Motherboard Suggestions

[cheesegrater]

Looks like it will be hard to insert a screw next to the IDE1 port. I heard the screw-hole next to the RAM isn't properly grounded. Is that true?

I am considering a 3800 X2 or a 4200 X2 for my build. Is the 4200 worth the extra $40 or are you just paying for extra 200 MHZ?

Does the 3800 X2 use the same heatsink and cooling fan as the 4200 X2? Socket 939. When reading reviews there was a trend where 3800 X2 owners were complaining about heat while 4200 X2 owners were saying that it runs quite cool.

[ctjoyce]

I would go for the 4400+ x2, as all prices are dropping tonight. I would also couple that with a Zalman CNPS-7000Cu, and Artic Silver 5 thermal paste.

Cheers
Cameron

[cheesegrater]

Yeah, 4400 X2 is a good deal because of the 2MB cache. However, I doubt I will be able to afford it even after the price drop.

[congo]

Well, here, the 4400+ just went from $730 down to $335, so I would have bought one this morning but I have huge bills this month, so it's gonna have to wait.

The problem is that these cpu's are out of production so stocks will disappear in the near future.

A 4400+ is stock clocked at 2200mhz, the 4800 is 2400mhz.

The expected o/c is 2600mhz on the 4400+, so it's a powerful cpu, and will hold it's own for a while yet.

An alternative is to pick one up second hand as people dump it for a conroe upgrade.

[cheesegrater]

Yeah, I can't buy anything else at the moment. It's been 20 days since I finished work and I still didn't get payed! I'm getting a 6600GT to save money. It will be easier to upgrade video than CPU or mobo later on.