Looking for a new 1366 motherboard

[strep3241]

I need some help. I currently have a Gigabyte X58A-UD3R. I am looking to replace it because it does not have enough PCI slots, it only has one. I only have myself to blame for that one.

I am looking for a board that has at least 2 PCI slots. It would be nice if it has SLI but that is not a must. I do not plan on doing SLI but I wanted to keep my options open.

I have heard good things about ASUS and Gigabyte boards. I may try an ASUS since I have always used Gigabyte and figured I try something different. Here are a few I looked at. This will be paired with a core i7-920 overclocked to 4.0ghz.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

Why is the second one so much cheaper?

If I install a new motherboard will I have to reinstall Windows 7 or just reactivate it? I am assuming that I will lose the current overclock I have right now which is 4.0ghz?

My max budget would be $300 but the cheaper the better. What do you think I can sell my current motherboard for?

 

[billyb0b]

anytime you reinstall windows you have to activate it again via online or over the phone

 

[tomt4535]

Do you have a dual slot video card? If so, you will not be able to use one of the 2 PCI slots on either of those boards, as the video card would cover it up. You will have to set the overclock on your cpu again once you install a new board, the settings are saved in the BIOS of the motherboard, not the CPU.

There aren't too many differences between those boards, looks like the more expensive one has dual LAN, a different cooling solution for the chipset, etc, and some more accessories.

 

[strep3241]

Yes I do have a dual slot video card, a XFX 5870. On the second motherboard, couldn't I put the card in the bottom slot? What would be some other good options?

@billyb0b, that's not what I was talking about. I meant if I install a new motherboard, would I have to reinstall Windows or just reactivate it?

 

[solofly]

I just ordered one of these for my main rig...

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-665-_-Product

 

[Pantlegz]

Yes I do have a dual slot video card, a XFX 5870. On the second motherboard, couldn't I put the card in the bottom slot? What would be some other good options?

@billyb0b, that's not what I was talking about. I meant if I install a new motherboard, would I have to reinstall Windows or just reactivate it?

If it has a different chipset you'll have to either reinstall, or run a repair. I'm not sure if vista/win7 have the repair option I haven't messed with recovering them too much. obviously repairs are much easier they just replace vital OS files.

 

[Rifter]

Neither of those board will give you 2 PCI with a 2 slot GPU installed, it will cover one. The bottom slot is not a full speed 16x slot so putting your GPU in it would not be the best idea.

I would get this board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157163

Or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157189

Or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130226

Or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131359

Or really any board where you wont have the same problem you are having now.

 

[jjmIII]

ASRock X58 Extreme 3 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

 

[strep3241]

How reliable is the Asrock brand? I plan on on overclocking to 4.0ghz if that matters.

Is there no lga1366 motherboard that has more than 2 pci slots? I could use 3 pci slots but no a absolute must. My old lga775 motherboard had 3 pci slots.

 

[Rifter]

i have not seen any with 3, the asrock boards are good not great. I do have a buddy thats running a i7 at 4Ghz on one though so they cant be that bad. If you want to stick to asus the last mobo i linked is an asus that has 2 pci that wont be blocked with a dual slot GPU.