I've been researching motherboards and it seems the Asrock ConroeXFire-Sata2 is the most compatible but doesn't really allow for overclocking (at least not well.) Newegg has an open box of the Asus P5L-VM 1394 for $49 but after doing some searching I haven't really found anything solid here on the forums about it, but according to the HCL, it seems pretty compatible. The Asus P5LD2 also seems to be a favorite, at least the -VM version. I, however, can't find a P5LD2-VM in stock anywhere to save my life. Is there any difference other than the size of the motherboard? So it comes down to these three, unless anyone has better suggestions. Which one do you think would be the best all around?

nobody has any suggestions?

-VM just means it has onboard video (V) and is in mATX (M) format. If you don't need onboard or small factor any P5LD2 will do.

Ah, thanks. :-) Do you think the P5LD2 would be the best choice?

i use AMD X2 + Abit KN9 all work!!

Definitely the p5ld2-vm is the best.
It's has excellent support in windows, OS X, and Linux. It's also is an economical choice because it has on-board video (GMA950) which is fully supported by OS X and has decent performance for non-gamers. If you
like playing graphics intensive games then you should buy a discrete (separate) graphics card like the ATI x1600 which is also fully supported by OS X using Natit.

The downsides of this board is overclocking. If you don't do serious overclocking, then this is the board for you.

The P5LD2-VM is next to impossible to find so it looks like the regular P5LD2 is a good choice and seems to be a favorite. I do like the firewire port on the P5L-VM 1394 though, so has anybody has any experience with that board?

bump

anybody running the P5L-VM 1394 ?
how well does it overclock ?

It should be a fine board, I found ASUS P5L series to be good over-clockers (see my sig.) There is a full set of OCing options in BIOS, so if you take your time with voltages and ratios you will be fine. The auto overclocking option is fairly crap.

I would add another motherboard. I have just built my hackintosh around this board here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128049

It is one of the new 945G chipsets, is micro ATX (I needed that for a case I had. features a full PCIE X16 (Not crippled down to 4X like most 945G chipsets), GMA950 Video. it also supports the later of the core 2 duos like the E4300 as well as 1066 FSB without "overclocking" and with the uphuck 103 I have full gigabit, sound in and out, SATA and great overclocking options. well worth the $57.99

forget the asrock, only 2ch output sound, no input.

AFAIK only a few Asrock mobos were crippled to 4X. I can't think of any other board that was 4X.