Motherboard?

[Bionicman]

Hello Everyone, I am getting ready to start my first build....so far I have bought the following:

A-top Case (http://www.dealsonic.com/atatatxmidto4.html)
WD 80 gig 8mb cache hd

I know, not much yet :) my next step is going to be the motherboard....i am gonna put a P4 2.4ghz processor in it, and i would like to have a mobo with front 1394 firewire as well as USB2.0 because my case has the ports for them in the front....can someone please suggest a good one that would suite my needs?

If you need more info, just let me know, also any other building (or wiring, wow there are a lot of wires in that case!) advice would be welcomed :)

Thanks
Dennis

[DrZaius]

Hi Dennis,

Check out the Asus P4PE, there are several models with different feature (RAID, LAN, etc.) but they all fit your USB2.0 and FireWire needs. Hope that helps.

[kissfan]

hey thats a cool looking case there.

Wish I could get that here in Blighty, but your guys want too many $ for shipping.

[Nuclear Krusader]

ABit IT7 MAX2 V.2.0. It packs 10 USB 2.0 ports and 3 FW ports, two in the back and there's a connector on the mobo for another one in the front. Plus it has RAID, SATA and supports the newer P4s with HyperThreading technology.

[Bionicman]

ok, thanks for the help! my next question (remember i am new to the building :) ) what is RAID and SATA?

Thanks
Dennis

[Nuclear Krusader]

RAID = Redundant Array of Independent Drives.

SATA = Serial ATA, the new interface for HDs.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Here, check these links:

RAID (http://www.pcmech.com/show/harddrive/296/)

SATA (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/Serial_ATA.html)

[morriswindgate]

RAID = Virtually useless unles you want to buy two hard drives and only have the capacity of one. Speed increase is not worth the cost.

SATA - Still not down enough in price to be reasonable. If the board comes with at a reasonable price then ok, but if you can get the same model board without it for less go for it.

USB 2.0 - Get it! This is probably the potentially most useful feature as more printers and other USB accessories are introduced that use it.

[Bionicman]

Thanks, you have been a lot of help!!!

[bounty]

does USB 2.0 devices fit lower USB?

bounty

[chip]

DrZ.

You mentioned that the ASUS P4PE boards are Firewire-ready. Looking at the ASUS P4PE/L I don't see Firewire. do you know for sure that it has it, because I'm leaning towards the ASUS P4PE/R/L/SATA for that reason and if I can save a few bucks...

Thanks.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally posted by bounty
does USB 2.0 devices fit lower USB?

bounty
A USB 2.0 port will accept USB 1.0 devices no problem.

But you can't plug an USB 2.0 device to a USB 1.0 port.