[larz]

Okay, motherboards don't need to be specifically designed to handle 45nm processors, The manufacturers add stuff like that to mislead people into thinking that only their motherboard will support something (because they are the only ones who actually SAY that they do).

Plus, you need an Nvidia chipset (6/7 series) to get the best out of your video card. An onboard Nvidia chipset will help you get more power out of overclocking, use less of your Front Side Bus during SLI, and protect your video card by allowing dynamic overclocking in response to overheating and over-overclocking.

Side note: When you order your processor make sure you order it from somebody who GUARANTEES G0 stepping. I bought mine from newegg and am biting my nails hoping, in account that there is a 50/50 chance of getting the outdated B3 stepping. (if they don't say anything about it they either don't know/care about it, and probably will give you the older model)



As for stock coolers, he has been using Dells, and if there is one thing that dell does right, it is cooling and ventilation. (With my stock dell cooler I had my 3.8ghz P4 overclocked to 5.6ghz, until XP decided that It didn't like anything over 4ghz)

aww damn. The motherboard i posted doesnt even have an onboard gfx system....

I guess ill keep looking around then.
Does it have to be nvidia? nvidia boards are so expensive. Can't i find an asus board or something as long as it has onboard gfx?