[mizsua]

Hello, I want to upgrade my motherboard to suit the new graphics card I want (BFG 8800 GT 512MB OC)

My current system spec is below but doesn't support the Graphics Card.

I would like to re-use some of my core components if possible and wondered if I also need to upgrade them. i.e. INTEL P4 3.2GHZ DUAL CORE CPU and the 2x 1GB (1024MB) PC4200 DDR2 RAM

I know I will have to upgrade my power supply but would like suggestions on a board suitable for my current Processor and Memory, plus PCI x16 for the new graphics card. I would be looking at spending up to £150 for the board.

Many thanks in advance.

INTEL P4 3.2GHZ DUAL CORE CPU
PCI-X P4 775 TWINS Motherboard
2x 1GB (1024MB) PC4200 DDR2 RAM
250GB SATA HDD, 16X +/- DVDRW DL Optical Drive
PCI EXPRESS GEFORCE 6600 512MB Graphics
3.5" FLOPPY DISC DRIVE
WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL (OEM)

[thingie2]

I would say go for something like this board, but I would also say you should probably get a new CPU, I went from a P4 3GHz to an E2180 and I notice a bit difference, so I recommend an upgrade.

[VoodooDan]

Hey mizsua, this is VoodooDan from HP.

I would recommend checking out this list from Pricewatch for MB CPU combos in your price range:
http://www.pricewatch.com/motherboar...00_cpu_fan.htm.

With that card, I would definitely step up to the Core Duo World.

Let us know how it goes. Hope that this was helpful.

[Hybr!d]

Originally Posted by VoodooDan

Hey mizsua, this is VoodooDan from HP.

HP as in Hewlet Packard?

[Carbon]

Yeah, you're gonna need new RAM and a new CPU as well. I'd try the 8800GT with your current system to see if it performs OK for now.

[mizsua]

Thankyou all for your replies.

thingie2

I'm interested in the board you suggested but would like to get away without upgrading CPU and Memory. Is that still possible with this board?

I will probably upgrade at a later date.

[thingie2]

Yea, that board should support your CPU and RAM (assuming the P4 is socket LGA775) however I strongly recommend upgrading the CPU and RAM, for the 2, it would cost you about £80 to make it worthwhile (E5200, with 2x1GB DDR2 800MHz)

[Carbon]

Most of the Prescotts need different voltage regulators than the ones that exist on current C2D boards. Only certain hybrid boards work with the 775 P4s, not all of them.

[thingie2]

Oh, because all the boards I have seen the CPU support list for say they support P4's as well as Core 2's, maybe I just only saw the few that work.

[Carbon]

Cue Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor: Intel P965. They might be Frankenstein boards but they'll work with P4s and C2Ds. Unfortunately, $85 for a crappy board really isn't worth it, so I'd advise the OP just to save and grab a new CPU and RAM. He'll need DDR2 to use this anyway.