Motherboard selection help?

[shaiban001]

Hi All,
I am using the below board/processor:

board(Intel DG31PR Motherboard):
Intel DG31PR Motherboard - Intel G31 Express, Socket 775, MicroATX, Audio, Video, PCI Express, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA at TigerDirect.com

Processor (Intel Core 2 Duo E6550):
*www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030

My board is having some problem. If I go for another board then what I should check in another board for compatibility? Should I go for DDR3 supported board as currently I am using DDR2 only?

Thanks.

 

[Cilus]

Your Processor is a LGA 775 socket based CPU. For that, INtel G41 chipset base plenty of Motherboards are available at sub 3K range. I think you should opt for DDR3 based Motherboard as it will be more future proof and cost effective. DDR3 Rams are cheaper and easily available with bigger size per stick (8 GB single stick DDR3 are there where max DDR2 size is still 2 GB). Get this Motherboard:-
Gigabyte GA-G41M Motherboard | Motherboard | Flipkart.com

 

[shaiban001]

Your Processor is a LGA 775 socket based CPU. For that, INtel G41 chipset base plenty of Motherboards are available at sub 3K range. I think you should opt for DDR3 based Motherboard as it will be more future proof and cost effective. DDR3 Rams are cheaper and easily available with bigger size per stick (8 GB single stick DDR3 are there where max DDR2 size is still 2 GB). Get this Motherboard:-
Gigabyte GA-G41M Motherboard | Motherboard | Flipkart.com

I don't know the reason but I don't like micro-ATX where everything is congested. Is there any advantage of going with micro-ATX when your case is suitable for ATX?
This board is mentioning DDR3 memory frequency with "1333(O.C)". Means it won't use DDR3 full potential until overclocking, but I don't have any idea about it and how to do it.
Please mention points/reference also that we should look for while buying motherboard like compatibility/slots/FSB etc.
Thanks Cilus for the reply and suggestion.

 

[Cilus]

Buddy, there is no LGA 775 boards are available with ATX form factor as it is more than 2 Generation old. Also regarding Mini-ATX form factor, it is not like that everything will be congested. Current board designs are pretty good and for your configuration and nothing will be congested as you are thinking of. I used to run Phenom II X6 1090T + HD 6870 Crossfire (2 HD 6870) in a Micro-ATX board.

2ndly, none of the Core2 series processors support memory speed over 1066MHz and if you are planning to utilize the extra frequency, you need to overclock it, no matter which board you're going to use. There are plenty of tutorials, both documentation as well as Video guides are available about it and you should not have any issue as far as I think of.

 

[shaiban001]

Buddy, there is no LGA 775 boards are available with ATX form factor as it is more than 2 Generation old. Also regarding Mini-ATX form factor, it is not like that everything will be congested. Current board designs are pretty good and for your configuration and nothing will be congested as you are thinking of. I used to run Phenom II X6 1090T + HD 6870 Crossfire (2 HD 6870) in a Micro-ATX board.

2ndly, none of the Core2 series processors support memory speed over 1066MHz and if you are planning to utilize the extra frequency, you need to overclock it, no matter which board you're going to use. There are plenty of tutorials, both documentation as well as Video guides are available about it and you should not have any issue as far as I think of.

My third doubt (mentioned below) is still unanswered:
Please mention points/reference also that we should look for while buying motherboard like compatibility/slots/FSB etc.

Again thanks a lot for giving such a elaboration.

 

[jackal_79]

My third doubt (mentioned below) is still unanswered:
Please mention points/reference also that we should look for while buying motherboard like compatibility/slots/FSB etc.

Again thanks a lot for giving such a elaboration.

Please check out below boards.Both are good.First is little hard to get.Second is available on the same site.I have bought it last week.

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 775 - GA-G41MT-S2PT (rev. 2.1)

Asus MotherBoard - P5G41T-M-LX - www.deltapage.com


Being an older generation board you can't expect these to have latest features like support for latest CPU or USB 3.0.But for your existing setup this will do fine.Only thing you have remember is to check the number of PCI slots ( if you have any add on card or sound card) and support for IDE (For IDE HDD and Opticaldrive).
Also if you are going for either of these boards you need to purchase a DDR3 RAM.If you don't want to spend on DDR3 then your only option is Gigabyte G-41 Combo board.

 

[Naxal]

DDR2 rams are having really good resale value.

One can obtain upto Rs. 750/- for a 2GB 800 MHz good branded DDR-II here in Kolkata.

So replace the DDR2 (sale it locally or trade it) and buy G41 based DDR-III only motherboard.

DDR-III boards in G41 is around Rs. 600/- cheaper than Gigabyte G41 Combo supporting both DDR-III and DDR-II