Build first PC

[Powderhound]

Ok. got two confiliting argument here for the soon-to-be-released core 7i processors. But I think I will go with Webby. If I get the core 7i when it comes out I wont be able to get the kind of machine im looking for with my budget. And there will still be a fair amount of upgrades between the release of core 7i and the time it becomes mainstream and motherboard upgrade time.

As for SLi, I am going to follow the overwhelming number of people who say that SLi is a marketing gimmic as im not going to be playing game on a screen larger that 30" (well i might deside to plug it into a massive tv once or twice to a multiplayer game of Worms)

So my question is, if I wanted to get a motherboard with that is future proof (not including Core 7i or SLi) what would be the best option.

Look at the Asus P5Q series or the Biostar P45 board if you can get hold of one.

[MSIC]

I think you've made some good decisions, there is absolutely nothing wrong with current Core2Duo's or Quads - the next gen CPUs will have all new motherboard sockets, so the current system you buy will be about the end of the road CPU-wise. Dont take that as a negative point however, i'm personally all for not changing a CPU.
So as for a "future-proof" motherboard i suppose we are talking DDR3, although at this stage you will certainly pay for the privaledge (plus more expensive DDR3 memory itself, with no performance benefit).
What really will make a difference in something with lots of PCI-Express channels, and as many physical slots as possible (and perhaps only 1 PCI slot).
I'd also shy away from something with a fan on the motherboard chipset heatsink - just one more thing to fail in the future.
Solid-state capacitors seem all the rage from what I read.
Overall, something like this:
Gigabyte P45 DS3.
You can go with DDR2 now, and swap for DDR3 in the future if it really tickles your fancy.

By the way, lots of the higher-end (and even mid-range) boards come with on-board RAID. In my view, motherboard-based RAID isnt worth the cost of the lettering on the packaging.
If you really want RAID, buy a RAID card. If you want to keep data safe, get into making backups. If you want speed, just buy quality components.

[razor92]

Looking at the Gigabyte DS3, I noticed that it had 3 PCI express x1 slots on it. I did a bit of googling, but there seem to be very little use for them. Does anyone acctual have a use for 3 of them??

Also looking at motherboards are there any manufactures that you would recommend as high quality.

[staffsMike]

Nope, since I use onboard sound and have a PCI wireless card I don't have a use for any of my PCIe 1x.

[TAKTAK]

Looking at the Gigabyte DS3, I noticed that it had 3 PCI express x1 slots on it. I did a bit of googling, but there seem to be very little use for them. Does anyone acctual have a use for 3 of them??

nope.. i don't use any

ooh, infact, thats a lie... i do use one for the asus supremefx card (but that doesn't count as it came with the board)

Also looking at motherboards are there any manufactures that you would recommend as high quality.

IMHO
high quality = DFI/Biostar/ABit plus ASUS... ish... (ish, because their support is iffy....)
but havig said that, i buy asus boards again and again because they are reliable

[staffsMike]

Asus make very good boards, just don't support them as well as others. I've not had one fail on me though.

I'd be using DFI now abit has folded.

[razor92]

For the motherboard chipset what would be recommended keeping in mind that this will be mostly used for gaming with an Intel processor.

I am looking at either P45 or X48 chipsets. But the x48 chipsets are a bit on the expensive side, so im not sure if worth it.

[staffsMike]

Unless you want full 16x crossfire then it's not worth it. DFI P45 is the way to go Maybe the P5Q-E

[razor92]

As im going for an NVidia graphics card it kind of rules out the use of crossfire. So ill just stick with the P45 chipset.

Been looking at the Asus P5Q-E, Asus P5Q Premium and Asus Maximus II Formula motherboards all offer a wide range of features, however I dont know which one will benefit me in the long run, and which are gimmicks. Can any one shed some light on this (and also tell me if i'm making my first good PC component choice).

Oh something I ran across on the internet NVidia 3D Stereo and a Zalman 3D screen. Has any one tried this. Is it worth even considering, or is it just another marketing gimmick (because if it isn't i might give it some thought).

[MSIC]

I'm interested in the 3d thing too, but it's really waaayy too early to say if it's going to be the way all things go, or just an interesting but minor footnote in graphics history.
What does surprise me is how little exposure it's getting in the tech press. Certainly you can find reviews, but despite this no one seems to be talking about it on a regular basis. I'd be cautious right now, but i agree that it could be cool.

As for the motherboards, the ones you suggest are all variations on a theme, and are well regarded, but i view over £140 as a bit much for a motherboard, and feel much more comfortable in the £80 to £100 range.

There is a fair review of a number of quality P45 boards over at Toms Hardware, and in particular it discusses the P35, P45, X38 and X48 chipsets. It is worth at least reading the last page of, and with that in mind, i also agree not to fully rule out P35 chipset boards.

Edit: Ok, for the purpose of stimulating healthy discussion, and possibly saving some cash in the process, let me suggest the following:
This P35 board, the Asus P5K-EPU costing £66 has everything that you need on it.
Now, i might be wrong in my statement, but if anyone thinks that a different board is better then let's please state why. Compare & contrast, people!

[razor92]

Looking at the Asus P5K-EPU suggested by MSIC I noticed that it doesn't have and PCI-Express 2.0 port on it, as it is running the older P35 chipset. Would this cause any serious performance decreases with a high end graphics card like the GTX 260, or any other card I may wish to upgrade to? Would the saving made be worth it??

Also looking at the reviews that MSIC posted the Asus P5Q Deluxe seems to be a viable option. I has good reviews, feature filled. However it is a little bit pricey at £129.09.

[staffsMike]

I wouldn't get that P5K-EPU personally. I'm sure it's fine and there isn't really any major draw backs to P35 (at the moment) but the layout looks a bit poor with the motherboard power socket far away from where I would want it. I think for the little bit extra the P45 is probably worth it.

[Powderhound]

Looking at the Asus P5K-EPU suggested by MSIC I noticed that it doesn't have and PCI-Express 2.0 port on it, as it is running the older P35 chipset. Would this cause any serious performance decreases with a high end graphics card like the GTX 260, or any other card I may wish to upgrade to? Would the saving made be worth it??

Also looking at the reviews that MSIC posted the Asus P5Q Deluxe seems to be a viable option. I has good reviews, feature filled. However it is a little bit pricey.

The P5Q-E should be fine for your needs, I'd have thought.

[razor92]

The P5Q-E should be fine for your needs, I'd have thought.

Yeah. Doing more research it appears the P5Q deluxe is just a copy of th P5Q-E with a couple of extra gimmick features and a bigger price tag.

[Biscuit]

Got to start somewhere.. look at my system. I paid before I thought

Although it's only really the motherboard I regret.

I remember the polaver with the GPU... we where all trying to get them!

The P5Qs that have the P43 chipset are very good and much more affordable. As for as i know the only real drawack to the P43 is they dont have crossfire support - doesnt matter as u are buying an Nvidia card.

[razor92]

I personal think I have my motherboard sorted. I going to chose the Asus P5Q-E. It provides all the feature that I need now, and might want in the future. I may be a bit more expensive than a P43 chipset. However P45 are apparently better at being over clocked, something I intend to a lot of.

One more question I would like to ask is what Case and PSU should I get to house and power a ATX motherboard, one Nvidia GTX260 (probably, I may change this), that will also look good (well it doesn't, but it would be nice) , and be near silent if possible??