I am helping build two computers - one for family, one for a friend. However, I don't want to screw up.
I know this is the sort of question covered before, but no motherboard currently meets the criteria I need. However, I am willing to do some modding if that helps me achieve these goals so this question is not simply about the boards as they currently stand but rather also about what potential they have with some modding/bios mods&tweaks. In this I am less knowledgeable so am looking for help.
The long and short of it is:
Key criteria:
- Good overclocking (so high HTT as using 3000+, vcore upto 1.6V, vdimm preferably 3V but otherwise at least 2.8V as using 1GB dimms - DFI, MSI, Epox, Abit among others would meet this)
- Low noise - not necessarily silence but low noise as these setups are for quiet computing (Abit AN8 Ultra, and Asus Premium both fit this but others like DFI certainly don't)
- Stability and quality (obvious one but this might count MSI out as they are known for some flakeiness - just check their own forums)
- Enough PCI-E slots including a 4x PCI-E compatible slot - given this will be the new universal and given these PCs are meant to last and take upgrades such as the PhysX PPU this is crucial. As I understand a second full length graphics card slot will work with a 4x PCI-E slot card with its shorter slot length. (Problem is mobos like Abit AN8 Ultra don't have a 4x PCI-E slot or a second full length graphics card slot - current motherboards seem short on PCI-E lanes - possible solution might be like DFI or with an SLI board where running both lnes at 8x and fit a 4x card there)
- Low cost - the lower the better while fitting the above requirements
Desired criteria:
- Good on-board sound at low CPU utlisation (MSI meets this while DFI and MSI trail but at least have good cpu utilisation) - otherwise a cheap sound card solution with low CPU utilisation for 2.1. Does the Chaintech have low CPU utilisation in 2.1 sound in games?
The only solutions I can currently see might be:
DFI Ultra D - with SLI mod - putting in Zalman passive heatsink - while running the graphics card in the second slot running at 8x as the heatsink will prevent the graphics card in the first slot. PhysX PPU or other upgrades can run in the first full length slot or the 4x PCI-E slot provided. Problems: will the 8x PCI-E performance affect graphics card performance now or for the graphics card in the next generation (after 7800)?
Asus Platinum SLI as it's quiet with decent overclocking. However, it's expensive and with the on-board sound will require a sound card ontop increasing the cost yet further.
Maybe MSI, if all the problems people complaining about are wrong?
Or try and wait for ATI chipset to come out with their separate north and southbridge (for quietness), good overclocking and HD sound (although only DFI will make the utilisation suitably low with their Karajan Audio module)?
Comments?
I know this is the sort of question covered before, but no motherboard currently meets the criteria I need. However, I am willing to do some modding if that helps me achieve these goals so this question is not simply about the boards as they currently stand but rather also about what potential they have with some modding/bios mods&tweaks. In this I am less knowledgeable so am looking for help.
The long and short of it is:
Key criteria:
- Good overclocking (so high HTT as using 3000+, vcore upto 1.6V, vdimm preferably 3V but otherwise at least 2.8V as using 1GB dimms - DFI, MSI, Epox, Abit among others would meet this)
- Low noise - not necessarily silence but low noise as these setups are for quiet computing (Abit AN8 Ultra, and Asus Premium both fit this but others like DFI certainly don't)
- Stability and quality (obvious one but this might count MSI out as they are known for some flakeiness - just check their own forums)
- Enough PCI-E slots including a 4x PCI-E compatible slot - given this will be the new universal and given these PCs are meant to last and take upgrades such as the PhysX PPU this is crucial. As I understand a second full length graphics card slot will work with a 4x PCI-E slot card with its shorter slot length. (Problem is mobos like Abit AN8 Ultra don't have a 4x PCI-E slot or a second full length graphics card slot - current motherboards seem short on PCI-E lanes - possible solution might be like DFI or with an SLI board where running both lnes at 8x and fit a 4x card there)
- Low cost - the lower the better while fitting the above requirements
Desired criteria:
- Good on-board sound at low CPU utlisation (MSI meets this while DFI and MSI trail but at least have good cpu utilisation) - otherwise a cheap sound card solution with low CPU utilisation for 2.1. Does the Chaintech have low CPU utilisation in 2.1 sound in games?
The only solutions I can currently see might be:
DFI Ultra D - with SLI mod - putting in Zalman passive heatsink - while running the graphics card in the second slot running at 8x as the heatsink will prevent the graphics card in the first slot. PhysX PPU or other upgrades can run in the first full length slot or the 4x PCI-E slot provided. Problems: will the 8x PCI-E performance affect graphics card performance now or for the graphics card in the next generation (after 7800)?
Asus Platinum SLI as it's quiet with decent overclocking. However, it's expensive and with the on-board sound will require a sound card ontop increasing the cost yet further.
Maybe MSI, if all the problems people complaining about are wrong?
Or try and wait for ATI chipset to come out with their separate north and southbridge (for quietness), good overclocking and HD sound (although only DFI will make the utilisation suitably low with their Karajan Audio module)?
Comments?
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