Motherboard Suggestions

[suppafreak]

I have decided to update the motherboard for my PC. Currently I have P4P800 Deluxe with PC3200 2GB of ram and 3.0 MHz CPU. The reason for update is that my PC completely freezes. I first noticed freezing while I was editing in PPRO. At that time I replaced the CPU and Memory, the freezing did not go a way. Now it freezes up when I capture video using the ScenalyzerLive. I have had the problem for at least a year. I tried many different things, but nothing has helped. Needles to say I do not what is causing it.

Anyway,

Currently I am utilizing 2 IDE connectors

Primary IDE - Boot Master HD and Slave HD
Secondary IDE - DVD/RW and DVD-Rom

I also have 4 SATA connecters of which I only use 2 for my storage drives.

Majority of the new motherboards come with only one IDE connector. So I would need to connect my Boot Master and Slave HDs to the SATA connectors. I found this to solve the problem:

http://www.granitedigital.com/catalog/pg52_satabridgeboards.htm

Does anyone have any experience with these bridges?
Would you recommend it or not?

Also, which mobo I should get AMD or Intel. I have heard that AMD outperform the Intel and it is cheaper. I have rebuilt my PC several times before and I only used ASUS Intel motherboards. I am willing to try AMD if it is better.

I would need something that has onboard LAN, IEEE 1394 and USB. The only expansion cards I have are ATI AIW AGP video, SoundBlaster Audio and maybe one more, which I cannot remember. Both cards are pretty old, but still work.

Thank you for your help and suggestions.

[budz]

What are your cpu and motherboard temps? Your P4 3.2 cpu is it a PRESCOTT or NORTHWOOD core processor? The PRESCOTT's have known high heat temperature problems that most use a aftermarket heatsink and fan to get cooler temps.

Here's a cheaper SATA to IDE adapter for only $11.50:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SY-JM-SIDE&cat=HDD


I use to favor only INTEL processors but switched over to AMD because it's reasonably priced can be easily overclocked using NForce chipset motherboards. I've only used ECS and BIOSTAR motherboards for AMD processors. The price of AMD processors are cheap now and supposedly going to drop even more in July. I bought a AMD 939 3200+ Venice core processor a few months ago for $130.00 and it's now down to $98.00. If you really want to buy a new mobo, ram and cpu AMD is the way to go. I haven't seen favorable reviews on the new AMD2 processors.

[suppafreak]

Thanks

Actually I thought about it and at the time when freezes starting to occur I replaced a CPU fan. My CPU temp is about normal I do not remember the numbers specifically but it is much below the overheating. Plus I keep the side panel of the case open for better ventilation.

Nice adapter, but it requires power and also it is sticks outward from the HD. The ones that I found do not require power and attached flash to the drive. I will consider them both, or any other ones I find.

What is the AMD mobo model number?

[budz]

For the AMD socket 939 3200+ Venice core processor I'm using the BIOSTAR 6100TForce motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138264

[suppafreak]

I see.

This one does not have the onboard IEEE 1394. What about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138270

Will I need to replace Power supply. Mine is 450 Watts and it connected the ASUS intel mobo.

[budz]

you will have to buy a new video card as well with that motherboard. the one I posted has built in video and I don't game so using onboard video is fine for me. Have you ever considered your power supply could be causing the freezing of your pc? what brand is your power supply?

[suppafreak]

The power supply was also replaced after the reezing sterted. I used to have 350 Watt, but then upgraded to 450-500 Watt.

You mean that my ATI AIW AGP card will not fit into the AGP slot on the board? It has 1 XGP slot, not sure waht is XGP means, but assuming it can fit any AGP cards.

Also, I am not too familiar with AMD processors. How are they compare to Intel processors? Which would you recomend.

[suppafreak]

I checked the Power supply.

It is an Antech TPII-430

[redwudz]

suppafreak, that MB you linked to is a PCI-E motherboard. It doesn't work with AGP video cards. You would have to purchase a PCI-E video card. If you don't game, consider a MB with a built in video display as budz mentioned. Most of them can have a separate video card added later if you need more display capabilities. Or get the MB you linked to and a PCI-E video card.