Best mobo for gaming with SLI? Any dual proc+dual core?

[ReinhardHeydrich]

I'm building a new PC, and only have the video cards so far...two BFG GeForce 7800 GTXs.

What is the best motherboard available right now that has SLI? I was thinking that a dual processor mobo that can run two dual-core AMDs would be cool, but I'm not familiar with everything that's out now.

Thanks

 

[damasta55r]

DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard-198

 

[imported_Kensai]

To my knowledge, there is only one motherboard that will run two dual core CPUs and support SLI. That is the Tyan K8WE. Very nice board but you'll be stuck with two expensive Opterons and slow(ish) Registered ECC ram.

 

[freethrowtommy]

well if he is buying two 7800s... money ain't a problem... so yeah... 2 dual core Opterons would be pretty damn nice... but for gaming, won't do anything for ya... you would be best off with a 4800 oced to 2600 (or higher) or a FX-57... either of those would tear into the Opterons in gaming.

 

[ReinhardHeydrich]

Yeah, I really just want the fastest gaming performance for this computer, so I guess I'll cross the Dual-Core CPUs off my list and stick with the FX-57 for now. By the time games can use Dual-Core processors, this computer will probably be old anyways. I thought that AMD might soon come out with a fast FX-Dual-Core that I'd be able to drop into the system as an upgrade.

So what is the best gaming motherboard right now? Does anyone make a dual socket 939 motherboard?

 

[Merovingian]

No, you need to get an A8N-SLI premium mobo. You don't need the extra clocks that the MSI and DFI offerings get cause your multi will be high enough. I would go with a 4400+ and OC it cause you won't notice the difference in the frame rates based on the cpu clocks over 2.5Ghz but go with the FX if you're not going to use the second core anyway. Then you need to watercool that puppy, $500-$600 will get you a sweet system from dangerden that is designed for that mobo in sli. Still hungry? A mach II phase change cooler can help you overclock that FX-57 into the 3.3-3.6GHz range, another $1k. I can walk you though the overclock but I wanna see some pics in exchange!

 

[Heckler 5th]

Originally posted by: damasta55r
DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard-198

 

[freethrowtommy]

If you get a 4800+, you could probably get it up past 2.8 Ghz... which puts it at the FX-57 level... but then you have two cores... I think that would be the best option.

 

[ReinhardHeydrich]

OK guys...you talked me into it. I'll watercool this PC...my first watercooled rig.


I figure I have a couple options now.
1. The Asus A8N-SLI Premium (or DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR, or MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI?) with an overclocked 4800+ X2...are those things stable when overclocked to FX-57 speeds with watercooling? Or the same board with an FX-57.
-or-
2. The Tyan K8WE with a pair of overclocked Opteron 275 Dual-Core processors=a quad core PC...cool, but probably can't overclock as high, and wouldn't be as good for gaming.


For the watercooling system/case, I'm thinking this case http://www.koolance.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=28_43&products_id=192 ...combined with some Koolance or DangerDen blocks, like these for the video cards http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=64 .

 

[lopri]

Opteron route isn't really necessary or appropriate, IMO. They're purely server chips. I'd dare to say none of the desktop apps would benefit from that setup.

If you could wait a few weeks, this cooler from Zalman looks promising.

CNPS9500

It reportedly keeps the CPU cooler than water setup.

 

[Merovingian]

Can't overclock dual cpu boards, stick with the Asus and watercool at dangerden. Ask to talk to Dan and he will help you with a killer setup.