GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

[MadMax2911]

Hi all It has come to my attention that I need to consider the different variables involved in searching for a new Mobo. I need assistance in searching for the correct Mobo to use the existing parts on hand. The search help is due to the age of this hardware its about 3 (or more) years old. Most sites will not want to sell this older hardware, so I was hoping you could give me some help. I also need to match parts to a Pentium 4 630 CPU (3.0GHz).
The need springs from a recent event where a SATA port burned out and took one hard drive with it(hard drive RMA'd already). I believe a heat Spewing Nvidia 8800GTS video card contributed to this problem and also the lack of heat sink on the south bridge too(maybe not?) In any case, I have trouble using the web to search for older stuff, and thats where you people come in to the mix. There may be websites out there that I am not aware of or search engines as well. IE recently allowed the user to add search providers, but the question remains which search providers?
I also started a thread regarding memory problems with this board it can be found here. http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/8i94...e-eek-_-31652/

The specs are:
MOBO --GA-8I945P-G (this part will be replaced soon)
CPU----Intel Pentium 4 630 code name Prescott L2 cache 2MB 3.0 Ghz
I know this is not the best cpu to have, but its not a top of the line build.
RAM----SuperTalent T800UA1GC5 DDR2 PC6400 CL5 (2 x 1Gig)
GRAPHICS-Nvidia Geforce 6600GT 128MB onboard ram (again not the best but adequate)
AUDIO-----onboard Realtek
HARD DRIVE--WD 250G RE riding on the ITE 8212 IDE RAID controller in IDE mode.
P.S.----------Athena power EPS 12V-550W
CASE---------Aopen

I found one so far its the GA-P35-S3G at where else, but pc-work-shop.com

http://stores.pc-work-shop.com/-strse-38/Gigabyte-GA-dsh-P35-dsh-S3G-ATX-MB/Detail.bok

Here is the Gigabyte link for the CPU http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...ProductID=2729

Feel free to Add your comments about any webstores that you like or dislike reguarding older parts purchases. Also if you have any boards to recommend that would be a plus too.

Thank you for any and all input. Let me know if I have made any mistakes.

MadMax2911 out

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Any of the P35 models would be great for that setup, how much are you wanting to spend?

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Any of the P35 models would be great for that setup, how much are you wanting to spend?

Oh Hi lsdmeasap, I would not want to spend a lot, but aprox 100.00 US might just get it done. Also taking into consideration this board would have required a PCI-E controller for SATA drives costing 30.00 to 40.00.
So I may be saving the 30-40 dollars and putting it in a new board(with RAID support? or not I realize I cant be too picky)

Also the PCI-E controller reference above made me think about the need for RAID if this becomes a server for my home files and maybe home movies.

Here is another link GIGABYTE - Product - Motherboard - Specification - GA-P35-S3G
I found using the google search for products which is a first time for me. I simply went to google and clicked on the more link and then shopping link then advanced product search and entered my search terms. What do you think about this one the CPU is OK at least. No onboard RAID oh well You see it is difficult to search for products that are discontinued IMO, but not impossible.

I also have a crappy power supply from Athena power that has voltage fluctuations Any Reccomendations?

Do you reccomend any search engines for IE7? Or to search any websites in particular? Thanks Tons

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Well the S models are budget boards and that would not have RAID so you may want something better.

P35 or P45 mainstream boards with ICH9R or ICH10R would be fine and you can get either around the $100 mark I just checked to be sure about P45 supporting that CPU and I looked at the UD3R and it does from BIOS F4 onwards. So I think you could get a P45 even if you wanted

I use Google and Firefox myself, hate IE

Here is some I found for you since you are in the US >>>

GA-EP45-UD3R $119 (104 after MIR)
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Same as above, $2 cheaper
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Pentium dual-core/Celeron dual-core /Celeron Socket 775 1600 MHz PC2-10600 (DDR2-1333) ATX Motherboard Retail at ZipZoomfly



GA-EP45-UD3P ($97 w/ Free Shipping OPEN Box)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Pentium dual-core/Celeron dual-core /Celeron Socket 775 1600 MHz PC2-10600 (DDR2-1333) ATX Motherboard OpenBox at ZipZoomfly

Same as above (Retail $129 w/ 20 MIR =109)
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Pentium dual-core/Celeron dual-core /Celeron Socket 775 1600 MHz PC2-10600 (DDR2-1333) ATX Motherboard Retail at ZipZoomfly



GA-EP45-DS3R

$109
mwave.com: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R intel p45 chipset ATX form factor 2xPCI-E(x16)/3xPCI-E(x1)/2xpci/4xddr2 w/sata2 raid,dual lan(gb),1394,usb 2.0 & audio (cpu type:intel - socket 775)

$90 (Open Box)
Newegg.com - Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard


Then of course you also have ebay! Many deals can be found on ebay for sure! If you would like me to find you something on there let me know what and I will have a look.

