Help on selecting a mobo for E4300

[logiclxm]

Hi,

I initially wanted to wait till July 22nd and go with a Quad Q6600 system. However, since I'm not a huge gamer and not planning to play heavy games such as Crysys or Oblivion+ based on the fact that I mostly use my computer for multimedia (mp3+movies) and internet.So to save some money, I decided that Intel's Core Duo should do fine for the next 2 yrs.

My choice of CPU is: Intel's E4300.

I would like recommendations on selecting a motherboard for this CPU.
I narrowed down my selection to the two next mobos:

1) Gigabyte GA-365P-DS3 ($135 CAN)
or
2) ASUS P5B Deluxe ($200 CAN)

Theres a big price difference wetween the two mobos. Since I decided not to buy a Quad Core CPU, I will not be planning to upgrade to Quad with my current built; maybe in 2 yr time.

Will the Gigabyte card be good enough for me? I read a lot that its a very good overclocker (I might be overclocking in the future). However, I know that ASUS makes excellent cards and I see around various forums that ASUS P5B Deluxe is very popular and performs great. I don't know if I should stick to the Gigabyte card or spend an extra$70and get the ASUS card.

Thanks.

 

[kirbyrj]

I think the Gigabyte board will be good enough for what you need it for. The E4300 and a 965 board is a good combo IMO.

 

[JStudrawa]

I think the Gigabyte board will be good enough for what you need it for. The E4300 and a 965 board is a good combo IMO.

Aye, especially with the write up that Bill Parrish has done for OC'ing on the Gigabyte boards. Got me to 3.33 on the e4300.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1169366

Btw, the Q6600 won't give a bonus over similar dual core CPU in those games yet, so no rush. Plus, the Gigabyte GA-965p-DS3 will handle a Q if infact you do want one in the future.

 

[logiclxm]

Thanks for the input.
Gigabyte GA-365P-DS3 it is!

 

[kirbyrj]

Thanks for the input.
Gigabyte GA-365P-DS3 it is!

Just out of curiosity, why don't you consider a P35 board? The P35 version of the DS3 isn't that much more expensive than the 965 version.

 

[logiclxm]

Just out of curiosity, why don't you consider a P35 board? The P35 version of the DS3 isn't that much more expensive than the 965 version.

Cuz I decided that I will not upgrade to Quad with my current built. Despite the fact that initially, I planned to go with Q6600+ASUS P5K board after July 22nd. Just wanted to save some money, while I am not a serious gamer and wont need to use my comp for any multitasking or graphics hungry games/software.

 

[kirbyrj]

Cuz I decided that I will not upgrade to Quad with my current built. Despite the fact that initially, I planned to go with Q6600+ASUS P5K board after July 22nd. Just wanted to save some money, while I am not a serious gamer and wont need to use my comp for any multitasking or graphics hungry games/software.

Well, the memory controller seems to be somewhat better on the P35 board, especially if you plan on using 4 sticks of memory at some point in the future. Personally, for the extra $10 or so, I'd take a look at the P35 version (It was maybe $130 at Newegg).

 

[logiclxm]

Is there really a big advantage in selecting a P35 board? I would thing that the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 would be a nice budget choice, while I will do my next upgrade when Penryn/Nehalem and DDR3 would be the standard; so in about 2+ yrs I would guess. Core Duo should be stable for quite a while...

 

[kirbyrj]

Is there really a big advantage in selecting a P35 board? I would thing that the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 would be a nice budget choice, while I will do my next upgrade when Penryn/Nehalem and DDR3 would be the standard; so in about 2+ yrs I would guess. Core Duo should be stable for quite a while...

The memory controller and the OCing capabilities are the biggest advantages. I think for the extra $20 or so the P35 version would run you it would be worth it over the Rev. 3.3 DS3 board.

P35 version

965 version