Help me setup new Intel Core 2 Duo system

[src0010]

Ok, time for that dreaded general question!! I'm in the drafting stages of piecing together plans for a new system & kind of out the loop lately. I have decided on a Intel Core 2 Duo system. What I would really like input / opinions on is a good MB. I'm a bit confused on the cons & pros between the P965 & LGA775 boards. My known selections are listed below. I would love to hear any and all opinions on any recomeended MB's? Thanks!!

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz

Motherboard: Undecided

Case: Antec Performance I P180B

Power Supply: Undecided

Memory: Undecided

 

[imported_RedStar]

Well since you don't mention graphics at all ...and have only 13 posts here, i will guess that you are not a gamer.

So you don't need alot of power unless you are into other things like rendering and the like.

I guess we really should establish what you want to do with your machine first.

as for the differences between the 965/975x/nvidia's 680i (if you need sli) chipset platforms....

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1077287
(old info when pricing is mentioned)

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1967669


The most popular 965 based solution seems to be
or the asus p5b-e (revision 1.02g)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131070

or asus p5b deluxe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045

for the 975x based solution ...most popular seems to be the ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

the 680i board goes to EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (first on market) :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

but all the big buzz seems to revolve around the asus striker --but it is 420$ cdn!!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131074


But at any rate you can check out the specs and the reviews to make a choice.

And until we know what graphics you need..we can hold off on the power supply thoughts

Edit: you can also follow this thread for the Ds3 -p965 based solution:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1908390&enterthread=y

 

[src0010]

Thanks for the reply RedStar I looking over all the links. I should have mentioned this is not going to be a gaming system.

The main apps that I will be running are Visual Studio.Net, Adobe Photoshop, and some music production apps like Ableton Live. So mainly going to be used for Software/Web Development and Music production with a lot of multi tasking going on. So still can use lots of power.

In addition, not so much concerned with over clocking and the such as with rock solid performance & a compatible system. Basically wanting to put together a solid compatible system that will be able to multi-task running intensive apps & be up to date for the next several years.

 

[src0010]

In addition will probably stick with a on-board video card since not planning on gaming (might upgrade later if needed), but will upgrade to a nice sound card later on down the road (as mentioned one use will be for music production).

 

[imported_RedStar]

Well..in my opinion then..i would say get the asus p5b-e.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

redstar- maybe you can answer my question. I'm on a budget, but I do a lot rendering and will be purchasing an sli capable mobo, to go with my sli card. Boards with 680i chipset are still pretty expensive. Do the 680i make a huge difference in rendering applications, say as oppsoed to an nvidia nforce4 or other slightly lower cost chipsets?

 

[src0010]

After reading reviews on here and newegg leaning towards either the ASUS P5B-E or the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3.

As for the 965 MB's the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 seems to be pretty solid reviews also and the top pick here on anandtech.



To others that might be reading this post heres another great article/resource on Anandtech on the the 965mb's:
Intel P965: Mid-Range Performance Sector Roundup

 

[imported_RedStar]

Well, please keep in mind i have not done any rendering or other professional graphics work myself.

But i would say the things that make the most difference are:

using a professional graphics card (as they are heavily optimised for professional programs like 3d studiomax)

Obviously since we are on a budget here, we will not worry about such a huge priced adventure (though there are some cheap.

we need gobs of ram.

the only problem i see using an older chipset is ..future upgradability.

ie...680i boards support intel's quad core. A board like ASUS P5ND2-SLI Socket T (nforce4) does not.

here is a cheap nforce 4 based solution:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131578
(ASUS P5ND2-SLI )

http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=675&cid=3
review (april 28, 2005)

(you can use both links to check out the features ...vs the ones for the more expensive 680i boards i first posted)

Right off the bat we need to know whether or not it supports the core 2 duo line.
the answer is....

NOPE


--you trade overclocking potential vs cost but You might want to look at:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2786&p=2
(comparison of 590/570 features)


or perhaps check out am2 with more mature sli offerings.

My recommendation would be to wait for 680i prices to stabilize --around febuary (if you can)

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

So if I have this straight, the nforces do not allow core 2 duo, well forget them then. The 590/570 seems like a good choice, but other than the 680i, the only other board available that will let me run two sli quadro cards at both 16x is the 590. Hmmm, will the 590 allow feature upgrability to the quad core like the 680? Overclocking isn't that important to me since relaibilty will be key for long renders and animations.

EDIT: wow, the am2 boards with the 590 chipset all seem about $100 cheaper than those for socket T, why is that?