Intel MOBO for $150 or less.

[Meziron]

Hi everyone. I'm building a new PC in 4 or 5 weeks and am looking for input on the MOBO. Here are the specs I'm shooting for so far:
2.4C
512 PC3200 Corsair XMS
Radeon 9700 Pro

I'm not sure which board would be best. I'm willing to spend up to $150 on it. I want to overclock. Here have been what I've been looking at:

MSI Motherboard for Intel Processors, Model 875P Neo-LSR

ABIT IC7, Intel 875P chipset for Socket 478 P4

Gigabyte GA-8IK1100, Intel 875P chipset

Albatron PX865PE Pro II (865PE)

I've heard that the IC7 is a good OC'er, but I've only seen reviews for the IC7-G that is more expensive. Is its little brother any good? The Albratron is the only 865PE I've looked at and it seemed pretty good and is a bit less expensive (I think it was $110).

I'm open to any suggestions; those are just a few that I've noticed.


Also- an off topic question I'll try to kill her. Is the "Dual DDR" a big enough plus to get 2 256 sticks over 1 512?


Thanks for any help.

 

[Meziron]

^

 

[tallman45]

Did you want an 865 or an 875 based mb, seems like you are not comparing apples to apples.

I have just built a rig based on the Gigabyte 8IPE1000 Pro (865PE) and so far it is everything that I expect from a Gigabyte MB. Everything works, the layout is great and everything is color coded. I have built a number of Albatron 845PE boards and they are good stable performers as well, small though as the memory and AGP touch each other.

After seeing the results of Dual Channel DDR I would definately suggest 2 sticks of mem rather than running with 1. Be careful though I remember reading that whatever capacity your first set of Dual Ch ram is the second set must also be the same (ie: 4 x 256 or 4x512 if you fill all slots). This may have been MB specific and I cannot remember where I read it, sorry.

You should be able to spend closer to $120 for a great board and perhaps put some cash towards the second 512 stick

 

[touchmyichi]

get the asus springdale