Some help with Motherboard and CPU choices

[the last resort]

Since I have now found out that my motherboard is fried, I need to buy another one. I'm not sure whether it should be DDR2 or DDR3. Probably DDR2 based since I have 6GB of it already, and I don't have a huge budget ($325 at most.) Basically what I'm asking is is what motherboard would you guys recommend, and what to do about a CPU. I do 3D animation is 3ds max, and quite a bit of gaming, so a quad would be preferable. The 6000+ i have now is pretty good, so I wouldn't have a problem with keeping it for a while.

My understanding is that AM2+ motherboards support AM3 processors, but only DDR2 ram. An AM3 motherboard supports only AM3 processors and DDR3 ram. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

I know that no one will know, but does anybody have any ideas as to when the PII 955 (?) is going to cost? I can wait a few more months to save some money to get a different proc. then.

So, the motherboard that I've found, and like is the Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

I think it is pretty good for $110. However, the UD5P looks a bit nicer with more features, but it is AM3 so I am assuming that I can't use that with an AM2 processor.

I hope you guys have some input. A huge thanks for any help offered.

 

[aevm]

I'd get this combo for $304:
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/AddToCart.aspx?Submit=ADD&ItemList=Combo.165047
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Alternatively, you could switch to Intel and get a Q9550 and a GA-EP45-UD3P. That has no upgrade path and costs $380, but it's faster.

You're right, you can't use an AM2 CPU in an AM3 board.

 

[aevm]

One more thing: if you take my advice and get the Phenom II 940, don't bother upgrading it to Phenom II 955 later, of course. The difference won't be worth the price of the new CPU.

 

[the last resort]

thanks for the advice.

i think for now im just going to pick up a new MOBO, and then in 4 months i can pick up a new Proc. Maybe by then I will have enough money to buy a 4870 with it. I am right in saying that the PII 955 supports DDR3 right? I think that is what I read today.

 

[aevm]

Right, it's AM3. You'd have to buy an AM3 board and DDR3 now, then the CPU later.

You're better off IMO if you buy an AM2+ board now and reuse the DDR2 you already have. Then upgrade to Phenom II 940. You'd save about $100 from the RAM and (guessing) $50 or more from the CPU. That money could get you an upgrade to HD 4890 or HD 4850 X2 or GTX 285, or a second HD 4870. A 3.0 GHz Phenom + HD 4870 Crossfire would be much better in games than a 3.2 GHz Phenom + HD 4870.

 

[the last resort]

ok. so that Gigabyte board I'm looking at right now is OK?

 

[aevm]

Yeah, it's good stuff.

If you want the Phenom II 955, check this page from time to time. Buy the CPU when it appears there.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=3031#anchor_os

When you see it listed there, get the BIOS update from here:
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=3031#anchor_os

If you settle for the Phenom II 940, you won't need a BIOS update (it's already supported in BIOS release F1, the initial release).