Backwards compatible motherboards?

mrtommy

mrtommy

mrtommy

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21 Sep 2010
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I'm looking to get a new motherboard and processor because at the moment the only processors my motherboard can support are pentium 4s. (I have a Gigabyte 8S648FX-RZ with a 478 socket)
Problem is, I can't afford to upgrade everything else I have, but don't want to have to then buy another motherboard in future when I do want to upgrade.

What I have:
-radeon 3850 AGP graphics card
-2GB DDR 400 RAM (PC3200)
-maxtor 6B200P0 200 gb hard drive (ATA-133 interface)
-a decent enough power supply to run the graphics card and everything else (can't remember what it is exactly)
as well as the motherboard and a 3.2ghz pentium 4


So what I want to know is if I can get a decent motherboard and processor, with the motherboard having both AGP and PCI-E slots, and being compatible with both DDR and DDR3 RAM, so I can easily upgrade in future if i feel like it. It would also need to be compatible with my hard drive.

I don't know much about motherboards so I don't know if this is all possible or not, so let me know.
Also, if someone could suggest a good (but cheap) processor to go with it that would be great.
 
Hi,

Interesting problem, but I think you're going to be disappointed with the answer. The short answer is No. A few points:

1) AGP: You'll not get a new motherboard with an AGP slot on it. These haven't been around for a few years now. They've not even released any new AGP cards for 2 years now I think.

2) RAM: You used to be able to get boards with different ram slots on for different types of RAM. I remember having one, but I've not seen them for a few years either. The latest motherboards are all DDR3, but there are a few with DDR2 still for sale. Since you've got DDR memory this will have to be replaced. There's no point going for DDR2 as it isn't really cheaper anymore. DDR3 is the cheapest it's ever been at the moment - 4GB for around £40 (I paid £100 for 4GB in the summer).

3) Hard Drive: You should be able to get a motherboard with the right connection for your hard drive, but there aren't that many around.

Basically, because you're system is getting on a bit, it'll have to be a completely new system just about.

Hope that helped.


EDIT
Just had a look at some products on OCUK and the cheapest I can come up with for AMD mobo that is compatible with your hard drive, Athlon Dual Core and 4GB Ram is £121.97. Only problem is you'd need a graphics card too.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-248-AM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-300-GI
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-183-OC
 
Last edited:
mrtommy said:
So what I want to know is if I can get a decent motherboard and processor, with the motherboard having both AGP and PCI-E slots, and being compatible with both DDR and DDR3 RAM, so I can easily upgrade in future if i feel like it. It would also need to be compatible with my hard drive.

.
Click to expand...

Only thing really compatiable is your hard disk. Have seen boards (P5K-C comes to mind) that take either DDR2 or DDR3 but never DDR, also its not ideal to have different standards as it adds to complexity and may make the board underperform or be mediocre with whatever standard you use. AGP is a no go really, i've seen one or two Core2 boards with AGP but nothing with newer sockets so thats a dead end.

Hefner said:
This might be of some interest

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/content.php?S_ID=440
Click to expand...


How? Thats about what he has now!
 
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