap graphics card, then upgrade when it's necessary. Besides, any 1900 or 7900 series from ATI or Nvidia will still last you for a good while.

  • 03.15.2007 7:24 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I wish you would of gave those links earlier. That saves me a headache. I guess I can wait a bit before getting a DX 10 card. All I have to do is make sure one of the two computer stores in my area caries the parts.

  • 03.15.2007 7:28 AM PDT

Join the MAW Clan
X-fire username:Iggwilv
My Real Avatar

Take your time and do your homework. I spent a month and a half researching and selecting my computer when I bought it. Relax you have til May.

  • 03.15.2007 9:02 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

If you want an 8800, you're going to need an E6600 or better (Sorry, don't know AMDs) to prevent bottlenecking.

My rig is basically the bottom-line of being able to fully take advantage of the 8800GTS (if that makes any sense).

Processor: Intel C2D E6600 @ 2.40GHz
Memory: OCZ Gold 1GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) x 2
Motherboard: ASUS P5N-E SLI (650i)
Hard Drive: Western Digital SATA 7200RPM 160GB
Video Card: eVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS Superclocked
PSU: Antec TruePower 650 watt
Monitor: Samsung 204B 1600x1200
Sound Card: Creative SB X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series
Speakers/Headphones: Icemat Siberia Headphones
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: Microsoft/Razer Habu
OS: Vista Home Premium 32bit

  • 03.15.2007 9:57 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: ImSpartacus
Posted by: Iwantcable
If you want an 8800, you're going to need an E6600 or better (Sorry, don't know AMDs) to prevent bottlenecking.

My rig is basically the bottom-line of being able to fully take advantage of the 8800GTS (if that makes any sense).

Processor: Intel C2D E6600 @ 2.40GHz
Memory: OCZ Gold 1GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) x 2
Motherboard: ASUS P5N-E SLI (650i)
Hard Drive: Western Digital SATA 7200RPM 160GB
Video Card: eVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS Superclocked
PSU: Antec TruePower 650 watt
Monitor: Samsung 204B 1600x1200
Sound Card: Creative SB X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series
Speakers/Headphones: Icemat Siberia Headphones
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: Microsoft/Razer Habu
OS: Vista Home Premium 32bit


aside from some differences in ram brands, that is just about identical to what i was looking at. how is that motherboard working for you? i heard some ultra bad things about the p5n-32e or something like that, the 680i version anyway.

other than that, i was going for that cpu, psu, and the gpu.

i might go down to the 7600 gt, or something like that till crysis and all the other kickass cards come out, but that cpu is locked in, perfect price, proformance ratio. flucking perfect.


The motherboard works great, I haven't had any problems with it (even with Vista). If you want to go up to the 680i, you should check out the eVGA one, I heard it was better than the ASUS 680i.

I haven't even OCed the CPU yet, I know I can easily hit 3.0GHz though with stock cooling (I have an Antec 900 w/2 extra fans).

The whole thing cost me ~$1500 (I already had the monitor, mouse, and keyboard). You should be able to save some money if you use eVGA's step-up program and wait until the 8 series cards drop to upgrade.

[Edited on 3/15/2007]

  • 03.15.2007 1:08 PM PDT