Motherboard suggestions please

D

DaWolffe

n00b
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
10
I am getting an e6600 from a friend..

I have almost decided on a GA-p35-d3sl

Don't wanna spend more than $100 for a board, dont need sli since i am a broke fool..

So.. is there another board that is decent for cheaper?

From what I have read, dual channel memory not that important? HELP!!!

I swear I am gunna go bald, and my wife is gunna kill me..

Her words to me tonight...

"Friggin figure it out or stfu!, i mean like i care about a stupid computer...."
 
"Friggin figure it out or stfu!, i mean like i care about a stupid computer...."
Click to expand...

I'm not going to be much help, but god knows I've heard those words before:(
 
Go for the IP35-E or the GA-P35-DS3L as you already picked. Either board would be great for that chip and they fit within your budget. All current boards for Core2 chips support dual channel memory. What RAM are you getting?
 
I went ahead and purchased the GA-P35-DS3L

The memory I got is the Corsair xms2 twin2x2048-6400c5dhx

What do ya think?

I'm still struggling with the video card to get.. I really dont want to spend a bunch of money.

I bid on a 8600gts on ebay, but to me a used card for more than 60-70 bucks when i can get off ebay for what 130? doesnt seem right...
 
To suggest a video card, we need more info.

Will you be gaming with this system?
If so, what games will you be playing and at what resolution/settings?
What size monitor do you have or plan on getting? (CRT or LCD?)
Will you be watching any HD content with this system?
 
Right now I have a 21" CRT but I am planning on getting a widescreen LCD Prolly a 19"

I don't play alot of games... I do play World of warcraft, but alot of the new DX10 games look good. I play c&c3 and would like to play world in conflict.

I don't need to do HD content. Have a full blown home theater setup. However I have thought about running HD to my 46" Sony LCD for fun LoL.

My problem is this... I don't want to spend more than 100-150 right now, technology seems to be changing and I cant see buying a video card for what I can buy an xbox 360 or ps3 for...

So.. let me have it.. Where should I be throwing my money away to!

BTW I appreciate the help =)
 
So, if you're leaning more towards a $100 budget, the newly released ATI Radeon HD3650 may be your best bet, or the 8600GT. If you up your budget to around $170, the HD3850 is your best choice. WoW isn't very demanding. If you want to get into the newer games, go for the HD3850.

gpureview.com is a good resource to look for more articles on the newly released hd3650.

http://www.hothardware.com/articles/ATI_Radeon_HD_Refresh_3650_and_3450_Arrive/?page=1

$170 - GECUBE GC-HD3850PG3-D3R Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP ($20MIR)
 
If you want to do any gaming I'd have a hard time recommending anything less than the 3850, which can be had around the $150 mark. You might want to pick up one used -- watch the forums here.
 
Does the GA-P35-DS3L support the newer 45nm CPU's?

I also have a e6600 for now. I am looking for a replacement for my unstable 680i board, but would like to upgrade in the near future.
 
rabident said:
Does the GA-P35-DS3L support the newer 45nm CPU's?
Click to expand...

It was made for them. P35 Express is the mainstream chipset of the Bearlake Chipset Family, which was released for the 45nm Penryn family of CPUs (which includes Wolfdale and Yorkfield).
 
Ok so the wife has let a bit more chain out on my leash, I can now spend a bit more for a video card...

So ... can someone tell me this.. Is the 8800 gt better than a 3850/3870?

That is the price range i am in now.. maybe 250 max??
 
If you're feeing a little ballsy, pick up a pair of 3850s and OC them. Try to find ones that already have dual slot coolers. There's no difference in silicon between the 3850 and 3870, just clock speeds, so you can get to, or at least near to, 3870 level performance with 3850s OCed, and 3870s in Crossfire actually beat out 8800GTs in SLI in quite a few tests. It'd put you at around $300 rather than $250, but you'd be flying.
 
The MB i picked up isnt sli so.. thats a problem LoL..

would you still go 3850 instead of 8800gt?
 
DaWolffe said:
The MB i picked up isnt sli so.. thats a problem LoL..

would you still go 3850 instead of 8800gt?
Click to expand...

SLI is different than CrossfireX. You are correct after a fashion, though -- the P35-DS3L isn't a CrossfireX board either. In the $250 range, single card, you're looking for an 8800 GT 512MB, no question.
 
Well, for ATI you need X-fire not SLI, but you're right that your board supports neither. The 8800 GT is slightly faster than the 3870 (which I have) and the 3850 (which is slower than the 3870, and typically less memory at 256MB (although there is a 512MB 3850 too for around $200). If you can find an 8800 GT, get it. It's your best bang for the buck at $250. You might score a free game too depending on which brand you get. Don't worry about the overclocked versions. You'll likely only find the standard clocked ones at $250, but you're not missing out on much performance. You can always overclock yourself if you want too...
 
Is there anything I need to be aware of on the 8800gt ? I would hate to get a lemon. But really i kind of like the 3870 .. Heh, i think i need to load a random number generator to pick for me.
 
DaWolffe said:
Is there anything I need to be aware of on the 8800gt ? I would hate to get a lemon. But really i kind of like the 3870 .. Heh, i think i need to load a random number generator to pick for me.
Click to expand...

The 8800GT is faster, pure and simple. There is absolutely no reason to go with the 3870 when you can afford the GT.

So far as things to avoid, stay away from the Galaxy branded cards as their fan speed often can't be altered. XFX, BFG, EVGA are all safe bets.

If you can find an 8800GTS 512MB (not the 320MB or 640MB cards, but the newer G92 based one) for a price you're willing to pay, that'd be even better.. but that's likely to be $300 or a little more, so probably out of the question.
 
DaWolffe said:
Is there anything I need to be aware of on the 8800gt ? I would hate to get a lemon. But really i kind of like the 3870 .. Heh, i think i need to load a random number generator to pick for me.
Click to expand...


If you really want a 3870, get one. As we said, the 8800GT is slightly faster, not a lot though and probably unnoticable in most games. I got the 3870 because I have an ATI X-Fire motherboard, and it gives me the opportunity to buy another card in the for 8800 GTX+ performance. Also, I've been with ATI for awhile and I'm glad they produced a comparable performance card. I think there may be slight advantages to ATI if you want HD output with sound.
 
yossarian said:
If you really want a 3870, get one. As we said, the 8800GT is slightly faster, not a lot though and probably unnoticable in most games. I got the 3870 because I have an ATI X-Fire motherboard, and it gives me the opportunity to buy another card in the for 8800 GTX+ performance. Also, I've been with ATI for awhile and I'm glad they produced a comparable performance card. I think there may be slight advantages to ATI if you want HD output with sound.
Click to expand...

Audio over HDMI is a non-feature. Saves you running a cable... and potentially getting better sound. Plus you have to deal with the passthrough connection, or the Realtek drivers for the ATI card itself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top