The specs on a motherboard will tell you what CPUs they support. The same socket type as the CPU doesn’t mean the motherboard supports it. Some issues are that voltage may vary, and the board might not support the speed. Other reasons exist, check the motherboard specifications.
That’s the board I’m currently using, although I put it in place prior to the release of dual-core CPUs. As I hope to upgrade again soon, I checked and it does indeed support all current flavors of Socket 939 dual-core CPUs with its latest BIOS.
Thank you, wont have to check that up now.
But I’m a little bit worried that apprently my coding shows I can’t use a keyboard, let alone a motherboard!
The Asus board you’re looking at does not support dual-core processors, so you’re paying almost $100 extra for the ability to use SLI graphics cards and losing some expandibility. I said it above, but I’ll say it again – the newest nForce430 chipset machines, with built in GeForce 6100 graphics, are a steal. For less than half of what you’re considering paying, you can have a motherboard with built-in graphics that supports all of the current hardware standards. Sorry if I sound like a salesman, but I have been researching a new motherboard purchase for the last three months, read reviews, checked pros and cons, and I’m convinced that this motherboard is going to be upgradeable for another four or five years, and it won’t become inadequate for gaming until around the six-year point.
Just want to back up my statement with a little cite:
Also, you may want to look at ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939. Only $11.00 more. “What’s the difference”, you ask? The Premium comes exchanges a noisy northbridge fan that I had to disassemble and replace on my Deluxe with passive cooling. ASUS probably did this in response to complaints from people like me. That little fan made my otherwise quiet PC nearly unbearable.
I only see the GeForce 6100 in MicroATX. Fine for small form factor, but I much prefer ATX (haven’t tried BTX yet). Doesn’t mean 6100 is only MicroATX, only that is the only way I’ve seen it. I also shy away from any onboard graphics for any gaming computer. But that’s me. I wouldn’t build if I couldn’t slot at least $150 for a 6600GT at this stage.
Just a follow up: I understand nVidia’s latest forceware drivers allow one to mix and match videocard brands.
Psst. If windows is throwing up wierd errors while you’re swapping motherboards, that’s your cue to turn the machine off. 
Just because you’ve had good experiences doesn’t invalidate others’. It looks like most people are offering their own experiences, and what worked.
Personally, I have tried to replace motherboard and processor with a given Win XP install twice, and neither time worked. The first time was going from a PIII to a Duron (and the obvious change of board), and the second time was, essentially, going back (although to a different PIII and board than the original). Both times, I could not boot Windows, and it failed to repair the installation. I had to do a fresh install.
I agree, this is my thread (getting defensive) and people have actually helped me here, for which I am very thankful.
Oh, and what does ‘FUD’ mean? Can’t guess it.
Harry
The Swap can be easily done, but there’s quite a bit more to it than mentioned in this thread. I’m pressed for time right now, so:
Take special note of the first post on page 2 about copying your hardware profile. It will allow you a safe return to your old setup, if needed.
http://motherboard.windowsreinstall.com/
This one might also be useful.
Just a tip, while most boards from any of the big ones (and a few new ones) will ‘do the job’, the Biostar boards are known as not very good (generally speaking).