Motherboard for new system

[imported_KING]

I've been lookin around for motherboards as I am about to build my first computer soon I haven't really settled on one yet but I'll tell you what I want from it and see if you guys can give me any good suggestions.

I will be getting a C2D E6400. I will be using this PC for gaming, but SLI is not a must(highly doubt i will ever get one in the near future) however if i can get it with a decent price it doesn't really matter to me. That brings me to the price, which I want to be hopefully less then 200$. I will not be overclocking. So basically:

1. C2D motherboard
2. Gaming
3. >=$200
4. No overclocking, SLI not too important

Finally, this will be the first computer I have ever built, and while I am usually pretty smart when it comes to computers, the one thing i am a little shy on is the hardware. So I want this motherboard to be pretty easy and user friendly... I've read reviews and theres always people saying bad stuff about everything so I am confused on what would be a good reliable board for a beginner like me. Any help would be appreciated, and if you need any more information just ask

 

[imported_KING]

ok i forgot, although it is pretty standard, im planning on using 2GB of DDR2 RAM.

 

[imported_KING]

uppin for a reply.... sorry i keep bumpin this but its got a lot of views and still no response... ill just let it die after this but please reply lol.

 

[Agent11]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127014

This is the board I would recommend.

Check zipzoomfly, they had it for 40$ less and free shipping last I checked.

 

[imported_KING]

thanks, some things im wondering...

is the 975X a good chipset? How does it compare to the P965? I dont know if this really matters, but before I was only looking at P965's. Otherwise looks like a pretty good board, not many frills but I dont think I'd use them anyways. I'll definitely consider this, thanks.

 

[Rafael]

Well the 975X is faster than the P965, but it really depends what processor you want to run and what are your intentions.
If you do plan to OC and use the E6400, probably the P965 will suite you better.
But it really depends on what you want to do.
You said you are going to play games. But do you play intense games? Are you going to SLI?
If you plan to SLI I think the 680i would be better. Or even the 975X.
If you are going to use a single VGA and want to OC the E6400 to very high levels, than the P965 will be your choice.

Rafael

 

[Conky]

Here's my recommendation. I have researched the P965 boards too.

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 This seems to be a very popular board and is designed to be more durable than the S3. It is supposed to be very easy to use as well.

 

[imported_KING]

thanks guys. uhm, well im not overclocking as far as i know, never did it before and i dont really feel like risking it. It sucks because i know that the C2Ds are supposed to be really good at overclocking but I just dont think Im going to do it. Also if a board has SLI on it I don't mind but its not a necessity for me, since I'm not likely to be getting 2 cards anytime soon.

 

[Rafael]

Well I guess you just answered your question then.
What BeachBoy recommended to you, would be just fine.
Budget, would save money to spend more on VGA or whatever else you would like to.

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: Rafael
Well the 975X is faster than the P965, but it really depends what processor you want to run and what are your intentions.
If you do plan to OC and use the E6400, probably the P965 will suite you better.
But it really depends on what you want to do.
You said you are going to play games. But do you play intense games? Are you going to SLI?
If you plan to SLI I think the 680i would be better. Or even the 975X.
If you are going to use a single VGA and want to OC the E6400 to very high levels, than the P965 will be your choice.

Rafael

How can you say it's "faster"? Every review and benchmark I've seen shows the 965 chipset is faster. After all, it is a newer chipset and has the ICH7 disk controller (vs ICH6 on the 975).

I recommend the Asus P5B Deluxe.