Need to order a new board TODAY

No surprise, but I'm not getting any help over at AT.

I'm looking for a decent replacement for the Gigabyte 965P-S3 I just apparently fried. The only issue here is the price; I'd like to keep it around $140 CAD (prefer to buy from NCIX with pricematching from DirectCanada if possible/necessary).

Requirements:

ATX
LGA775 (Q6600 compatible, even though I think they all are)
240 pin
Digital (coax) S/PDIF out. Optical toslink is acceptable, I'd just have to pick up a new cable.
20/24pin doesn't matter.
1+ PCI-E x16 (SLi isn't necessary at all, but I wouldn't complain)

This is the one I was looking at, ASUS P5K

Current hardware, in case of compatibility issues.

Q6600
2x1GB Patriot DDR2 @ 800MHz (240)
eVGA 8600GT
SATA Hard Drive
450W ATX PSU (Corsair)

So..is the one I've found acceptable? I imagine non-SLi/CF boards could be found for the same price and of better quality, and since I don't especially plan on going SLi with this rig, I'd prefer to just get a better board for the same price without 2 x16's.

How about the Gigabyte P35-DS3L?

Thanks!

Gigabyte has done a great job with P35s just like 965s so why not stick with it. It worked in the past so keep goin, I'm big on Brand loyalty. How did you fry it though? Maybe you need a new PSU too. If in doubt Abit or MSI

Glow said:

Gigabyte has done a great job with P35s just like 965s so why not stick with it. It worked in the past so keep goin, I'm big on Brand loyalty. How did you fry it though? Maybe you need a new PSU too. If in doubt Abit or MSI

Click to expand...

Heh, it's been a big headache for me.

I had just installed a Q6600 and some new ram, turned it on, and all was good. I was watching a movie and converting one at the same time, and I guess I gave it too much priority that things got overloaded. Computer locked up so I turned it off, then back on again and no post/video. I assume the video card was fried so I ordered an 8600GT, same problem. I swapped the ram with my old stuff, tried using only one stick of each, etc. Unplugged everything. Tried my old E6300, no go. Plugged my PSU into an old Dell and it powered up just fine. I'm pretty sure it MUST be the motherboard. Took it out of the case because I might be getting a short from risers and still nothing.

doh. i recommend an Abit p35 if your not looking for sli, a good stable board.


did you try unplugging the power and resetting the cmos for about 5 minutes?

codegrinder said:

doh. i recommend an Abit p35 if your not looking for sli, a good stable board.


did you try unplugging the power and resetting the cmos for about 5 minutes?

Click to expand...

I think I've done it all. I reset the CMOS with the jumper on multiple occasions. I pulled the battery and went to watch a show, giving it enough time. Did that twice maybe. I really hope it's the board because I've already ordered a video card that I don't need (waste of money to send it back and pay more shipping, 15% restocking fee, etc). I can't see how it could be anything else, since I've tried my old functioning processor, old functioning ram, new video card, PSU on a different board.

I second the Abit IP35 series.

I had major headaches with the Gigabyte P35-DS3L and Abit was the asprin to make that pain go away.

KamelRed said:

I second the Abit IP35 series.

I had major headaches with the Gigabyte P35-DS3L and Abit was the asprin to make that pain go away.

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Abit started making quality boards again? I remember hearing bad things about their boards.

Here's the one I'd be ordering if none of the above. That won't be a problem for my current hardware? Here it is on Newegg. Or I could go with this one if I grab the open box item (same price), which is SLI capable.

Which ever one you buy check for support of the new 45nm Penryn cpus, if a bios update was already out I would consider that a plus. The Nehalem are going to obsolete everything in a year so the 45nm will be the last chance to upgrade a board bought today.

i'd say the ip35-e.

oh and just because the asus p5k has a 2nd pci-e 16x slot, doesnt mean it can do sli. it cant. only nvidia chipsets are sli supported.

FanZ said:

i'd say the ip35-e.

oh and just because the asus p5k has a 2nd pci-e 16x slot, doesnt mean it can do sli. it cant. only nvidia chipsets are sli supported.

Click to expand...

Shows what I know. No need for 2 16x slots if I can't slit with 'em.

Checked out some reviews. Pulling the trigger on the ABit.

Thanks guys!

should be good to go,
dont worry if you computer turns on, then off for 3 seconds.. then on again. just flash to the latest official bios and that'll fix the double boot 'issue', assuming you dont unplug your computer from the power outlet every time you shut down.

good luck

FanZ said:

should be good to go,
dont worry if you computer turns on, then off for 3 seconds.. then on again. just flash to the latest official bios and that'll fix the double boot 'issue', assuming you dont unplug your computer from the power outlet every time you shut down.

good luck

Click to expand...

Yeah, I had that problem with my 965 as well (unless that was just yet another problem).