Need a new motherboard pronto

[samfrag]

Hello all,

I'm a contract game developer in cali and I do most of my digital artwork at home on the desktop. Two months ago I built this machine:

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
2x Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (4gb total)
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Well it seems the Gigabyte motherboard has crapped out on me and I need a NON-Gigabyte mobo reccomendation ASAP. I have several big projects put on hold because of this.

I've heard good things about Asus, but in reality I need something FAST and STABLE (I don't overclock) I've have a total of 5 mobos go bad on me in the past 5 years so I'm really up to my head with all these unstable boards.

My budget is $100-$200 and it obviously needs to support the E6850 processor and I don't need SLI.
Thanks in advance for any help

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Asus P45 boards take your pick!

 

[o1die]

Sounds like you need a better surge protector. I use ecs, asrock, and msi boards. I would leave enough room in your budget for the surge protector, and get 2 identical motherboards so you can get back in business fast. Send in some of those bad boards for rma warranty, and use the return boards for spares. You can even go with 2 newegg open box boards, since you probably have extra backplates after going through so many boards. I don't think the brand is the problem, it's your power source.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Welcome to the Anandtech forums btw

 

[samfrag]

Thanks, and also thanks for the suggestions.
o1die I should probably have gone into more detail, but the past 5 boards have gone out for diff reasons, and different locations. I already have a fairly super duty surge protector which is why I didn't suspect that was the cause. Thanks for the rma idea, it would be ideal to have a backup board which is what I'm going to do.

BTRY.. I checked those boards out, is there a reason there very few reviews if any on those?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Those have the latest Intel Northbridge chipset, the P45 which in its class suits you best. You could Check out the P35's also, just change the search to P35 instead of P45

 

[Spicedaddy]

There are few reviews of the P45 boards because they just came out...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Asus P5K Pro

 

[SolMiester]

Abit IP35 Dark Raider.....

 

[aiya24]

DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS

 

[NXIL]

I already have a fairly super duty surge protector which is why I didn't suspect that was the cause.

Surge protector is *not* the same as a back up power supply--big difference.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as a continuous power supply (CPS) or a battery backup is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. It differs from an auxiliary power supply or standby generator, which does not provide instant protection from a momentary power interruption. Integrated systems that have UPS and standby generator components are often referred to as emergency power systems.

Historically, UPSs were expensive and were most likely to be used on expensive computer systems and in areas where the power supply is interrupted frequently. As prices have fallen, UPS units have become an essential piece of equipment for data centers and business computers, and are also used for personal computers, entertainment systems and more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U...rruptible_power_supply

Something like this one should help, especially as summer gets hotter and power grid gets more stressed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...&OEMMark=1%2c0&bop=And

HTH

NXIL

 

[pcsavvy]

I agree with NXIL, a surge protector just doesn't cut it for ultimate protection with a computer. An UPS is far better and superior, it not only conditions the power coming in but when power either spikes or black/browns out, it's there ready to take up the slack. Good UPS's will monitor your power and inform you of black/brown outs or surges in the power. It has saved my computer a few times from sudden black/brown outs.
This will also help protect your power suppply from getting impacted by the quality of the power coming in. Your power supply will stay efficient longer on a UPS versus a surge protector.

I use an APC 800 va UPS and though I don't have to many black/brown outs it is reassuring to have it there in case something does happen.

 

[ultra laser]

Newegg reviews are really freaking irritating. Why do people list not having SLI as a con when the board is not meant to have it? It's like saying a con of a Q6600 is that it's not 3Ghz.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

You mean there are Q6600s that can't hit 3GHz?

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: aiya24
DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS

Although I agree that the DFI LP DK P35-T2RS is a great board, I don't think it really suits his needs. As he would have to be very familiar with a lot of BIOS settings, etc. I feel that any Intel P35/P45 chipset motherboard will do you well in the end.

I'm a fan of Gigabyte's boards. I have used a few and they all tend to be very well made with solid caps to boot. It's unfortunate one didn't work out well for you.