Help With Mobo for Pentium XE 955

[crazyf1nut]

Hi Guys,

I have a Pentium Extreme Edition 955 processor that I was given as a gift and I am looking for motherboards for it. I have noticed that some P965 chipset boards support it, and also 975X boards support it. I was wondering if you guys had suggestions on good models of both. I found the MSI 975X Platinum V.2 seems to be an OK 975x board, but people seem to have some problems with post issues. I was also looking at P965 boards, and people also complain about boards such as the Gigabyte GA-965p-DS3/S3 having post, DOA, and heat issues. I really want to avoid issues like these as much as possible, so I was wondering what your guys' opinion is on these two boards, and also if you suggest other boards that might be better. I dont really care about the ability to run dual graphics cards, so thats why im considering the P965. I just want something stable and fast.

Thanks so much guys

 

[hardwareking]

Well depnending on ur budget u have a few choices.
1.ASUS P5WDH
2.ASUS P5B Deluxe
3.Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6
All those cost $200+
Below $200
1.Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
2.DFI i975X/G
3.MSI 975x Platinum
Any of those will run ur processor without any problems.And all are perfectly stable.Although i'd stay away from the MSI mobo.
The ASUS P5B Deluxe or The P5WDH are the best of the lot.

 

[crazyf1nut]

Hi hardwareking,

Thanks alot for the reply, that was exactly what I was looking for. I am definitely looking to stay below $200, and the list you came up with is pretty much the boards I was thinking of.... I was just worried about the problems with DVD drives, etc... that people were having. ALso as far as ram issues, it seems like most people are just having issues with the 1.8V default boot options. Ive been switching motherboards many times in the last couple weeks struggling to find something gives me no issues, and its proving to be quite difficult. But thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[hardwareking]

The gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 is becoming the mainboard of the masses.So long as u have memory which runs at 1.8v initially u'll be fine.Some boards have a bios which won't run memory of any higher voltage.
Or get the DFI i975x/G.Since u don't OC that'll be a great system.And no known incompatability issues.Cheap too.

 

[crazyf1nut]

I like the DS3... I had another question though. I have noticed the Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H, which looks like a stellar deal, but Im not sure about how the board performs since it seems like it has just come out. I just worry about possible reliability issues with a board of that price, and from the manufacturer.. it seems like if I get lucky I will be fine with no problems, but the chances seem failry equal that I could get a lemon. I think I will go with the DS3. Thanks again

 

[hardwareking]

Its just as good.it lacks RAID.Don't think u'll be needing it though.Check out the review at techreport.com.They had a review about it a while back.