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MoBo Recommendation Help

P

PhilipB

n00b
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
11
Hi,

I'm new here, read through a lot of information already both here an around the net. Have some questions on a motherboard recommendation.

I'm building a machine for my son, this will be a Christmas present. He wants a gaming machine, will not be over clocking.

He is currently running an ABit Fatality AA8XE with an Albatron 6800 PCIE16 video adapter, and two 500 gig SATA drives. I built this about 2 years ago, and he's been happy with it. He runs first person shooter games, as well as Final Fantasy 11 (on-line). This machine will pass to his little brother.

I was looking into the following motherboards:
ASUS Maximus Extreme
eVGA 680i SLI
ASUS P5N32-E SLI
ASUS Striker Extreme

The common theme I read here is that any mo-board based on the nForce 680i chipset seems to be unstable when over clocked. But what if not over clocked? Are there still issues?

As the ASUS Maximus Extreme is not using the nForce 680i chipset is it the better choice?

Is there a different chipset other than the nForce 680i that is comparable for a gaming application but more stable?

I'm not trying to start a debate here, but do not yet know enough to make an informed decision. If anyone has some links where I can read up some more information it is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Phil
 
If you don't need SLI (and given that your son has a 6800, you almost certainly don't, as SLI is a waste if you're not using the top-end cards), then an Intel chipset would almost certainly be better for the Core 2 you're going to buy (I assume, given that's what all the mobos you mention take). It's more stable, newer, and fewer issues overall. The new 780i/790i chipsets from NVIDIA are coming soon and might be better, but again too expensive considering what you're going to be using it for.

If you're not overclocking and not using Crossfire, then I see little reason to get a X38 motherboard now, so I'd recommend a P35 motherboard. Several popular ones are the abit IP35 Pro (or the cheaper IP35-E), Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R (or the cheaper DS3L), or the ASUS P5K (as you seem to like ASUS, but it's not as well-loved as the abit or the Gigabyte).
 
With the new machine, I will install a new video card (the Albatron stays in the Abit machine). So I am not tied to the Albatron.

Thanks for your help,
Phil
 
As above really - if you don't need dualled gfx (& very few do) then P35 is where it's at.
Given that he won't be overclocking though even P31 would do but as money doesn't seem to be an issue then you might as well go P35.
I'm an abit fan but Gigabyte are my no. 2 brand & both have great P35 solutions.
 
What would be an applicable application for dual GFX? My son had this (dual gfx) in mind, he also had his eye on something along the lines of a EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX.

Now, I'm not that old, and I have a long (20 year +) tech background in application software on Wall Street, but gaming is something I know little about - not since you could play Asteroids at the local arcade for $.25, so I am not certain what is overkill or not.

Thanks.
 
OK, so if you really do want SLI (though I'd wait and get the new high-end coming in February rather than the 8800GTX's, but that's me), then you are stuck with a NVIDIA chipset. If you can't wait until the 700-series chipsets, then I'd go with a 650i chipset; it's newer and more stable than the infamous 680i chipset, even if it has less features than the 680i. The MSI P6N SLI-Platinum (or its little brother the SLI-FI) is quite popular; it has a very large thread here. Or you could just go with a NVIDIA 650i reference board from eVGA, BFG, or XFX.

If you really want high-end SLI, you could also try a 680i LT (note the LT at the end) from the same manufactureres, as it has fixed at least some of the problems of the vanilla 680i. I'd probably wait until the 780i is out though if you want high-end.
 
PhilipB said:
What would be an applicable application for dual GFX? My son had this (dual gfx) in mind, he also had his eye on something along the lines of a EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX.
Click to expand...

Generally gaming at very high resolution (1900x plus)/FSAA etc. on a screen larger than 24".

You might find http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQzMSwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA== worth a read as the 8800GTX doesn't represent good value atm & is due to be replaced v.shortly iirc.
 
Thank you for your responses and the information provided.

After doing more reading, it seems a Crossfire solution is inherently more stable as compared to SLI, for a dual graphic card solution. Does anyone have an opinion/experience with Crossfire?

As my son is big into gaming, I think a dual card solution would be the way to go - at least to offset another system upgrade in the near future.

Thanks,
Phil
 
In that case an X38 chipset solution may be better.
They are new though & are still shaking down the BIOS on most of them.
 
If you are not going to be using an NVIDIA dual graphics card solution, the Maximus Formula/Formula SE is the best choice in my opinion at present.
 
