Please help me choose a motherboard

[Bloodbooger]

Still haven't replaced the damn thing due to some finance problems, but I'm finally ready to bite the bullet and spend some cash.

I was checking out the featured MOBOs on Tigerdirect, but if you see something for roughly the same value ($150ish max) I'd definately like to hear some input. Really looking to get the most of out my purchase.

ASUS featured MOBO
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3940037&CatId=1533

XFX featured MOBO
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4316659&CatId=1533

Anything else I should look into updating?





OG statement:

Hi guys, I am really hoping one of you can help me. I decided to clean my PC of dust, (didn't remove any hardware) and after I switched it on, the monitor displayed 'no video input.'

I tried using two different monitors on my PC, and they work fine on different computers. I have removed the graphics card, tried out a new video card, but still nothing. Everything seems to start up as normal, but I have to power it down via the main on/off switch.

So, I've decided it must be the motherboard. Problem is, I've never replaced a motherboard, and I'm afraid it's over my head. I'm just barely getting confident with digging around on my computer, are there any good guides, will I need special tools?

What should I be looking for in a motherboard? Any suggestions? I'd like to use everything I've got, and I know that I want to move to using PCI Express 2.0 board to get the most out of my new card.

New videocard is: XFX GeForce 8800 GT Video Card - Alpha Dog Edition, 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...mc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-WEBLET03SHIP-_-03ship



Specs for the PC:

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
http://www.xpbargains.com/xpricer.ph...80557E6600.htm

Motherboard:
MSI P6N SLI-FI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...LI-FI&class=mb

Extra USB Port:
Koutech PCI to USB2.0 Card Model IO-PU52
http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=45210&PHPSESSID=c2945283aafcc968be53 5481296b3e6c

Memory:
Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220144

VideoCard:
EVGA 256-P2-N584-AR GeForce 7900GT CO 256 MB DDR3
http://www.shentech.com/256p2n584ardh.html

PSU:
A 500 Watt Non-SLI Power Supply
http://www.shopping.com/xPF-PWR-SPLY-DYNPWR-ADW-50063

Drives:
NEC Brand CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152035

Harddrive:
160 GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/ha...83287/details/

Has a 3.5 Floppy installed

 

[Hydro2Oxide]

As far as a motherboard goes, you're looking for compatibility, RAM slots, FSB speed and how good the reviews are.

This is a decent short-term MoBo that would be good up until you need a better computer because it has only 2 RAM slots, 4GB RAM max supported and has 5 eggs out of 5 average.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

EDIT: Nevermind, this is PCI-E, not 2.0

 

[Bloodbooger]

Please point me in the right direction, I know I want a 775 socket for my processor, but how do I know the rest is compatible?

 

[Moxio]

If you plan on running SLI, the XFX, if not, the ASUS.

 

[Richard Longfellow]

[quote name='Bloodbooger']Please point me in the right direction, I know I want a 775 socket for my processor, but how do I know the rest is compatible?[/QUOTE]

The rest of what? Memory? Video card? You pull your stuff out and see if it's compatible with the spec sheets on your new board before buying it. Look on newegg, they have very well detailed spec sheets and even close up views of the boards.