Got this

[Sniper82]

I decided with these and have them on the way:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005


I just need a mobo now. I can't decide. I want some o/cing features but nothing hardcore. My goal is for 2.6-2.9ghz or so(if I can hit it). So I would like a mobo that is known to hit that no problem providing my memory holds up. I'd like to keep it at or around $100 if possible. I know the DS3 is probably my best option for a C2D board but I don't want to spend $140-$150.

Is there any good solid boards for $100 or so or should I at least spring for a S3 for around $120? Or just bite the bullet and get a DS3(or something else)? I can't make my mind up .

Please don't make me use newegg reviews

 

[tcG]

Best board around $140 is the P5B-E...

...other than that the S3 is your best bet.

The RAM you ordered isn't so great for the price... you could have gotten some of this D9 Micron stuff which people are getting past DDR2 950+...

 

[LouPoir]

Asus P5B-E or Gigabyte DS3

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: tcG
Best board around $140 is the P5B-E...

...other than that the S3 is your best bet.

The RAM you ordered isn't so great for the price... you could have gotten some of this D9 Micron stuff which people are getting past DDR2 950+...

Well I am getting the OCZ for $160 shipped used. With memory as high as it is now I hate to give more than $150 for some so I figured $160 is a good deal. I would have def went with something else if I was spending that much.

Which of the two is likely to give me less problems with my memory? I heard some DS3's you had to but some lower voltage memory in before you can get it to boot? Is that still a issue.

 

[tcG]

The DS3 RAM issue shouldn't be a problem since your OCZ boots at 1.9V.

I'm telling you though, the P5B-E is the board you want.

http://anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2871&p=14

The RAM is definitely going to be the thing to hold you back... I wouldn't expect much more than 50MHz past stock out of that stuff.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: tcG
The DS3 RAM issue shouldn't be a problem since your OCZ boots at 1.9V.

I'm telling you though, the P5B-E is the board you want.

http://anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2871&p=14

The RAM is definitely going to be the thing to hold you back... I wouldn't expect much more than 50MHz past stock out of that stuff.

Well the ASUS P5B-E does look nice and I like the eSATA as I am looking for a enclosure for my HDD. But its nearly $160 shipped . Gonna have to think about this for a few . Is there any Value memory that you think would clock better?

 

[tcG]

People wanting to overclock with a cheap motherboard, cheap RAM, and a multiplier-limited processor are always in a sticky situation since the kind of FSB the E6300 needs to achieve a moderate overclock (~3.4GHz) simply isn't achievable by the kind of RAM their budget allows... if that made any sense.

In the event that you can change your RAM out for something better, I would get the S3, E6300, and the GSkill 6400CL5D-2GBNQ... which uses a lower binned D9 Micron that people seem to be getting DDR2 950+ out of... and on extended voltages, even DDR2 1000.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

Even if you don't change your RAM, there's no point in getting anything above an S3, since you're RAM is going to be a big limiter.

 

[Sniper82]

Well once memory comes back down to a decent price I'd likely get something better and sell this off. Can one not run a divider on a Intel like you can a AMD(939) system? I haven't had a Intel for years.

Which is the best option getting better higher priced memory now and a cheaper mobo? Or getting a good mobo now with cheaper memory and getting better memory later?

 

[tcG]

Nope. Just 1:1 with Intel.

We still have a northbridge.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: tcG
Nope. Just 1:1 with Intel.

We still have a northbridge.

LOL

Which would you do?

Better higher priced memory now and a cheaper mobo? Or getting a good mobo now with cheaper memory and getting better memory later? Unfortunately both doesn't fit in the budget right now

 

[stogez]

I would get the better mobo now and memory later. DDR2 HAS to come down in price sometime

 

[Sniper82]

Difference in these two?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030

Other than the E at the end?

 

[tcG]

It looks as though the only thing your budget is going to allow is the S3... and that's fine, it's a great board.

Being stuck with a multi limited E6300, your theoretical OC is going to be a lot higher with high-clocking RAM...

...like I said before, not much beats these.

So,
E6300 ( x 7 multi)
S3
F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ (capable of DDR2 950+)

...will get you a theoretical OC of 3325MHz (475 * 7)...

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: tcG
It looks as though the only thing your budget is going to allow is the S3... and that's fine, it's a great board.

Being stuck with a multi limited E6300, you're theoretical OC is going to be a lot higher with high-clocking RAM...

...like I said before, not much beats these.

So,
E6300 ( x 7 multi)
S3
F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ (capable of DDR2 950+)

...will get you a theoretical OC of 3325MHz (475 * 7)...

These?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231061

Or These:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

you linked me to both

Also are most E6300's known to hit 3.2ghz +?

 

[tcG]

F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

Originally posted by: Sniper82


Also are most E6300's known to hit 3.2ghz +?

It's more about how far you're motherboard and RAM is willing to go than your CPU... Allendales (E6300/E6400) actually OC a tad bit better than their Conroe (E6600+) counterparts.

The only reason an E6300 would be clocking lower than an E6600 would be because of the insane FSBs needed on a 7x multi.

 

[Sniper82]

Is the DS3 worth the extra $20 for solid caps over the S3?

 

[tcG]

IMO, the DS3 shouldn't even be on your list...

$120- S3
$150- P5B-E
$180- P5B Deluxe
$250- P5W-DH
$300+ -- Asus Striker Extreme