Which micro atx board to choose?

[robprime]

Hello,
I've never overclocked anything, but I have recently acquired an old pc for experimentation. It has a 1000mhz Thunderbird on a socket A MSI-6340m mobo, which has about zero overclocking abilities. The rest of the system is fine, although a good wattage power supply that small will be hard to find, most I've seen are like 150 to 200 watts. But I do like the small micro atx case size, it fits on my desk real nice, and has just enough room for what I want to put in there, CD burner, CD rom, one hd, video card(nothing too sporty), modem, mabe a soundblaster or lan if the mobo has none. So I am asking for some recommendations about which micro atx mobos have good overclocking capabilities.
I'd like sata hard drives & ide optical drives if possible, ddr support of various speeds, processor support of the various fsb speeds, onboard sound would be cool w/ pins for front panel access, front usb too. Onboard Lan would be great. Is this too much to ask? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[Sentential]

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!
...and please help us cure cancer. Fold for team32.

Is this too much to ask? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks in advance,
Rob

Not in the least. I am not sure what you wish to keep out of your current setup so I will do 2.

<assuming you keep your CPU> **note that I assume you will buy both**

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-477&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-109-120&depa=1

<assuming you dont keep your CPU and start from scratch> **note that I assume you will buy all 3**
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-128-262&DEPA=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-487&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-109-119&depa=1

<powersupplies>
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-124&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-101-515&depa=1

<suggestions for fans for the heatsink>
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-999-002&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-999-603&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-999-121&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=35-180-053&DEPA=0


___________

As always if there is any way I can help just ask

 

[Keiron]

Would an XP-90 fit in an mATX? Those things, while smaller then the 120's are still pretty decently sized. Maybe one of the SLK's might be a better choice, or maybe even a low profile cooler (course those kill much of your OC abality due to heat).
Perhaps rob could post us a picture of the case, so we can better judge what will fit.

 

[robprime]

Great welcome, man.
I saw a few of your recommendations earlier today when I was checking out NewEgg, outstanding company, by the way. I am just not experienced enough with motherboards to be able to choose one suitable fo overclocking.

 

[Sentential]

Would an XP-90 fit in an mATX? Those things, while smaller then the 120's are still pretty decently sized. Maybe one of the SLK's might be a better choice, or maybe even a low profile cooler (course those kill much of your OC abality due to heat).
Perhaps rob could post us a picture of the case, so we can better judge what will fit.

Im looking at the clearence for that board and it looks like it will fit just fine. The real issue you have to worry about are caps preveing proper mouning. His looks just fine. I dont this the chassis will be a factor either. Plus with the heatpipes on the XP90 he wouldnt have to have such a high speed fan.

 

[Sentential]

Great welcome, man.
I saw a few of your recommendations earlier today when I was checking out NewEgg, outstanding company, by the way. I am just not experienced enough with motherboards to be able to choose one suitable fo overclocking.

Id have to check the motherboard reviews for pertiant overclocking information and would be happy to do so. All I really need to know is what *your* plans are.

Do you plan on gutting the whole box for an A64 rig or do you plan on using that Tbird?

 

[robprime]

I had thought to stay with the socket A's for now. I've seen plenty of inexpensive XP's, Durons, Semprons and such to play with until I get a better understanding of overclocking. I'm bound to fry a few.

 

[robprime]

I plan to use this machine for gaming, surfing, music, experimenting, maybe a little school work (beginning an A.S.in computer engineering and robotics). I have another system, actually 3 others so if I blow it up all is not lost.

 

[robprime]

As for the case, it's a microtower, 7" wide, 11 3/4"deep, and 14 1/2" tall, chassis measurements. Two 5 1/4 bays, two 3 1/2. The power supply sits across the back at the top, is 6" wide, 4" deep, and 3 1/2" tall, w a 1/2" space above that. Basically the top 4" are taken up by the 5 1/4 bays and the pws. With a full sized cd or dvd properly installed in the bezel, there is about 1" between. Tight for the wiring ang cables, but doable.

 

[Niku-Sama]

i just reccomended this to some one else a few minutes ago...
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-024&depa=1

i have a similar motherboard but withonboard video, this one (the one i linked too) has a nforce 2 ultra chipset which would be good for overclocking assuming the setting in the bios are there (i dont know if they are) but even if they arent you still get more performance out of this chipset and its widly supported....

also sempron = no really its just like a duron (well same idea) but theyre not as good for some reason....or so i hear....and for the price of the sempron you might as well get the same priced athlon processor which should be faster any way....the sempron on socket a just dont make any sence....

i've had a few durons and they were pretty good but they were old Spitfire cores...850 was the fasted one i had, did the pencil-trick to it and managed to get it to 1100Mhz...any way i am yacking now sorry

 

[robprime]

I'll be here forever trying to describe everything. Tomorrow I will try to borrow a digital camera and post a photo or two. I've been working on this case quite a bit and its got plenty more airholes than it started with. Anyway, I'd like to thank you guys for your interest and advice. You've been great.

 

[robprime]

Thanks, Niku,
Went and looked at that. It looks good, no sata though. And thanks for the info on the semprons. I have heard that before too.