So, from what I learned, here's where I am heading with this:

- Maximus Formula mb (most likely the special edition version), which is an X38 mb, and supports ATI Crossfire technology
- Two (2) Sapphire RADEON HD 2900XT 512MB PCIe gfxs
- Intel LGA775 processor in either 800MHz, 1,066MHz or 1,333MHz form
- Probably start him out with 4gig DDR2

As Santa is generous, but has limits:
- He'll reuse two new WD 500 gig SATA 3.0 drives from his current ABit machine
- He'll also reuse his current Samsung 226BW monitor

Does this all make sense and equate to a powerful gaming machine?

Thanks for all your help,
Phil
 
PhilipB said:
- Two (2) Sapphire RADEON HD 2900XT 512MB PCIe gfxs
Click to expand...

Most of your specs look good, but I wouldn't go with these. The 2900XT's are power-hungry and not all that impressive. And lots of people have had bad experiences with Sapphire; try PowerColor or VisionTek instead (or heck, almost any brand besides Sapphire). Go with 3870's instead; less hot, less power-hungry, nice and quiet, cheaper, and more powerful than 2900XT's. The only problem is going to be finding them in stock, but I'm sure Santa can be resourceful. ;)
 
PhilipB said:
So, from what I learned, here's where I am heading with this:

- Maximus Formula mb (most likely the special edition version), which is an X38 mb, and supports ATI Crossfire technology
- Two (2) Sapphire RADEON HD 2900XT 512MB PCIe gfxs
- Intel LGA775 processor in either 800MHz, 1,066MHz or 1,333MHz form
- Probably start him out with 4gig DDR2

As Santa is generous, but has limits:
- He'll reuse two new WD 500 gig SATA 3.0 drives from his current ABit machine
- He'll also reuse his current Samsung 226BW monitor

Does this all make sense and equate to a powerful gaming machine?

Thanks for all your help,
Phil
Click to expand...

You will want to make some changes. For one thing make sure you go with a 2x2GB memory configuration. You want a processor with a 1066FSB or 1333MHz FSB. I think an E6550 or E6650 or something along those lines is a good starting point for overclocking. I don't like the 800MHz FSB CPUs myself. To each thier own on that.

I will however say this; Screw the 2900XT. The 3870 is a better card in every way. It certainly will out perform the 2900XT while using less power and generate less heat.
 
I already ordered the MB - SE version.

I'm trying to find the POWERCOLOR AX3870 but I may as well be looking for Osama, this is no where to be found in stock. So I figured I'd move on the CPU and memory.

The CPU model number in the prior thread post is the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, which has the 1333MHz FSB you recommended.

So, this is good....?

What does Quad do that Core 2 doesn't or vice-versa?
 
Forgot this is my prior post.

4 of these??? - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model PEP22G6400EL
 
Presumably you'll be using 64-bit OS (Vista 64?) to make use of the 8Gb RAM - but will his games run under it?
 
PhilipB said:
Forgot this is my prior post.

4 of these??? - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model PEP22G6400EL
Click to expand...

I'd stick to 2 modules, but 4 modules of that type should work fine with that board. You can always use memory dividers if you run into overclocking issues. As far as the processor is concerned, unless you do heavy encoding, or you almost never upgrade your PC I'd stick with the dual core. A higher clocked dual core processor will probably serve you better than a quad core that isn't clocked as high. It is a well known fact that the quads are harder to overclock than the dual core processors and this is especially true of air cooled systems.

I have a quad core processor mainly for the E-Peen factor.

BUFF said:
Presumably you'll be using 64-bit OS (Vista 64?) to make use of the 8Gb RAM - but will his games run under it?
Click to expand...

I hope so or he'll be wasting 6GB of RAM. :eek:
 
If the game can run within a 64-bit OS, go with the 8 gig of RAM, otherwise go with 2 or 4 gigs.

And the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 is more "tweakable" than the Quad.

Thanks for all your help.
 
Hi I have a question for everyone reading that's sorta similar to the OP's so i'm just going to ask it here rather than starting a whole new thread.

I just bought the maximus formula SE and after looking at the QVL for memory i've noticed options are very limited. another thing i've noticed though is people posting up their pics and stats in peoples sigs showing different memory being used on the board...

so basically my question is what would be good (and compatible) type of memory to use for 2x2gb setup on this board?

originally i was looking at this...

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231148

as it was it was recommended by a friend but i noticed no G.Skill memory on the QVL so i'm sorta stumped. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks in advance
 
Unfortunately I can only tell you about the compatibility of memory I tested myself on the board.

Basically Corsair Dominator PC9136, and PC10000 modules along with some OCZ PC2-9200 modules.
 
well after using the uber search feature on the forums and doin a lot of reading it seems the memory i linked works fine. so i went with it, if it doesn't work though i'll go just go with the memory you mentioned to save myself a headache, thanks Dan
 
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