Choice of X48 MoBo

[Cosworth]

I will be heading out next week (if finally available) to buy an X48 board, but I'm struggling to choose between two. My first fancy was the Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6 but am now also considering the MSI X48C Platinum. I'm considering the MSI not only because it's approx. £40 cheaper but after dismissing the Gigabyte X48T version because of the cost of DDR3 the MSI has the added bonus that it has the option of adding DDR3 later on as and when it becomes more affordable whilst using DDR2 now (the two types cannot be run simultaneously).

So if anyone can help me too decide and possibly think of something I may not have thought about towards either it would be appreciated.

[this_is_gav]

Gigabyte will afford you the chance to run 8gb RAM. The MSI will be limited to 4gb (of DDR2 anyway - don't know if it will be able to run 2x4gb DDR3 sticks). No point in investing in the potential a technology has when it will be redundant by the time you come to use it (thinking Nehalem here).

Personally I wouldn't pay the extra for nothing. The X38 is just as good as X48 - only difference is the supposed overclocking potential, but X38 will go beyond anything else at the moment - the X38 will still be going strong when the CPU hits it's limit. You're paying more for nothing but a larger number.

If you're upgrading go X38 (if you need crossfire or 2 16x PCIe slots) or wait until P45 (ICH10).

[Thorsson]

By the time that DDR3 is worth buying you'll either want a new Mobo, or the next Windows will require 4Gb just to run. These mixed tech mobos always sound good, but in practise you never, ever use them as the basis for an upgrade.

[Cosworth]

Gigabyte will afford you the chance to run 8gb RAM. The MSI will be limited to 4gb (of DDR2 anyway - don't know if it will be able to run 2x4gb DDR3 sticks). No point in investing in the potential a technology has when it will be redundant by the time you come to use it (thinking Nehalem here).

Personally I wouldn't pay the extra for nothing. The X38 is just as good as X48 - only difference is the supposed overclocking potential, but X38 will go beyond anything else at the moment - the X38 will still be going strong when the CPU hits it's limit. You're paying more for nothing but a larger number.

If you're upgrading go X38 (if you need crossfire or 2 16x PCIe slots) or wait until P45 (ICH10).

4Gb is sufficient for a 32bit operating system.
I wanted originally the GA-X38-DQ6 for as you say there really is no real benefit to the 48 but no one sells it now and the last time I did find one it was as dear as an X48. I don't fancy any of those X38's still available.
When is the P45 due out then I wonder, not that I want to wait any longer for a new board.

By the time that DDR3 is worth buying you'll either want a new Mobo, or the next Windows will require 4Gb just to run. These mixed tech mobos always sound good, but in practise you never, ever use them as the basis for an upgrade.

Hoping to have this board at least 3-4 years and I would expect DDR3 prices to fall before then, but point taken. The cost of the board did sound good.

[rob4001]

Aren't intel brining out a whole new socket next year not worth getting an x48 IMO. Just wait till next year.

[Bill_Bright]

4Gb is sufficient for a 32bit operating system

4Gb is physical limits for a 32bit system - you can add more RAM but it will not be seen.

[Cosworth]

4Gb is physical limits for a 32bit system - you can add more RAM but it will not be seen.

Exactly! That's what I was saying.

[Bill_Bright]

[Thorsson]

You won't see 4Gb even, as there is a total of 4GB memory space, and other things use part of the space, like your GFX card.

[Cosworth]

That' true also! I have physically 4096MB but only 2687MB available as the rest has been swallowed by the operating systems virtual memory.

[this_is_gav]

That' true also! I have physically 4096MB but only 2687MB available as the rest has been swallowed by the operating systems virtual memory.

:\

Someone doesn't know what he's talking about.

It's got nothing to do with virtual memory, and the reason you have less than 4gb is because it's been mapped to other components - the video card in particular - you have 2 512mb ones which is why you're missing so much. If you took one out it should shoot back up to around 3-3.2gb.

[Blitzen]

Why on earth would you want a top end board and run a 32bit OS on it anyway.

What a serious waste of cash as you will never get a benefit from it.

BTW...My X38 Clocks beautifully.

[Cosworth]

:\

Someone doesn't know what he's talking about.

Not very nice Bud

It's got nothing to do with virtual memory, and the reason you have less than 4gb is because it's been mapped to other components - the video card in particular - you have 2 512mb ones which is why you're missing so much. If you took one out it should shoot back up to around 3-3.2gb.

That's what I trying to say though terminology was incorrect I admit (beer and memory cells don't work together) Memory you have but not for use by the user!

[this_is_gav]

The wink suggested it was playful

I just corrected what you said, as any uninformed user stumbling upon the thread, Google searches included, might get the wrong idea. It's got absolutely nothing to do with virtual memory. It (well, that bit ) wasn't a dig at you.

[Cosworth]

I know - hence the

Nice speaking to you!