Best microATX mobo for Q9450?

[koocha]

Hi all

I'm building a lan rig around the new Q9450 and was wondering what the best microATX motherboard on the market is?

I'm lookg for gigabit lan, all the usb ports you can shake a stick at and PCI-e slots (x16 and x1)

Ta

[Biscuit]

Asus P5E-VM

Asus P5K-VM

I think most boards from the G3* series would be ok for the job

I built a basic machine for a mate using This which was fine for a small simple build. all claim to support 45nm

[vaio]

That P5E is a sweet lil board......me wants one

[siuron]

Asus P5E-VM HDMI
good spec, good overclocking, HDMI, 12 USB, gigalan and got those PCIe x16/x1

[Hunain]

I use ASUS P5K-VM, it does not have HDMI, but the rest is pretty solid, good overclocking, 12USB and the rest..give it a look

[Biscuit]

When you say lan rig... do you mean lan partys (ie gaming) or for a file server or media centre?

[koocha]

I'm not going to be using the onboard vid. Prolly going to strap a 9600GT into it.

EDIT: Swinging towards the 3870 at the moment

[koocha]

When you say lan rig... do you mean lan partys (ie gaming) or for a file server or media centre?

Gaming. Going to put it into the Aplus Case Blockbuster Storm

[Biscuit]

Any overclocking?

[koocha]

Any overclocking?

Not sure. Haven't owned an Intel CPU since a Pentium running at 200Mhz!

I overclocked my Opteron 165 from 1.8Ghz to 2.8Ghz so I'm all up for it with the Q9450, but not sure about what memory I'd need and such.

[Webby]

Q9450 has a FSB of 333Mhz (1333 Quad pumped) so in theory 667MHz Memory is all that is required. 800Mhz memory at a 1:1 ratio with the FSB would let you take the FSB up to 400MHz without overclocking the memory which would give you a clock speed of 400*8 = 3.2GHz if you want a higher clock speed than that then you will either need to get 800MHz memory which is proven to overclock well or splash a bit more cash on some faster sticks.

[koocha]

Q9450 has a FSB of 333Mhz (1333 Quad pumped) so in theory 667MHz Memory is all that is required. 800Mhz memory at a 1:1 ratio with the FSB would let you take the FSB up to 400MHz without overclocking the memory which would give you a clock speed of 400*8 = 3.2GHz if you want a higher clock speed than that then you will either need to get 800MHz memory which is proven to overclock well or splash a bit more cash on some faster sticks.

That's just what I wanted to know! You've been thanked!

EDIT: 800mhz it is then! Seen some stuff on Overclockers.co.uk with heat pipes! Now you're talking

[Biscuit]

That's just what I wanted to know! You've been thanked!

EDIT: 800mhz it is then! Seen some stuff on Overclockers.co.uk with heat pipes! Now you're talking

Dont forget if your overclocking you will need a decent aftermarket HSF if you wanna keep things cool & quiet, these usually have problems with heatpipe cooled RAM and they get in the way of each other. I would just stick to normal heat spreader ram - it doesnt usually make much difference. If you can find crucial ballistix ram on offer anywhere that stuff its the dogs b*ll*cks and will overclock like hell. my OCZ stuff does way over 900MHz when u slacken the timings to cas 5.

The Asus P5K-VM seems like a sensible option as u have no need for the additional HD capabilities of the G35 so u can save a bit of cash.

AnandTech: µATX Part 2: Intel G33 Performance Review

Thats a review on a few different G33 motherboards

[Thorsson]

Seen some stuff on Overclockers.co.uk with heat pipes! Now you're talking

Dunno if that would fit into your case. Besides being a waste of money.

[koocha]

Dont forget if your overclocking you will need a decent aftermarket HSF if you wanna keep things cool & quiet

I was gonna put one of the NorthQ Siberian Tiger watercooling units in it

EDIT: Also the Asus P5K-VM has a PCI-e x4 slot...would that fit a PCI-e x1 card in? Got my eye on a wireless card (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK)

[Biscuit]

I was gonna put one of the NorthQ Siberian Tiger watercooling units in it

EDIT: Also the Asus P5K-VM has a PCI-e x4 slot...would that fit a PCI-e x1 card in? Got my eye on a wireless card (Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK)

Dont know much bout watercooling so i cant comment there.

Yeah you can even put PCI-E X1 in X16 slots i believe