Like here, P35-DS3P $75 free shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P INTEL P35 Core 2 New (Rev 2.1) - eBay (item 170321124055 end time May-13-09 16:52:06 PDT)

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Well the S models are budget boards and that would not have RAID so you may want something better.

P35 or P45 mainstream boards with ICH9R or ICH10R would be fine and you can get either around the $100 mark I just checked to be sure about P45 supporting that CPU and I looked at the UD3R and it does from BIOS F4 onwards. So I think you could get a P45 even if you wanted

Yes most of these boards will work for me as I just realized. What stumped me was the EP45-DS3R uses VRD 11.1 technology, " VRD 11.1 Power phase and is not compatible with VRD 10 designed CPU" (gigabyte website). With this in mind I thought all boards with the EP45 number were VRD 11.1 power phase boards, wrong
So, I see I am learning something else new
now I look at different boards and prices (deals).

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Reporting back Guys, looks like I found something and I bought it. It is the GA-EP45-UD3LR board. I was originally going to get a open box board (UD3R) but the ran out and said choose something else.
Being that I had already gave them my information and they said they would make substitution for me I chose the UD3LR board.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

That is a cheaper board, did they give you any $$ back? That should be a decent choice, I just did not suggest it earlier because the boards with "L" in the name are budget and your price range was above a budget board so I thought I should advise a better quality set of boards to you

Ya the VRD power thing is confusing, you just have to check which models support which CPU's at gigabyte's site is all.

So you have the board yet, or still waiting on delivery?

[Psycho101]

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

That is a cheaper board, did they give you any $$ back? That should be a decent choice, I just did not suggest it earlier because the boards with "L" in the name are budget and your price range was above a budget board so I thought I should advise a better quality set of boards to you

Ya the VRD power thing is confusing, you just have to check which models support which CPU's at gigabyte's site is all.

So you have the board yet, or still waiting on delivery?

Hi Guys, no they did not give any money back due to the open box item I was considering was 30-40 cheaper than this one at 97.49 plus 8.53 tax and 15.14 shipping charge. The total cost was an affordable 121.16 at Mwave.com I also figured on purchasing a power supply, due to the crappy one I had on hand. I heard that crappy Power supplies can cause much damage to many parts if they go out.
As soon as I free up some time, I will finish setting it up LOL. Only thing lacking is a floppy to flash the BIOS and a hard drive for the OS. Maybe later I will try RAID with Vista 64 bit but not now.
I will swap out a floppy from another PC for the flashing and maybe use a USB floppy for future performance tests and such. USB floppy will be good right?, for reflashing if needed?
Thanks for the thoughts Psycho101 some of that stuff can be installed with add-in cards LOL. Yeah I saw that the coolers are missing but shoot its only a backup PC and maybe will do some other experimenting with it like Linux??
It has 4 phaze LEDs compared to the DS3R's 6 LEDs.
will think about that processor thanks.
If I had purchased two Ga-8i945P-G board way back then I would not be here now replacing this part burned out board.
I also realize after writing that this board is as Lsdmeasap says a "cheaper board" but its mine now so I learn another lesson in "the rules of aquisition" (the ferengi Rules of Aquisition from Star Trek). See here ->>> http://www.sjtrek.com/trek/rules/

MadMax out

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Rules
1. Once you (the seller) have their money, never give it back.
(and if they did give it back they will still charge a handling fee. LOL )
4 A deal is a deal....until a better one comes along.
19 Satisfaction is not garanteed.
239 Never be afraid to mislabel a product.

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Well everything seems stable on this machine now. I may do some testing with prime 95 this weekend. Right now I am building a slipstreamed disc with SP3 and also SATA AHCI drivers on it (plus some others too). I am using the Nlite program and the windows XP cd and information from this website Slipstream Service Pack 3 into Your Windows XP Installation CD - Customization - Lifehacker

Max out

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Sounds like all is well now right?

If so great, good luck on your tweaking and testing!!

[MadMax2911]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Sounds like all is well now right?

If so great, good luck on your tweaking and testing!!

Yes this PC seems to be OK even though it has some outdated hardware but I cannot complain too much. I have to accept this setup for now because its just a backup PC (the GA-EP45-UD3LR). And as far as the testing and OCing I can only lower the multiplier down one number then I raise the frontside bus speed a little at a time. There are no great speed gains to be had at this time, due to the hardware limitations. So I might as well just leave well enough alone. I can still test with the prime 95 and maybe 3DMark 06 plus others.
Thanks a lot for all your help
Max out

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-8I945P-G Looking for Mobo to replace current one

Glad to see all is well.

Ya since you just have it for a old backup then you are good to go, no need to benchmark on it unless you are feeling bored