need a recommendation for Core 2 duo board

[ThePiston]

I usually do at least a week's worth of research when I build a new 'main' PC, but I don't have the time. Looks like somewhere between the E6400 and E6600 is the way to go right now. I need hardware RAID and dual channel memory slots. Anyone have a good recommendation? I'd like this baby to a decent level (not a ludacris level).

 

[BonzaiDuck]

First, you can take all this with a grain of salt.

What you shouldn't take with a grain of salt: I've been watching certain motherboards since April and July. I've yet to order the parts for my own Conroe build, but I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do.

You can get "software" RAID 0,1 or 5 with an ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard. Anandtech's own review of several ASUS boards for Conroe/Core-2-Duo gives the P5B a respectable rating.

If you want hardware RAID5, then you would spend money (as I plan also) for a board that would offer at least one PCI-E slot at x-16 -- preferably two for SLI or Crossfire -- but a third slot running at x8 for a hardware RAID controller.

The other option is to splurge $400 on an ASUS P5WDG2-WS-Pro and use a single PCI-X slot for hardware RAID5.

If all you want is RAID0 or RAID1 -- there are many choices that cost considerably less.

If you are "in a hurry" as you say, some may differ, but I'd say the P5B-Dee-Lucks is a reasonable choice . . . It all depends on what you'd be willing to live with, and what you'll want next year as opposed to "being in a hurry" right now. Extra features now mean more satisfaction later.

 

[ThePiston]

I just want Raid 1 - I always thought that hardware should do all of the thinking for the raid... isn't software raid really taxing to performance? Also, mobos don't come with hardware raid? You need an addon card?

 

[bashywash]

I'm in the Same Boat as you ThePiston. Exact needs and no time so I'll be watching this thread for all the reccomendation.

 

[Heidfirst]

If all you want is stock there are loads of 965 & 975 chipset boards that meet the requirement, see Anandtech's reviews.
Lots of 965 boards will overclock to~375-400fsb but fewer (primarily the Asus & Gigabytes) go well past that & into the 500fsb area.

 

[pcy]

Hi,

First you need to decide between 965 and 975.


I see no point in 975 unless you want dual graphics cards.


Most 965 mobos lack firewire. If that's not an issue, adn you want RAID, then The GigaByte DS3 and or Asus P5B are ther 965 friont runners IMO.


Peter

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Some of the deluxe boards come with auxiliary RAID controllers. For instance, ASUS has integrated a JMicron controller with one or more of its boards. I've yet to find sufficient information on these extra feature controllers, and the spec sheets seem to show that they're only capable of RAID0 or RAID0, -- or RAID 10.

The RAID5 requires on-the-fly parity calculation. That would grab some clock-cycles unless the controller provides its own hardware parity engine.

 

[G i R a f f e]

Gigabyte GA-965p-S3(i dont think its worth the extra 4 solid state caps)
or
Asus P5B

 

[ThePiston]

So is it rare for a mobo to have onboard hardware raid? I never seem to know which board has hardware raid or software raid.

 

[Jjoshua2]

I just got the Gigabyte DS3 for $88 refurbished! I would recommend that one especially if you can get it for such a great price.