Re: [TOOLS] Motherboard and CPU

["Bryan Sherman" <bsherm -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Sounds like you have a good start. Tom's Hardware is a great resource, just
don't get seduced into getting the absolute best, look at the cost/benefit
ratio. Some tips:

1. Check the support sites for the products you are considering. If you can
find a support forum that can be an awesome way to scout out the product
before purchase.

2. Look to expandability. I recently bought a barebones ASUS setup. It can
support up to a Core 2 Duo. I don't need to spend the cash for that now, but
I can latter.

3. Avoid bleeding age. I actually put a 3 ghz celeron in it. More than
enough for my current needs, and $60 instead of over $200.

4. Check out how you can redeploy exisiting components. I had a nice 120 GB
hard drive. The board suports ESATA, but also has an IDE adaptor I could use
my existing hard drive, but am not locked out of the future with the ESATA
drives.

5. Don't fear built-ins. I can remember avoiding the built in Video Cards.
For most uses the built in video features are more than enough. This system
is for a Sharepoint server, I could care less about video performance.
Obviously if I was doing video editing on it, whole 'nother ball of wax.

6. Have fun. What can I say, I am an unrepentant geek. That combined with
being a cheapskate who is concerned about quality makes me a good fit for
these projects... :-)

You may want to chack out Newegg.com. They have good prices, and the
customer reviews are helpful as well.

Good luck.


On 2/27/07, Kevin McLauchlan <kmclauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> wrote: