Core 2 Duo mobo recommend, for a non-gaming comp?

[mingsoup]

I'm looking for a nice motherboard for an entry level Core 2 Duo workstation. I will never use SLI, sticking only an entry level geforce board into the comp for desktop work. I'm really looking for just a cheaper yet functional Socket 775 mobo, that would complement a Core 2 Duo well for a desktop environment. I think price is a rather large concern here.

I would kinda like a board with 2 ata ports, as I have 3 devices I need to hookup. However, I suppose in a pinch, I could get rid of my Zip Drive, yet this isn't a great solution. It seems as if its hard to find a board with 2 ata ports anymore. I found some Asus board based on the Nforce 570 SLI chipset that have 2 ata ports, yet I don't really need such a hefty SLI chipset, even though Im a huge fan of everything Nforce, having used it a ton.

Any recommendations for motherboards? Or chipsets for that matter?

Also which memory is really the DDR2 standard. Is it 800?
What is a good workstation Nvidia video card for cheap? I would like to assure fast Vista support, while maybe being able to play HL2 or something like that. NO Crysis, Fear, or Quake 4, I won't kid myself, but maybe some HL1 or HL2 at a decent clip, for rather cheap?

I really tried hard to decipher my way through all the Core 2 Duo articles, but there are so many choices its Overwhelming.

 

[o1die]

You can go with the e6300 and asrock dual vsta for a cheap combo. Fry's also has the e6300 with ecs board for $180 every 7-14 days. These boards have older chipsets, so performance will take a small hit, but you won't notice it for surfing the net. Both boards use agp and ddr or ddr2.

 

[mingsoup]

The objective has changed now.


I need to build the comp for one objective:

Flight Simulator X

Things have gotten a little bit more pricey and complicated.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Conroe]

Asus P5NSLI nforce 570
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131032

With a 7600GT, or better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
better - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326853 - oops

I think the only good reason to buy a nforce Intel edition is SLi, but it is cheaper than most i965 mobos.
A Gigabyte 965-S3 is a better choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128017
Just add a card for more ATA-133 ports
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815124001

DDR2-800 is really for overclocking so you can run ~400 1:1. At stock DDR2-533 is 1:1.

 

[mingsoup]

Wow, thankyou!

 

[you2]

You might consider the foxconn p965 or ecs (the later is $99 the former is $75 after rebate). The foxconn has (so far) been well received. There should be a review on p965 boards on anandtech later this week that cover the sub $100 boards. My guess is that it will include the foxconn, and some combo of the gigabyte s3, ecs and biostar (though that's just a wild guess).

If I were running windows I would probably pick the foxconn board based on current reviews (newegg - search for p965). Havent' read too many reviews on the s3 (most of the sites have reviewed the ds3 and ds6). The foxconn is $15 cheaper than the s3 and has an external sata port otther than that (feature wise) it seems identical to the s3. The s3 might have a better bios for overclocking if gigagbyte used the same basic bios as that in the ds3.

(btw link to foxconn)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186102

 

[mingsoup]

I need to see some Flight Simulator X benchmarks, but there aren't any published yet.

Recommended System Requirements.
512 Video Ram
2 Gig System Ram
3+Ghz Cpu

That is pretty darn steep! I think I need to see the Bench before I go any further.
The Mobo Recommendations are great. I will definately wait for Anandtechs reviews of the sub 100 Core 2 Duo boards.

It says the standard DDR2 for the Foxcon is DDR2 800. Is this correct? So to match the FSB of the CPU you need to use DDR2 800?

 

[Gary Key]

Originally posted by: mingsoup
I need to see some Flight Simulator X benchmarks, but there aren't any published yet.

They will be on Monday but with a ATI X190XTX in our P965 budget board roundup.