Gigabyte DS3 = best budget board?

[mkln]

hi, i was wondering if GA-965P-DS3 would be the best budget board to go with in terms of stability, features, and OC ability. i recall this being the choice of anandtech a few months ago, but is there a board which also has firewire and more IDE channels for under $130? i am choosing a board to go with a low end processor and some old parts i have hanging around so i can not go for anything with the p35 chipset.

thanks in advance for any advice and/or suggestions

 

[toadeater]

GA-N650SLI-DS4 has 2 Firewire ports and 2x2 IDE ports. $126

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128044

Just be aware that the Northbridge heats up quite a bit and could use some active cooling. But that can be fixed by pointing any generic fan at it.

 

[Heidfirst]

mm, if you can't go with a P35 then you can't go with a 965 either (P35 is just a refined 965 ) ...

 

[mkln]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
mm, if you can't go with a P35 then you can't go with a 965 either (P35 is just a refined 965 ) ...

p35 is a refined 965 which cannot accept 533MHz FSB processors; the 965 chipset CAN.

 

[Heidfirst]

ah, I misunderstood you - I read that as you couldn't go with P35 due to needing more IDE channels.
perhaps your original post could have been more informative?