Which motherboard?

C

Cameron

New Member
Hi everyone.

I'm probably going to buy the QX9650 when it comes out in a few days, if it turns out to be around $1000 and no more.

I can't decide what MB to put it in though...

I am running some Corsair Dominator DDR2 1066Mhz. So I was thinking the MSI P35 Platinum?

I won't be likely to run SLI so I don't need 680i, and I won't be running DDR3 for a long time yet so don't want to go X38.

I'm also planning on OCing the processor to probably around 4Ghz, with the FSB up to maybe 1500 or 1600Mhz. So I need something that can happily handle that FSB without custom cooling (Antec 900 with all possible fans, and a Thermalright Ultra-120e on the proc, though), and that can assist me favorably with the processor OC.

Suggestions?
 
Well... you marked most of the good ones out... x38, 680i...

I'd go for an P35-DS3L or better. Gigabyte's boards, not MSI...
 
What are the benefits of Gigabyte compared to MSI?

I was inclined toward the MSI because I had read that their whole 'Circu-Pipe' get up was quite efficient. I figured that meant it could handle a bit of a FSB overclock.

This might be completely misinformed, but I had also believed the Gigabyte were extremely capable and reliable products, but not necessarily targeted at or ideal for overclocking. Could somebody please clarify this for me?

Thanks so far guys.
 
With Thermalright Ultra-120e, you might face installation problem because the 'Circu-Pipe' could be in the way. I am not sure if this is true since I have no experience with either one, but from looking at pictures of both parts, looks like its gonna be a problem. Look around for other people's reviews about this combo and see whether they have the problem I mentioned.
 
IMO, MSI Platinum is the better MB if you pay the same $$ for Gigabyte MB. When you compare the spec, you may find it spec compariable to P35 DS4 which is more expensive.
 
I think that the Ultra-120e will fit into the MSI board, having looked around the net a little (saw some screenshots of some gigantic heatsink cooler's fitting quite well). I did notice that the SB heatsink is quite large though. Can anyone comment on the fit of an XFX 8800GTX XXX with this SB?

I should mention I am now looking at the DDR2/DDR3 combo boards, having discovered that they can support DDR2 1066 and DDR3 1333 (I consider this necessary to be decent future proofing and worth the extra money). As such my option with Gigabyte would be the GA-P35C-DS3R as I would also like support for RAID.

MSI's offering would be the P35 Platinum Combo. I like this board, but the spec sheet only lists it as DDR3 1066. Does anybody know whether this can actually OC to DDR3 1333 like the offerings from Asus and Gigabyte? Also why is it much more expensive than the Gigabyte and Asus counterparts? And Asus more so than Gigabyte? Is it a statement on quality/reliability or something else?

Finally, the Asus P5KC supports everything I need as well. It's SB is only ICH9, not ICH9R - yet the spec sheet states that it can support RAID. How is this possible? Will I run into difficulties?

So - MSI P35 Platinum Combo, Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R, Asus P5KC.

Which one? I need RAID 0, Yorkfield support, DDR2 1066, DDR3 1333. And it must be able to handle a FSB OC and be good for OCing the proc.
 
Haha it might seem that way, but unfortunately money is an issue. I just think that it would be financially efficient in the long run to upgrade to that particular processor right now. 45nm, 1333Mhz, SSE4, MASSIVELY overclockable. It is ideal for future proofing. It will last me for a very long time, and remain the top of the game for most of it.

I guess I'll rule out the MSI.

Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R or Asus P5KC?

Anyone had personal experiences with either of these boards? They are both basically identical in specs. Just a matter of which will fit my needs best and I can't comment on that...
 
Get the Gigabyte, it sounds cooler :) LOL

I think it would be money better spent to get a halfway decent processor now like the q6600 and an awsome motherbaord, then when the price comes down on the Q9650 buy it then. further future proofing your sytem and costing a whole hell of a lot less!

My 2¢
 
Asus is more picky with memory. I'd go for the one that supports PCIe 2.0 (if they do..), great overclocking features, and support for 45nm processors.
 
oscaryu1 said:
Asus is more picky with memory. I'd go for the one that supports PCIe 2.0 (if they do..), great overclocking features, and support for 45nm processors.
Click to expand...

As far as I know only the X38 will support PCIe2.0.

And he already rulled that out so . . . whatever.
 
I have pretty much decided on the Gigabyte. Seems like the best board by a long shot. I'll buy Thermalright MOSFET and NB/SB coolers to make up for its lack of that sort of thing.

Does the SB really require cooling? Could I just leave it with it's stock cooling and install custom cooling on the NB and MOSFET?

Given an 8800GTX is going to come out over the SB, I will need to install the HR-05 IFX/SLI on the SB if anything, won't I? And then for NB... just the HR-05 IFX I think will fit. Does this sound okay?

Also, on the picture of the MB... it doesn't look like the MOSFET coolers (HR-09) would even fit. Is this the case? Hard to tell, and I've no experience with this sort of thing.
 
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