Which mobo Chipset?

[kopite]

Im about to upgrade my computer which is getting a bit long int he tooth .

CPU wise I keep hearing that the q6600 is the best chip atm so Im kinda settled on that.

Ram Wise I have been told that atm its not really worth going for ddr3 as the price is extortionate so DDR2 ram is the choice.

Now the problem is I havent got a clue what Mobo to go for. There seems to be so many different chipset options for Intel atm that Im confused. DO I got for p35, x38,x48 or any other random selection of numbers and letters

ANy advise would be greatly appreciated

[Biscuit]

well the X48 is mainly DDR3 but there is DDR2 versions of the P35 and X38.

P35 is the option to go for cost per performance wise, you get much the same from it as you would if you got a X38 but its cheaper. The main thing the X38 offers is compatability with 1600mhz FSB CPUS, however i cant see these taking off as there is an entire new socket being released later this year/early next year.
Asus P5K-E

You could always go the uATX option (G33) and get a mini-motherboard and case

Asus P5K-VM

Silverstone SUGO

[kopite]

SHould also mention that I want as many sata ports as possible

I am using 8 sata ports atm. I have a couple of pci sata cards so if it comes to it then I can install one fo them but I would prefer if possible to use the onboard ports.

DOnt really want a micro atX. Prefer normal size atx as I have a full tower case so Size isnt at a premium

Also id like digital out for the sound.

[Biscuit]

well the above mobo has 6 sata slots and 2 spdif outs... is it optical or coax you are after?

Gigabyte boards seem to have more sata ports

as does the DFI lan party

[Blackmage]

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Clunks review

DFI LT X38-T2R LanParty - Living Review. - Clunk's Forums.

[Biscuit]

£180 though

If the only need is for more sata ports then EP35-DS3R is a good option. Also has optical and co-axial!

What kind of budget are working with?

[BUFF]

The main thing the X38 offers is compatability with 1600mhz FSB CPUS,[/URL]

No, the main thing that X38 offers over P35 is dual x16 PCI-E 2.0 slots for Crossfire instead of x16+x4 PCI-E 1.
X38 doesn't officially support 1600fsb CPUs but that's not really a problem as both P35 & it will overclock past 1600fsb anyway.

[Biscuit]

Gues it comes down to wether you are likely to be using multiple GPUs or not then?

[Clunk]

you could buy this Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Clunks review

DFI LT X38-T2R LanParty - Living Review. - Clunk's Forums.

That's the wrong link, this is the correct link

[kopite]

Well budgetwise less than 200

The last board I bought was the asus a8n sli deluxe(skt 939) and I bought that the week it came out.

Clunk I take it fromk the review that its a good board then?

[Clunk]

Well budgetwise less than 200

The last board I bought was the asus a8n sli deluxe(skt 939) and I bought that the week it came out.

Clunk I take it fromk the review that its a good board then?

It's pretty much identical to the X38 version in every way apart from the chipset, which is just a higher binned version of the X38. The LT X38-T2R was the best C2D board I've used so far, and up to now, the X48 is beating it by a small margin in tests.

I haven't done max FSB or RAM clocking yet, but I suspect it will be pretty similar to the X38, maybe a touch more on the FSB.

[Muse_Cubed]

The only problem about the X38 is that it's heading towards EOL so it may not be supported in future with bios updates and such. However, the X48 ones may work (as proved by these Asus Maximus Rampage boards which keep turning up )

[kopite]

I think i`ll get the DFI LanParty LT X48 -T2R board then

CHip wise am I right in thinking that the q6600 is the way to go?

ALso Ram wise should bI be getting the pc8500 ram ?

FInally what cpu cooler? Is the retail cooler fine as initially I`ll be running at stock

[Biscuit]

well if your not working to a bang for buck principle you could go for a yorkfield

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[kopite]

Is the price difference between the yorkfield and the kentsfield chips worthwhile performance wise?

[neiledavies]

Why quad core? could save and go C2D as the reviews read don't seem to have massive performance benefits for them at the moment.