Best motherboard for C2D E6600?

[Addikt]

Hi, I'm looking at building a new computer. I have pretty much selected all my parts but I am still undecided on the motherboard. The main reason is that the Intel 975X chipset supports crossfire. I want to try to avoid paying the extra money for crossfire capability and so I would like to know what the best motherboard is for a SINGLE GPU build. The problem is that the 975X chipset has shown to be a better all around performer than the 965 chipset, including overclocking ability. I don't know if I'm going to overclock yet, but if I ever plan on trying it I would like a motherboard that will overclock decently and from what I've read it's the 975X chipset that's best, but I have not found a 975X based mobo that does NOT support crossfire. Do they exist? And what motherboard would you guys recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Henny]

If you don't care about Crossfire then why not go the 965 route. Either DS3 or P5B and E6300 or E6400.

There are some very impressive OC's with these combinations and you'll save $'s over a 975 MB.

 

[Atty]

I don't think any non crossfire 975X boards. ATI gave intel the tech to build Crossfire capapble boards with the 975X.

I'd say (right this minute) the ASUS P5W Deluxe is the best motherboard for C2D. I personally am waiting for nForce 500 Chipset motherboards to release (hopefully soon).

 

[savvy]

P5W is swell for Xfire.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'm going to chill out for Abit's AW9D. I know I said this in other threads, but it looks like it could really be a contender in overclocking. Based on Abit's former boards that I've used it should be.

 

[Pabster]

Best is going to be a Bad Axe, or ASUS P5W-DH (Preferable).

If you want to save $125 and can live with a lower overclock, a 965 board like the DS3 is fine.

 

[Dissident]

P5B Deluxe.

this ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231065

 

[fire400]

the most expensive asus board. anandtech reported it to be the best. and it is the best by far.

 

[Addikt]

Thanks for the replies. I too was thinking about waiting it out for nForce 500, but I just don't know how soon that will be. Also I would like to save the money and go with the 965 chipset, but I have heard that they don't work all that well with the E6600s.

Also I'd like to get that Gskill RAM, but I can't I live in Canada so NewEgg isn't an option. Right now I have settled on OCZ GOLD EL PC2-6400.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Addikt
Thanks for the replies. I too was thinking about waiting it out for nForce 500, but I just don't know how soon that will be. Also I would like to save the money and go with the 965 chipset, but I have heard that they don't work all that well with the E6600s.

Also I'd like to get that Gskill RAM, but I can't I live in Canada so NewEgg isn't an option. Right now I have settled on OCZ GOLD EL PC2-6400.

I've heard good things about the Gigabyte DS3 and if I was buying now I'd get that. Corsair XMS2 6400 is supposed to be solid memory as well.

 

[Skott]

Lot of people are combining the P5W DH with E6600+ chips. Most posts I have read about it seem to be using GSkill & Corsair 6400 (800) RAM with it.

 

[Addikt]

The problem for me is that GSkill, Corsair, and Geil are expensive as hell. I can't find a Canadian distributor that offers these products at competitive prices.

 

[Talcite]

Look at NCIX. They do price matching. Corsair should be easy to find. The P5B deluxe is the board used on the rig currently holding the world's fastest OCed e6600. Although the world's fastest x6800 is on the D975XBX. Up to you.