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Thread: Help With making a decision on motherboard

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    Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Hi, i am looking to make my first build. It will have 2 8800 GTS 320mbs in SLI, 2 GB of 533 MHz RAM (will upgrade soon, but not now) and a Q6600. The only problem is that i have no idea which motherboard to choose. I was originally going for the MSI p7n Zalman Bundle, however that is no longer available in SCAN. Basically, it should have SLI support, support for 533MHz RAM, SATA II, 1 Free PCI slot when two dual slot cards are installed and support for a quad core 775. What would you reccommend?
    I plan to OC a little (ie im not a hardcore overclocker willing to spend money on a liquid cooling system). My budget is below that of the p7n Zalman edition board (as that came with a cooler). What would be best? Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    You could get yourself a cheapy 650i like the abit fatility
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=543993

    Pretty sure quads work with those.

    Or go for a different 750i like this one when its back in stock
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=729916

    I assume you already have the graphics cards. You could actually sell them and get yourself a decent P35/P45 motherboard and an ATi HD4850 and you will have yourself a better PC it terms of compatability and performance

  3. #3
    Senior Member Max Tractor's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    I would recommend MSI - P6N SLI-FI if you can find one at at reasonable price or go for the gigabyte, Gigabyte GA-N650SLI http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140949

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    • Abhik262's system
      • Motherboard:
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      • CPU:
      • Intel Q6600 @ ~ 3.0GHz
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Thanks alot staffsMike, that 750i is exactly the kind of board i was after. Also, while im here would the following Cooler be sufficient http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=727865 for a Q6600 and would the 2 8800 GTS 320 being sold at £88 each be worth it for gaming and graphic design? Thanks for all of the help so far.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    U could get a Zotac 8800GT 512mb for £95.97 @ ebuyer the other day. Worth the extra £8 in my book. The cooler should be fine if ur not going to oc the q6600 2 much.

    Edit: I have read that the MSI 750i overclocks well.
    Mobo: DFI LP X48 LT T2R Bios 2008/12/24
    CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 @ 3.6ghz (400 x 9)
    Ram: OCZ PC2-9200 4GB Flex II @ 1066mhz 5-5-5-15 2T
    GC: HIS 5870 @ 900/1300 - Eyefinity

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    • Abhik262's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5-Q (iP45)
      • CPU:
      • Intel Q6600 @ ~ 3.0GHz
      • Memory:
      • Corsair 4GB DDR2-800 @815 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 120gb USB +160gb +320gb (SATA)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD4850 512MB
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Could I possibly get my q6600 Up to 3.0GHz? with that set up?
    Thats all i need because i am upgrading from a 3 GHz Pentium 4 and so i dont want to go downhill in terms of performance in applications which are only able to utilise 1 Core.

    Also, thanks TIMMY for the suggestion but I am REALLY tight atm, so £16 would push my budget too far.

  7. #7
    Get in the van. Fraz's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Quote Originally Posted by Abhik262 View Post
    Could I possibly get my q6600 Up to 3.0GHz? with that set up?
    Thats all i need because i am upgrading from a 3 GHz Pentium 4 and so i dont want to go downhill in terms of performance in applications which are only able to utilise 1 Core.
    A single core of a q6600 even at stock 2.4 GHz will urinate all over a 3 GHz Pentium 4.

  8. #8
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Asus coolers always seem to be a bit weak from reviews. Best cooler in that price range is either this

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700899

    or this
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=383006

    both highly regarded.

    I'm not sure I understand the question about the graphics cards. Are you asking whether buying two GTS's is worth it for gaming and graphic design? If so then no they aren't. These are the weakest and oldest of the 8800's now. You are far better off with just the one ATi HD4850 At £125 you will save money and get more performance.

    The 750i with native 1333MHz FSB pretty much gaurantee's a 3.0GHz OC as long as the chip can do it (which they invariably can ). If you get the single card though just get a P35 board like the Abit IP-35 dark raider. It really is the better way to go.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Quote Originally Posted by Fraz View Post
    A single core of a q6600 even at stock 2.4 GHz will urinate all over a 3 GHz Pentium 4.
    How diplomatic old Bean


  10. #10
    Folding Flunkie Webby's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    I'm with Mike on this, if you do not have the graphics cards already you will be wasting loads of money buying 2 for mediocre performance.

