850e chipset

[FordFreak]

I am going to be upgrading to a pentium 4. I am looking to get the 850e chipset and was wondering what is the best mobo out with that chipset. I would like some opinions asap. I want to o/c but I also want good stablity. Thanks.

 

[cobrasvt]

For me, it was the Gigabyte 8IHXP. The board has it all. The max FSB though is limited to 156 mHz, so this board is paired better for a higher clock P4 rather than the 1.6A. It is the only 850e board that is paired with Intel's ICH4 hub as well. If you want to wait another month (?), Asus will be launching the P4T533 (32bit RDRAM support vs 16bit RDRAM support) which allows you to use 1 RDRAM module compared to a pair of modules. Asus will be including a 256mb module with the board as well. Street prices for it will probably range in the $290-$320 price range I'm guessing... The 8IHXP can be had for around $164 from Multiwave. If you are buying the RDRAM at the same time, remember that you need a "pair" of modules and I would suggest getting PC1066. You can find Kingston's 256mb modules for around $130 a stick, or the 128mb modules for around $70 a stick. These are both PC1066 spec rated modules. You can view the specs for the 8IHXP here at this link. The P4T533 can be seen here at this link. You can read a review about the 8IHXP along with the P4T533 here at Tom's Hardware, and then a full blown review of the P4T533 here at t-break. Both are good reads.

Good luck

 

[FordFreak]

I was also thinking about the gigabyte until I saw that about the 32bit rdram. Read the review at toms hardware but it is a little confusing. From what I understand, by the way it illustrated the path, you still need something in both slots. pic 1 pic 2

 

[cobrasvt]

32bit RDRAM still requires a crimm. The biggest difference between 32bit vs 16bit is that only 1 rimm is requirred vs. 2, and the termination resistors are actually on the crimm with the 32bit boards, and are on the motherboard with the 16bit boards. However, both platforms effectively are able to process at 4.2gb per second. As stated in the review, its basically a marketing ploy to try to get more people to use RDRAM based systems. I have read a lot of people saying lately that RDRAM is cheaper than DDR. While this is true to a point, it is really a moot point when you consider that you have to buy 2 rimms compared to a single piece of DDR. Ala, enter 32bit RDRAM...

 

[FordFreak]

I am going to go with the gigabyte then. Cheaper to get 512mb with 16bit than 32bit if you price accordingly. Two 128mb pc800 sticks of 16 bit is cheaper than one 256mb pc800 stick of 32bit from what I found on pricewatch.

 

[cobrasvt]

I don't think 32bit RDRAM is available yet? You priced PC800 memory. While this is okay, I would seriously recommend getting PC1066 especially if you plan on overclocking, or getting a 533fsb P4. You may be able to get away with PC800, if you can find original Samsung low density modules. They seem to run at the higher FSB with the 4x multiplier just fine...