E6300 mobo on a budget

[Skyguy]

Live in Canada (can't order from Newegg), and am looking to do an E6300 build on a budget. Am open to mATX and ATX options. I'd like to do a bit of overclocking if possible, but nothing major.......from what I understand the 6300 will smoke on stock speeds. Here's my options so far, please critique or offer other suggestions. I'm open to whatever.

-Asus P5L-VM 945G, mATX, 667 DDR2 - $117
-Gigabyte 8l946GMF, mATX, 667 DDR2 - $119

-Gigabyte GA-8I945P, ATX 667 DDR2 - $100
-Asus P5ND2-SLI, ATX 667 DDR2 - $100

I'd appreciate any feedback/help. SLI is not necessary, but for the same price as the Gigabtye ATX, why not? Unless one/some of these boards are crap. My problem is spending another $60 CDN on a mobo that can OC better means then I gotta get 800 RAM (expensive here in Canuckland), etc. It's a chain reaction that causes the build price to cost a couple hundred $$ extra by the time tax/shipping is figured in.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[o1die]

Only advice is to avoid onboard video if possible, unless you don't have any money for a video card. Those chipsets tend to be a little slower. You can also download the owner's manual before ordering to see what adjustments are in the bios for overclocking.

 

[Skyguy]

I plan on using my 7900GTO for the build, it'll hold me for a year until the Vista/DX10 bugs and prices get worked out

Good idea at checking the owner's manuals! I'll take a look. I think I'll avoid an mATX after considering my options. And I've had good experiences with ASUS, so the P5ND2-SLI might be a good plan on a budget.....

 

[cmdrdredd]

Gigabyte S3 is looking good if you're going for a more value approach.

 

[Jen]

if you want to do overclocking then stick with full size atx board , .

hugs

Jen

 

[hans007]

the 945 / 946 chipsets rae not the best for overclocking because they are made on 130nm chipset process. neither is the nforce sli one.

965 chipset is made on the new 90nm process which is why people can get up to 500 bus on some gigabyte 965 boards.

if you intend to o/c even a little, might wanna pick one of those up.

 

[Skyguy]

Hmmm.....965.......how about these, they're shown in increasing price range.......what's the best bang for the buck? I don't mind spending an extra $40 if it'll make a huge difference.

-MSI P965 Neo-F - $117
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=010912&cid=MB.157

-Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H - $132
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011201&cid=MB.157

Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 - $151
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011028&cid=MB.157


At this point, I'm not sure if I can afford the 800 RAM, might have to go with 667. Will that make sure a huge difference on these boards or on OC'ing?

 

[YoungGun21]

Go with the S3 its a solid board. Go with some decent 667 RAM w/ heatspreaders. It should be fine if you don't plan to go for major OC results...most 667mhz RAM will do 800mhz+.

Even if your ram will only do 800mhz thats still 2.8ghz for the E6300.

Also I'm not sure if those are canadian dollars or american but the S3 can be found for ~$120 at other websites...

NewEgg has it for $118, so $151 is price gouging in my book...I bet you can find cheaper if you look.

 

[Skyguy]

It's Canadian And Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, so I'm screwed. I'll continue to look around but it's not promising.

Did some research today and decided to spend a bit more $$ to make it worth my while. No sense in cheaping out for $40 if I'm gonna drop $600 anyway. Do I need a board with a heatpipe to help with the chipset temps and keep the board cooler?

I think I'm gonna choose between the S3 and the Asus P5B on the 965 chipset. I'd appreciate any input, dunno much about the Asus board. Thanks.

 

[theAnimal]

directcanada.com should be a little cheaper.

 

[hans007]

the msi p965 is not so great for overclocking as it doesnt have vcore tweaks.

 

[Clones123]

Originally posted by: hans007
the msi p965 is not so great for overclocking as it doesnt have vcore tweaks.

AFAIK, the MSI P965 Neo-F only supports a standard 1.8 V vdimm which severely limits your RAM choices. That, combined with the weak passive chipset cooling means that overclocking is a non-starter. I wouldn't buy into a dead-end when there are other options.

Personally, I DO want to take advantage of the Allendale's outstanding overclocking potential. Even if your budget mobo BIOS supported it, by the time you add improved chipset cooling (heatsinks/fans) you're getting close to the cost of better mobo anyway, IMHO.