Best Motherboard for the Price NOW!

[M1A]

Going to go with a upgrade of just the motherboard and a C2D processor and want some feed back from the board on what MB to get? I am looking at a P35 Asus ,Abit, etc now but would like to hear from some of you users that have these setup and running for some time........
I have a Pent D 840 now and would like a bit of an upgrade maybe some input on a processor also. 4500,6750 ect
Thanks in advance

 

[cozumel]

I can't comment on the mobo as I haven't had P35 long enough except to say I always prefer Asus or Gigabytle boards.

On the CPU front the 6750 is a great chip, but if you can streatch your budget just a little bit further the Q6600 G0 overs better performance and is great value.

 

[M1A]

Thanks for the input. I know its a new chipset out now but those boards are over 200 and I want to stay 125-150 for a MB. I will consider the Q6600 and missed the frys 199 special.

 

[Denithor]

Abit IP35 is a great board and is about $100 after $25MIR (ends today, jump on it).

You can add an e2180 for $82.50 if you are into overclocking (should hit >3GHz with this combo easily) or an e6750 for $189 if you aren't in overclocking.

You will also need some DDR2 memory, just add it in the configurator there also (2x1GB Mwave DDR2-667 for $35). That memory will suit either overclocking the e2180 or the e6750 at stock speeds perfectly.

 

[M1A]

Just ordered this board thanks.....

 

[Denithor]

Cool, if you run into any problems there is a great thread with detailed instructions for overclocking on the IP35-E (same board but without firewire/raid).

I don't know if you already ordered CPU/RAM yet but if not you might consider the e2140 and save the extra bucks until January/February, when the Penryn dual cores are available. The e8200 or e8400 look to be fantastic overclockers and even at stock speeds with 6MB cache they will completely rock for gaming, media encoding, F@H, or whatever else you like to do.

 

[M1A]

Ok great, is the e2140 the best chip for the money now? better than 4300 /4500? Its just a lot of new chips not like 2 years ago.....

 

[VirtualLarry]

E2140 is best "bang for buck". Should OC to 3.0Ghz or slightly more. Cheapest dual-core C2D chip. Microcenter has them for $60.

 

[M1A]

Would I benefit going from a Pent D 840 3.2 to the E2140? Somehow I do not get it. I was thinking about the E6320 for $175 but if I will be ok with the E2140 maybe I will do that. I may just use the Pent D 840 for a while and go to the Q6600.
Thoughts?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

IP35 is the best low-cost board at this time. IP35-E was the KING @ $60 AR but item is sold out at NewEgg last week.

 

[cozumel]

If I had the choice I would keep the Pentium D and put the E2140 money aside for Q6600 SLAR G0 in the new year once the pot had grown.

 

[M1A]

I am thinking of just that right now....

 

[vailr]

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/69355/

The three new models that have popped up, official launch is 01/08 for the models below:

E8200 2.66GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $177.00

E8400 3.0GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $198.00

E8500 3.16GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $281.00

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Finally dumped those 7x multi chips.

 

[M1A]

7x multi?
What?