Is the Gigabyte a decent motherboard? will it handle future processors like the quad cores etc? Will probably go for the GeIL memory if it's highly recommended.
I can see me going for the specifications you've recommended me as it seems AMD is now but gone by the majority of peeps here.
Like I said in another thread tonight:
Honestly... Do you NEED to stay loyal to AMD? I mean they won;t know that you haven't bought thier parts and they are still making LOADS of cash due to OEM market and servers... Us enthuisats are a TINY portion of the market...
Not having a go but a lot of people are going to tell you that a total overhaul atm will end best with an Intel system.
Here's how things are panning out:
AMD:
All new chips that AMD make will be able to fit into AM2 boards.(While they are on DDR2 at least) So all current chips (X2's) and the Phenoms will fit in AM2. The new AM2+ boards unlock SOME of the new features etc of the phenom and low power usage. AM3 is the next big step (current CPU's are still compatible I think, Phenoms deffinatly are) and that is out middle/end next year.
Intel:
Socket 775, Still going strong imo. Has got until end of next year before Intel relase their new chips which will use a new socket design. For now all dual cores and quad cores work in the 775 and the new 65nm (smaller and better) Penryn chips *should* work in most socket 775 boards.
If your going to go AMD at least wait till the AM2+ boards are out, which should be before the middle of next year. If your upgrading now the best bang for buck and performance is Intel. If your upgrading in a year/year and half anyway then it shouldn't matter.
I STILL am an AMD fan but when I upgraded I couldn't justify spending either the same or sometimes more for less performance... It just didn't make sense in my head.
The gigabyte board should be fine for what you want. Here's the specs:
GA-G31MX-S2 supports Intel latest high performance CPU delivers the most energy-efficient performance available today. Based on Intel's Micro Architecture, the Intel multi-core processors with 4 cores and two shared L2 caches provide the best capability-per-watt solutions and are an ideal choice for multi-media enthusiasts and intensive multi-tasking environments. This cutting-edge processor offers significant performance boosts and provides an overall more energy efficient platform
- Support for an Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme processor/ Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor/Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor/ Intel® Pentium® processor Extreme Edition/Intel® Pentium® D processor/ Intel® Pentium® 4 processor Extreme Edition/Intel® Pentium® 4 processor/ Intel® Celeron® processor in the LGA 775 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
- 1333/1066/800 MHz FSB
- Solid capacitors design in CPU VRM
- Dual Channel DDR2 800 for outstanding system performance
- Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (Intel® GMA 3100)
- 1 x PCI Express x16 slot
- 1 x PCI Express x4 slot
- 2 x PCI slots
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s
- Features high speed Gigabit Ethernet
- Integrated 8-Channel High Definition audio
I think it will take the new 45nm penryn chips with a BIOS update as well.
Geil RAM is very good IMO. I have had it for a while in a few PC's and it's still going strong. If you don't it don't get it because we tell you to... Just don't spend over £50 for 2GB
Edit: Go
HERE and scroll down. Shows the G31 chipset to be compaitible with the new Penryn cores
