In over my head choosing mobo...help?

[Zerozen Ones]

Planing a build - doing good not pestering anyone about choosing most parts...but mobo's is getting the best of me, am lost.

Heres what I have in wish list so far:

- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775
- MSI R4870-T2D512 OC Radeon HD 4870
- OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2
(... maybe X 2...its cheap )

I still have to look at power supply and CPU fan, will put in best bang/buck 750gb harddrive I can find and throw all that in Antec 900 case (tho that is flexible)

I don't plan to go crossfire in near future but would like to keep option open. Plan to do more gaming than is responsible but don't do any graphic or video editing. Care about best possible sound quality but don't need 7.1... I mostly use good headphones (may get soundcard in future but not yet) Not comfortable trying to OC so don't really care about potential for that

Yeah, that's about it: music & gaming is what I am looking for so prefer not to be paying for bunch of features I won't need/use... thats whats confusing me. I expect to pay around 150-200$ (but of course cheaper=better) So would very much appreciate suggestions from such knowledgeable folks as you guys or link to good recent buyers guide (only finding dated ones )

Many thanks

 

[o1die]

I would skip crossfire and go with a p43 or p45 motherboard. The asrock board I use has a 1600 jumper setting for overclocking. The p43 twins 1600 is a great value at $70. Crossfire is pretty expensive with the x48 boards and any dual video setup will require great case cooling and a premium power supply, about 750 watts. Anand article today tests the new 4870 with faster memory. It should be more than adequate with one card.

 

[JonW]

Here are my suggestions.....

DFI Lanparty LT P35 (this is the same mb as UT just different hs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136039

Asus P5K/P5Q/P5E line up from pro-deluxe...

Biostar T-Power I45 (easy to oc and setup)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813138118

DFI LP DK P45 Plus (more efficient compared to I45 performance wise)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136053

 

[Zerozen Ones]

Great - I ll go read up on those - thank you both

 

[sonnygdude]

Originally posted by: o1die
I would skip crossfire and go with a p43 or p45 motherboard. The asrock board I use has a 1600 jumper setting for overclocking. The p43 twins 1600 is a great value at $70. Crossfire is pretty expensive with the x48 boards and any dual video setup will require great case cooling and a premium power supply, about 750 watts. Anand article today tests the new 4870 with faster memory. It should be more than adequate with one card.

By the way, you don't need an X48 board for crossfire, the P45 chipset supports it too (although the link will be limited to x8 instead of x16 - but you shouldn't notice it unless you're gaming at crazy high resolutions). Otherwise o1die is correct - you're probably better off going with a good single card like the 4870 1GB.

My vote would be for the ASUS P5Q Pro. Or P5Q Deluxe if you're itching to spend more money. My experience with the Deluxe has been divine so far!