Motherboard Question

[ndatoxicity]

hey guys, now that ive got parts for my dads build, i need to start looking more seriously into mine... but i need some help in selecting a motherboard because there are a ton that i could use... ive selected 6 possible mobos... can you guys help? it would be much appreciated... thanks =]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157157

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135235

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131382

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

im looking for the best price/performace ratio i can get... the lower the price the better, but only if it means sacrificing a tiny bit of performance

also, i had a question about what this means for memory...

* Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

what?!?!? why can u only have one module per channel?? doesent that mean no dual channel???

 

[worshipme]

I think it was PokerDegenerate who was talking about the one DIMM per channel business to me. He knows more about this, but I don't think it's worth taking the chance.

The best one of the lot is probably the ASRock 790GX. That looks like a good board at a great price.

 

[ndatoxicity]

yeah it does look good.... but.... micro atx??

 

[Atomic Rooster]

I would suggest the GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P. It's a great board using the AMD 790X / SB750 chipset. It performs well even with the new Phenom II AM3 CPUs.

also, i had a question about what this means for memory...

* Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

what?!?!? why can u only have one module per channel?? doesent that mean no dual channel???

That means you can run only two sticks of DDR2 1066 memory, one on each channel. Such as DIMMs 1 + 3 (1 yellow slot, 1 black slot) like shown on the ASUS M4A78.

 

[ndatoxicity]

so i cant run my 1066 on dual channels???? thats stupid... should i just go 800 then?

yeah... thats probably what ill do, cuz im using a phenom II AM2+ cpu

 

[Atomic Rooster]

Yes, that is the definition of dual channel operation. One (or two) sticks of memory on each channel.

 

[ndatoxicity]

would running dual channel 800 be faster?

 

[Atomic Rooster]

Dual channel DDR2 800 faster than dual channel DDR2 1066? No. But the difference is nothing you would probably notice in real world use. But if you are looking for the best performance for your money, the faster memory would be preferred as you can get it for the same price as the DDR2 800.

 

[ndatoxicity]

so should i just stick with the 1066?

how would i install that then? one stick in 2 different channels?

 

[Atomic Rooster]

The 1066 will offer more bandwidth to compliment the CPU. On that particular motherboard, yes. One memory module in each group of slots. It will show you exactly which slots to use in the manual. You could always go to the motherboard manufacturers site and download the manual for more info.