OK, so now that every single component has been upgraded in this PC, I'm left with a motherboard to purchase.

Some of you may be familiar with my problems regarding the Call of Duty series variable framerate. I'm now almost 100% positive it has something to do with my motherboard, since it's the only component I haven't replaced yet.

So like I said, time for a new motherboard.

I was hoping you all could give me some insight as to which board to purchase.

Here's what I'm currently running:

AMD X2 7750BE Kuma @ 3.0ghz
Asus M2N-MX SE Plus
HD 4870 512mhz @ 786/950
4gb Corsair XMS2 PC-8500 @ 1066mhz
CM Extreme Power 550w PSU

Obviously, the weak link in my system is the M2N-MX SE Plus mobo.

I keep getting told that a crossfire motherboard is a waste of money, and that performance is marginally increased in an xfire setup. Not sure if I should believe that, since I heard 2 4870's are a beast (power pending). So I'm definately open to the idea of purchasing a crossfire ready board.

Also, I want to make sure I grab an AM3 board, since I plan on eventually upgrading to a Phenom II cpu.

I want 4 ram slots, so I can add another 4GB kit of PC-8500.

At LEAST 4 sata ports.

A DECENT overclocker, don't have to be too fancy, just something with good OC'ing features.

A good chipset. I'm told the 790GX is a great chipset, so I'd like to grab a board with that chipset or something similar.

My budget is really kind of open. I would still like to go as cheap as possible, so lets try to keep em within the $150 range.

So, with all these requirements, is there something out there that suits my needs?

i might give this board a try
http://www.mysterybyte.com/part/13709/

Personally I ran Xfire, and SLI a good few times. I haven't seen a great benifit being worth it. When I did run it. It was only due to the opportunity of a GREAT deal.

At the time it wasn't compatible with a multiple display setup. Now I hear Nvidia does have drivers that support multi monitor SLI. With ATI I am not too sure. I'm sure someone can answer your question.

I wouldn't consider replacing your motherboard unless you're looking for more OCing options. And even there you are going to hit a real disappointing wall. And at best with your going to spend on a mobo you'll gain what.. 4-5 fps max?

IF you upgrade your cpu and board. Well that is a different story.

Just re-read your post as im busy playing monopoly...

If you plan on going Phenom 2 cpu. It's a good idea to start upgrading then. Also since your going that route just research on a good xfire board. The few extra bucks are worth it. Plus read a few reviews and find a good overclocking board since ph2's can be overclocked a bit easily with no fuss from what I have been reading for a while.

Xfire can be marginal but since your playing modern day shooters and being a bit of a hardware geek I can see you going crossfire. Sometimes it can be very marginal gains, as well at times it can be a great improvement where you need a bit of extra horsepower to get the fps you want with the graphics you desire

But yes just pay a few extra smackers on a 790 board you wont regret it.

Thanks!

The main #1 reason I am doing this is to (hopefully) fix the issues I'm having with the Call of Duty series.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P CrossFire 790X SB750 4DDR2 RAID 10usb HD AUDIO Firewire 2XPCIE16X (3YR MFG)

MB has this for 140.00 It's Crossfire compatible as well and suits your needs for cost. Should have play in overclockability.


Here is what the article said on the board that was only bad thing i really noticed for you.

"Turning our attention to the bottom half of the board, we can see a good selection of expansion slots. As this motherboard is based on the AMD 790X chipset, it does support Crossfire builds. However, much like Intel's similarly priced P45 chipset, the MA790X-UD4P is limited to a dual 8x PCI-E or a single 16x PCI-E configuration. Other expansion slots include three 1x PCI-E and two standard PCI slots. Overall, it's a good mix. The 8x crossfire limitation shouldn't prove too much of a problem unless you're running two top-end cards at high resolutions and max settings."

Phonix..

I would go with topsecret's suggestion. overall thats a good board, price range and features you want. For some reason I am thinking thats the board you can unlock certain amd cpu's to quad. Thats something i would have to google and confirm.

Crossfire is something I did for awhile. Some games will like it alot, others you wont notice much of a difference. But when I run 3dmark on one card, then both, I get a 20+ fps hike in some tests - I am stickin with x-fire.

best of luck with your decision and the build. Hope this step fixes the COD issue. Going AM2/AM3 gives you a little future proofing too.

http://www.mysterybyte.com/part/15187/

I see this board is also compatible with AM3 cpus (probably with BIOS update) Money is tight and I really can't squeeze the extra 40 out for the 790GX. Will this suit my needs as far as budget goes?

Grab a Biostar TA790GX 128MB, beautiful board, pretty legendary with overclockers and unlockers. I think its about $115

Almost every board made nowadays is good at what it does, just working. The more you pay for something, the more stuff you get with it.

What did I say about cheap Asus boards in the other thread.

Hence the word...."almost"....

That was for the OP's last post, not your comment, I should have quoted.

Meh, always got a chance to get a lemon anywyas, no matter how many QC stickers are on it.

http://www.mysterybyte.com/part/15060/

The best feature/price choice for PhII and DDR2 available at MB right now.