Which motherboard should I choose?

Question

I am thinking of getting this cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221  , but I don't know what motherboard I have now.  I don't know the specifics of what a motherboard does.  I don't want to go overkill on it, but I need something that will run XP and possibly upgrade to 64 bit windows 7 later on and fit my 4GB of DDR3 RAM and possibly a graphics card, and wireless card and have more than 2 USB ports.  Do motherboards usually work with the next generations of cpus if I want to upgrade in a few years, or will I probably need to upgrade later as well?

? · Accepted Answer

How are you going to buy a CPU when you dont know what motherboard you have? I suggest you find out what motherboard you have my looking up the specs of w/e computer you have.

That CPU can run any OS just fine.  It is a 64-bit processor so it can run 64-bit OS's.

Im not sure if your trying to fit 4GB of RAM, a graphics card, and a wireless card into your existing Mobo or a new one you will purchase.  Any modern motherboard will be able to hold all those things, easily.  And most motherboards these days come with at least 4 USB ports.

Another thing you might want to look into is socket types.  The CPU you are looking into has a 1156 socket, so make sure the motherboard you have, or are going to get, has the same socket.


EDIT: Definitely don't go with a motherboard from Supermicro.  Go with good brand names, usually better quality and customer service.  Also, go with stuff that has good reviews and high ratings.  NewEgg also has forums where you can ask questions about builds and stuff

IBMGuy · Answer

Don't buy the cpu until you know that it will definitely work with your motherboard. You say you have 4Gb DDR3 so I assume you have quite a recent motherboard but if it is an AMD cpu type board then the Intel cpu will obviously not work.
If you look on the mother board it should have a model number printed on it, usually near the PCI slots or at the very bottom edge. 
 (Google the model number) check on the manufacturers website to see if the new cpu will work with it,.
As you do not know what type and make of motherboard you have, No one can recommend one to you if you wanted to replace your current Motherboard. In either case a Gigabyte or Asus board Will be the best ones to go for.

? · Answer

If you want to find out the motherboard you have there are two ways. First is looking at the board itself. It should have a brand name and a model number printed somewhere near the processor or pci slots. The second way is to download aida. It is free software you should be able to find from a google search. Aida will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about anything that is inside your computer, except for some motherboards from OEM's (like Dell, HP, Gateway etc).

For what to upgrade to if you want, take a look here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=13&sel=Price;Price4

Wylor · Answer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182239R&cm_re=i3_motherboard-_-13-182-239R-_-Product

Also has plenty of room to expand upon. Not very many i3 mobos out there, this is probably the best bet for your dollar.

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Which motherboard should I choose?

4 Answers