Best Mobo for Phenom 555BE

[Beeboy18]

Whats a good mobo for the AMD phenom ii x2 555BE . I plan on attempting to unlock the cores as well as overclock a bit. It's also my first build so user friendly is nice
Ps ~110$ price range

 

[trents]

Lots of good choices. Are you starting from scratch or wanting to use ram from an existing system? If you are wanting to use existing DDR2 that will narrow it down a bit.

 

[Beeboy18]

I'm buying new ram, havent decided which yet cause im waiting on some combo deals but most likely something like this:
Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model

 

[trents]

If you want to unlock cores, you want something with the 785 or higher AMD chipset. Here's some recommendations within your price range, if you take into account rebates:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131627

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131627

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 (This one has an older chipset but is very popular as you can see from the 500+ reviews)

Read the NewEgg customer reviews and get an idea of what are the strengths and weaknesses of each board, keeping in mind that some reviewers are idiots that don't know what they're talking about. Don't consider boards that only have a half a handful of reviews. Look at ones that have sufficient evaluations (20+) to give a good idea of what customers are experiencing. Look for patterns in the reviews. Stay away from ECS (they are poor overclockers) and MSI (they seem to have lots of problems these days).

You will also want to give consideration to getting a good aftermarket cooler if you will be unlocking cores and overclocking. The stock box coolers usually won't cut it with much over stock CPU speeds and voltages and extra cores unlocked.

 

[trents]

I'm buying new ram, havent decided which yet cause im waiting on some combo deals but most likely something like this:
Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model

Normally, I would recommend getting higher speed ram (1600) but since your are buying a black edtion cpu and will be able to overclock with the CPU multiplier, fast ram is not that critical.

 

[Beeboy18]

I always seem to forget to mention that I'm from Canada and cant use the .com version of newegg :/

How are these mobo's, think there quite similar to yours:

Computer parts, laptops, electronics, and more - Newegg Canada

Newegg is proud to offer Canada the best prices, fast shipping and top-rated customer service for Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics and more!

www.newegg.ca

and as for coolers go hows something like this... i know its cheap and you get what you pay for but will it get the job done?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

 

[QuietIce]

If your case is wide enough (takes about 8") these coolers are a little more expensive but much better choices:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004

If you unlock the X2 then it will become an X3 or X4 and run much hotter than the X2 version will ...

 

[trents]

The link about the motherboard doesn't work. Can you fix it so it's hypertexted like the cooler link is?

The cooler is not the best choice but would be an improvement over the stock box cpu. You really should look at going to a 120 mm fan-based tower cooler if there is room in your case for it. You would need a case at least 122 cm wide from outside of case to outside to accommodate it, however.

 

[QuietIce]

The cooler is not the best choice but would be an improvement over the stock box cpu. You really should look at going to a 120 mm fan-based tower cooler if there is room in your case for it. You would need a case at least 122 cm wide from outside of case to outside to accommodate it, however.

122 cm? - THAT can't be right.

I think they'll fit inside most 8" (20 cm/200 mm) cases, won't they? The Sunbeam CCT 120mm fits inside my CoolerMaster Centurion cases ...

 

[trents]

Sorry! Thanks for catching that, Ice. I meant 22 cm.

 

[QuietIce]

Are you sure 20 cm isn't enough? I'm pretty sure my Centurion's are only ~200 mm ...

(latest version is 202mm - I don't think mine's any bigger)

 

[trents]

20 might be enough but the case side panel might be touching the heatpipe tips. The various 120 mm fan-based coolers do vary 1-3 mm in height from one another and that will have a bearing on clearance.

 

[Beeboy18]

sorry about the broken link, here it is:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...28-445^13-128-445-TS,13-131-654^13-131-654-TS

and my case is either going to be an antec 300 or CM 690, the CM is ~8.4 inches and i think thats roughly 21cm wide? The antec 300 is ~8.1 so i think thats about 20cm wide, so both should fit the fans if my maths right.

 

[QuietIce]

Yep - both those cases should have enough space for the 120mm coolers but any side-panel fan might get in the way, depending on where it's located.

sorry about the broken link, here it is:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...28-445^13-128-445-TS,13-131-654^13-131-654-TS

Personally, I wouldn't try overclocking with any board missing the MOSFET coolers - that's just asking for trouble. However, you can buy MOSFET heatsinks and add them. Or you can provide some other type of active cooling like a small fan blowing straight onto them or a baffle for the rear fan to direct more air over them ...

 

[Beeboy18]

I could just remove the side panel fan couldnt I? And how difficult is it to install one of these things?

 

[Beeboy18]

And I just noticed your comment on the mobos, do motherboards come with that cooler or do you need to buy it like you said?

 

[QuietIce]

You can remove the side-panel fan if it's in the way - but some people complain. I don't think it's that big an issue myself. If the fan is in the way then it's not mounted in the right place anyway.

Install one of what things? Those heatsinks? If they're bolt-on some are a pain, others are easy - it's hard to tell. The Sunbeam is a clip-in using the stock clip points.

If you're talking about the MOSFET coolers they're not hard if you get the right ones. As long as they're the correct size it shouldn't be a problem. Most have a sticky pad TIM, which makes it easy. Just clean well with alcohol, make sure it's dry, then stick them on and push ...

 

[Beeboy18]

Seems simple enough right now, lol. Any mobo recommendations quiteice?

 

[QuietIce]

Considering what I just saw on Newegg I think they're having a Price Gouging contest right now! The boards I usually recommend have jumped from $120 this morning to $130 (or maybe it was $140) right now. The only recommendation I have for now is wait a couple of days on the board until the dust settles.

Edit:

And I just noticed your comment on the mobos, do motherboards come with that cooler or do you need to buy it like you said?

Oops! Missed this post earlier!

Yeah - most mid-range and up ATX boards have MOSFET coolers. A few mATX have them but it's rare ...

 

[Beeboy18]

No rush really so i can wait