    The Abit IP35 Dark Raider (~£65) and a 4850 (~£125). You will be saving ~£80 and if your on a budget that is a fair amount, if you want the option of a multiple GPU setup in the future then you could look at the X38 chipset I have seen the Abit IX38 Quad GT for £105 so with a 4850 still saving about £40 on your current option.

    Oh I think the IP35 and Q6600 are on Scan Today only so you can probably save ~£10 by buying before tomorrow lunch if your ready to buy.

    Onto Heat sinks I'm with Mike again (so often it hurts!) the Xigmatek is very good keeps my brothers Phenom 9750 (125W) at less than 45oC under full load so should have no problem with an overclocked Q6600. The Scythe Mine is also very good find a post from Blitzen to see example temps in his sig (if i remember correctly about 40oC under full load with an overclock).

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    • Abhik262's system
      • Motherboard:
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      • CPU:
      • Intel Q6600 @ ~ 3.0GHz
      • Memory:
      • Corsair 4GB DDR2-800 @815 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 120gb USB +160gb +320gb (SATA)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD4850 512MB
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    So i can assume the two GTS 320s would be a bad way to go. the only reason i said this was because on www.tomshardware.com, they have a set of charts for comparing GPUs and 2 8800GTSs seem to perfrom much better than an 8800 ultra.

    Anyway, i gues id better hope that the 9800GTX price cut in the UK occurs before 22nd july.

  12. #12
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Not a fan of ATi products then? The HD4850 seems perfect for your needs and budget. It performs about the same as an ultra anyway. The problem with SLi is it's great for somethings and rubbish for others. Single GPU pretty much gaurantee's the performance.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    It may also be that the chart on Toms hardware is for two 512MB GTS in SLi rather than two 320mb versions the 512mb are far superior.

    I would really say look at the ATi 4850 rather than waiting for price cuts which may or may not happen in time.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Quote Originally Posted by Abhik262 View Post
    So i can assume the two GTS 320s would be a bad way to go. the only reason i said this was because on www.tomshardware.com, they have a set of charts for comparing GPUs and 2 8800GTSs seem to perfrom much better than an 8800 ultra.

    Anyway, i gues id better hope that the 9800GTX price cut in the UK occurs before 22nd july.
    HD4850 is better than the 9800GTX and is cheaper than it right now and will still be cheaper after the nVidia price cuts. The HD4850 is the best budget GFX choice hands down, just read one of the reviews on the card and you'll see for yourself that its the best choice. I have yet to see a review recommend an nVidia product over the ATI one. Read the Toms Hardware review even its got the came conclusion every other review has... the HD4850 is the best card.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    The Scythe Mine is also very good find a post from Blitzen to see example temps in his sig (if i remember correctly about 40oC under full load with an overclock).
    My temps are in my sig with an overclocked Q6600 cooled with a Scythe Mine (ambient temps in room usually 25 degrees)

    I also second the recommendation for an X38 board and the 4850. I have the X38 ABIT QuadGT and its great. It also does the full bandwidth if you go Crossfire. Still be cheaper than a good SLI board (if there is such a thing).
    It will also allow a decent upgrade path for another GPU or the newer FSB1600 CPU's if you eer want to.

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    Re: Help With making a decision on motherboard

    Quote Originally Posted by Abhik262 View Post
    So i can assume the two GTS 320s would be a bad way to go. the only reason i said this was because on www.tomshardware.com, they have a set of charts for comparing GPUs and 2 8800GTSs seem to perfrom much better than an 8800 ultra.

    Anyway, i gues id better hope that the 9800GTX price cut in the UK occurs before 22nd july.
    Oh so you don't own the GTS's? THEN STOP!!!!!!!!!

    Get a 4850 or a 4870 if you use higher resolutions and like your AA/AF. The GT's are old and slow now.

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