Motherboard Decision Help

S

Swingman

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
231
I'm looking for a good, low priced motherboard. I don't need SLI and I'm not going to overclock much, if any.

I'm looking for something that is...

- Intel Compatible (Core 2 Duo)
(ability to upgrade CPU to quad core later would be a bonus).

- LGA 775 Socket

- Compatible with DDR2 800

- Good onboard audio

I was looking at the Gigabyte DS3 but wondering if there was a better option.
 
DS3 is a good basic board at a great price. Very stable, even when overclocked by 50%, 60% or 70%.

It doesn't support Intel raid so if you don't need that feature then you'll be very happy with a DS3.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Probably not going to mess with raid.

I heard some people talking about the DFI Infinity P965 and said it was coming out next month. I'm probably waiting til end of April to get all my computer parts anyway (CPU price drop). Would that be a better option over the DS3?
 
The DS3 is a proven, mature board with all the bugs pretty much worked out. Any new board that comes out and you're starting from square one.

I have no faith in any manufacturer releasing a perfect bug free board without any bios updates needed.

My Asus P5B Deluxe is up to bios 1004 and they still can't find a way to fix the on-board sound. It's not usable and no matter how well it overclocks I'll never buy another Asus board.

For what you're looking to build, the Gigabyte DS3 is perfect.
 
At the price that the DS3 comes in at, you're not going to find a better board IMHO.

Only question for me would be the onboard sound. I never used it since I have an X-Fi. Don't know if it's high quality enough for you.
 
I don't really need high quality sound. My speakers are like 8 years old or so (2 speakers and a subwoofer) so I doubt I'd get high quality sound even if I had a top of the line sound card.

As long as there's no static and sound is decent enough to be able to enjoy games, music and movies.

Is the DS3 better than the S3? I didn't really notice much difference between the 2 when looking at the specs.
 
There is not, the solid caps is about the only thing of note, if the difference in price was more than $15 (which is what I would be willing to pay for the caps) I would go with the S3 otherwise the DS3. If you tend to keep boards a long time or hand them down to kids/relatives etc. that would sway me to the solid caps too, they definitely have longer life than the old electrolytic types and tolerate heat better.
 
On board sound on the DS3 is great. Very clear, no problems.

On board sound on the P5B Deluxe is pathetic and should be avoided at any cost.
 
DS3 Onboard Sound:

Rev. 1.0 - Realtek ALC883 8 Channel Audio Codec
Rev. 2.0 - Realtek ALC888 8 Channel Audio Codec
Rev. 3.3 - Realtek ALC888 8 Channel Audio Codec

Not sure what the difference is between the 883 and 888. Both are HD codecs.
 
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