Which MOBO should I pick?

[Buzzsaw]

I've decided upon most of the parts for my new PC, but I'm not sure about the mobo.
it's either;
Abit IP-35
or
Abit AW9D-max.

There both about the same price, and similar spec, which one would people recommend?

[Blitzen]

Alright JB

IP-35 = Newer chipset but im seeing alot of gripes regarding this board. Whether its user trouble or not i dont know. All the moans look like BIOS problems but to my mind this board has been out long enough now to have had these errors resolved by ABIT.

AW9D-MAX = Older chipset (975X) but it still runs the C2D's and QUADS as easily as the Ip. Also overclocks pretty well and the Bios release is stable and does all the IP does (with a little bling added).

Would you notice the difference? Nope. ----- as long as the bios was stable on the IP.


I couldnt decide either but i read ALL the reviews and NO-ONE has a bad word to say about the AW9D-MAX so thats the way i went and im glad i did.

[staffsMike]

The IP-35 I had was prefect except the double boot problem..which is hardly a problem anyway.. just starts.. twice lol.

The new bios fixes that anyway and that makes it imo the better board.

[Webby]

Also remember that the P35 chipet supports the new 45nm processors that are about to be released and 1333MHz FSB while the 975 doesn't so for an upgrade path the IP-35 would seem to be the better option, but if you are the type of person that uses it till it breaks then get a whole new PC then thats not really an issue!

[BUFF]

IP-35 = Newer chipset but im seeing alot of gripes regarding this board. Whether its user trouble or not i dont know. All the moans look like BIOS problems but to my mind this board has been out long enough now to have had these errors resolved by ABIT.

There aren't a lot of problems merely the same few repeated over & over (true of most boards) usually involving setup errors.
Plus abit has sold far, far more IP35s than AW9Ds.

Buzzsaw, it's hard to give you a precise reply when you don't give any info on needs or usage but the IP35 is likely to support future CPUs that the AW9D won't - the chipset is 2 years younger afterall..
Plus it hits higher fsb if you are overclocking.

[Buzzsaw]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Its for a gaming setup (surprise!).
C2D E6750 to start with, then going to a Quad next year. I'm happy that I'll be able to play almost any game I get for xmas with a C2D.
I don't think that the quad offerings are that good at the mo, and there out of my budget. Next year? We'll have to see.

One final thought, I'm looking at adding a Scythe Mine CPU cooler. Will it all fit in the case I have planned, either a Coolermaster Centurion RC-532, Cavalier 3, or an Antec 900?

[staffsMike]

Of your cases I'd have the antec 900 but the mine will fit any of them.

[godsdog]

I had no luck with an Abit IP-35 and Scythe Mine recently. Swapped the Mine fan out and all was well again, but that's an added expense obviously. Chance it if you want, but I'd buy something other than the Mine to go with the IP-35.

[Webby]

Just talking heatsinks I would be tempted by the Thermalright Ultima 90 has recieved good reviews and equals the performance of much larger heatsinks. You also get to choose your fan quiet or loud your choice

oh and if your cosidering upgrading to a new Quad next year go for the IP35 for the reasons I mentioned above (previous post)!

[staffsMike]

I didn't know there was a problem with the mine and IP-35.

The ninja certainly works just fine as i've done a build with them

[godsdog]

Short term memory is a bugger Mike - http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...ren-no-go.html

[Blitzen]

oh and if your cosidering upgrading to a new Quad next year go for the IP35 for the reasons I mentioned above (previous post)!

? The AW9D, if thats what is chosen, runs Quads.

The Scythe Mine fits fine on the board aswell.

[Webby]

? The AW9D, if thats what is chosen, runs Quads.

The Scythe Mine fits fine on the board aswell.

Yes but quads with 1066MHz FSB not 1333MHz FSB which the new processors will have and they will be 45nm (assuming the upgrade was to a Penryn core) which would require a P31/35/38 or G31/33/35 chipset, hence my coment on needing the IP-35 board.

[Blitzen]

Ahhhh......
Just wasnt clear what you meant.

[Buzzsaw]

Ok then, IP-35 it is then, with:
E6750,
4 Gb GeIL PC6400 RAM,
Asus DRW-1814 optical.

I still like the Antec 900 the best, but I'm now not sure about the Scythe mine.
What other options are there?

[Webby]

Okay heat sinks it all depends on what you want to achieve... Big heatsinks like the Thermalright ultra 120 extreme are very good at cooling hot processors but you will probably not see a huge drop in temps over say a Thermalright Ultima 90 if the heat load the CPU is producing isn't that high. Now if your planning on overclocking your CPU then it makes sense to get the best cooler you can!

A few i would suggest you look at would be,

Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
Thermalright Ultima 90
Scythe Ninja Plus
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

My personal choice would be one of the Thermalrights but thats just me