Best cheap mobo for E6750?

[Andaho]

I'm not interested in overclocking, going to use 2x1GB of low latency 667MHz RAM (probably corsair XMS), need 1 IDE and at 4 SATA, 1GB LAN, and I guess it would be handy to have a SATA on the back pannel, and I guess that's about it!

Is the iP35 my only option? as older/cheaper chipsets don't support 1333MHz FSB? such as the i965 or i945?

I see people in other threads saying "you can get cheaper motherboards, but they won't have as many features" - What do they mean by other features? - Is it overclocking features in the BIOS they are talking about? or are they talking about having things like 6 SATA? and a handful of PCI-E rather than 1 or 2?

Also, what's on-board sound like for 7.1 surround sound? - because I'm a surround sound virgin and planning to get some 5.1 or 7.1 speakers with my new system too.

--- EDIT ---

Ohh, another thing I was wondering about... How come hardly any mobos list support for 533MHz RAM anymore? I was thinking it would be handy to have support for that because I tinker with PCs a lot (apart from overclocking) and might want to test old ram in my PC - do they actually not support DDR2 533 if it's not listed?

[Queelis]

Gigabyte's P35-DS3 costs similar to IP35.

And by features, yes, they mean SATA ports, PCI-e ports, dual gigabit ethernet ports, other things. Probably the biggest difference, imo, between IP35 and IP35 Pro is the uGuru chip, it just makes overclocking so easy. Maybe someone doesn't mind, but I think it's a great feature.

[Andaho]

Is this what you're talking about?

Gigabyte GA P35-S3, iP35 Express @ £65.55 Inc VAT

I just found this GA P35-S3 and thought it has everything I want apart from eSATA, but it's at least £10 cheaper than any other iP35 board I see, so if I ever need eSATA I can buy an expansion card. What do people use dual LAN for anyway? - for software ICS?

What does anyone think of this mobo? - is there any reason for me to spend more than £65?

[Biscuit]

Also, what's on-board sound like for 7.1 surround sound? - because I'm a surround sound virgin and planning to get some 5.1 or 7.1 speakers with my new system too.

A lot better than it used to be, will probably do the job you need it too just fine. The main gripe i have with onboard sound cards is the crappy control panel in windows. If its the realtek ones then it looks tacky and is poorly designed.

Ohh, another thing I was wondering about... How come hardly any mobos list support for 533MHz RAM anymore? I was thinking it would be handy to have support for that because I tinker with PCs a lot (apart from overclocking) and might want to test old ram in my PC - do they actually not support DDR2 533 if it's not listed?

Pretty sure if the minimum ram speed listed is faster than the ram, it wont work. I think they can supports faster ram but will only run it at slower speeds.

Why go for the 667MHZ ram btw its only a £10 or so to go for the 800MHZ?

[Andaho]

Why go for the 667MHZ ram btw its only a £10 or so to go for the 800MHZ?

2Gb (2X1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC5400 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12 @ £56.98 Inc VAT

2GB (2x1GB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12 @ £83.39 Inc VAT

£10?

Is there a better place to buy RAM other than scan?

[Biscuit]

http://www.gladiatorcomputers.com/Pr...=SearchResults

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(14777)...l-Channel.aspx

although tthen u got postage to think about...still think its worth the little extra

[BUFF]

IP35-E is slightly cheaper than the P35-S3 & it has a removable BIOS chip (unlike the Gigabyte) which can make life easier if you ever have a corrupted BIOS.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=605521

[Biscuit]

IP35-E is slightly cheaper than the P35-S3 & it has a removable BIOS chip (unlike the Gigabyte) which can make life easier if you ever have a corrupted BIOS.

I have just done this... and im sad

[Agent]

IP35-E is slightly cheaper than the P35-S3 & it has a removable BIOS chip (unlike the Gigabyte) which can make life easier if you ever have a corrupted BIOS.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=605521

Not just that, but the build quality on Abit boards and superior to Gigabytes IMO.
Abit also provide an excellent RMA service in the UK should you ever need it, along with email and phone support.
They just go the extra mile IMO.

[Andaho]

IP35-E is slightly cheaper than the P35-S3 & it has a removable BIOS chip (unlike the Gigabyte) which can make life easier if you ever have a corrupted BIOS.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=605521

Hmm, I've never had a corrupted bios before, surely it's not a common thing?...

I have just done this... and im sad

Done what? replaced the BIOS chip?!?!

I think I prefer the idea of having 2 extra SATA than a removable bios chip - I think there's more chance that I might use the extra SATA rather than replacing the bios chip.

But is there anything cheaper out there that supports 1333MHz FSB? or is the P35 Express the cheapest?

[Lanky123]

The G33 chipset supports 1333fsb but you only save about £2 from getting that rather than the cheapest P35. I dont know exactly what you lose from the P35, but I dont think thats worth it.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=605383

[Andaho]

Ok, thanks very much everyone, I'm going for this one: Gigabyte GA P35-S3, iP35 Express @ £65.55 Inc VAT

[Smudger]

You missed this one:


2GB (2x1GB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-12 £57.64 £67.73

Not sure how much difference the CAS timings make...

[Biscuit]

Done what? replaced the BIOS chip?!?!

I think I prefer the idea of having 2 extra SATA than a removable bios chip - I think there's more chance that I might use the extra SATA rather than replacing the bios chip.

But is there anything cheaper out there that supports 1333MHz FSB? or is the P35 Express the cheapest?

No corrupted one... i think something must have gone wrong when i tried to update it and it buggered the bios. I have RMA'd the board.... hopefully they will just replace it i really dont wanna have to fork out £60

This isnt a major issue though, if you are not overclocking then i imagine the stock bios will be fine

[Andy3536]

Is this what you're talking about?

Gigabyte GA P35-S3, iP35 Express @ £65.55 Inc VAT

I just found this GA P35-S3 and thought it has everything I want apart from eSATA, but it's at least £10 cheaper than any other iP35 board I see, so if I ever need eSATA I can buy an expansion card. What do people use dual LAN for anyway? - for software ICS?

What does anyone think of this mobo? - is there any reason for me to spend more than £65?

It's great, i've got it!
Prob not the best at overclocking as it doesn't have the huge heat sink but it'll go a reasonable way.