My plans are to purchase a barebones unit with only the power supply, motherboard, and CPU. All other components will be transferred from my old unit. (20 gig HD, modem, CD drive, CD/rewrite.) All components are less then one year old. I plan to use dual monitors and will purchase new video cards as needed. The unit will be for trading and also for running accounting software such as quickbooks. I see in the archives that the asus P4C800E motherboard is the most often recommend. Is this the best motherboard? Or is it overkill? Which CPU is the best for this combination? I know there's been some talk about this recently, but I'd appreciate the help of those with more knowledge then I have on the subject.
1. For your purpose, virtually any P4 class MB will be more than adequate.... and the price difference isn't much between a MB with lots of bells and whistles and one with few. 2. In a reader's poll on a Geek site, Asus was voted #1 by about a 4:1 ratio. 3. PC speed isn't much of an issue for most traders... OS, adequate ram, and maybe internet connection are all that really matter. Therefore, I'd avoid the fastest CPU both from a cost standpoint and heat issues.
Personally, I always build my computers with Intel motherboards and Intel CPU's. Over the years I have found various compatibility issues using others so I stick with Intel. I've found Intel's customer service to be excellent, also.
A point to consider... I use MetaStock Pro (charting), and their tech recommends "Intel all the way... MB, CPU, chipset" for reliability issues. I have done that and have had virtually zero problems over the years.
Take your pick: http://www.supermicro.com/Product_page/product-m.htm My favorite at this time, given price/performance: http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/MotherBoards/GC_HE/P4QH8.htm nitro
Agree with Nitro... built last two pc's with SuperMicro boards, never had any problems with the chipset, and the bios is easy to use, and configure. Intel boards are always good boards, but sometimes the 'smaller' makers get newest/latest technology out to the retail market quicker than the bigger companies.
My tech knowledge is kind of limited, but I do have access to some good techs. Their favorite by consensus is ASUS (for their bullet-proof reliability) with Intel in second place (due mainly to the effective warranty/replacement policy). I went with ASUS and AMD and I have been extremely pleased with the result.
Phreedm, You've been given great advise thus far. I will only add that you should not skimp on the power supply or cooling fan. I build all of the servers and PCs for our company, and these components can be the cause of blue screens and/or lock ups. My personal computer is dual-boot, one OS for the trading software, and the other OS for everything else. Installing many applications can create instability and over-all sluggishness in a machine. I wanted maximum stability for trading, thus the dedicated OS just for this purpose.
I too prefer Intel's own motherboards over the other brands--they have proven far more reliable amongst my customers (for whom I build or recommend PCs) than other brands. ASUS and Tyan are the other two brands I recommend, but if it were up to me, it's genuine Intel all the way. And I certainly agree with NET. Go get yourself a great case and power supply. Antec and PC Power & Cooling make awesome no-nonsense cases and power supplies, as do several hot-rod case makers (transparent with neon lighting, etc.) And don't forget COOLING. Get a top-quality CPU fan with a copper heatsink and Arctic Silver thermal compound to join it to the CPU.