Need help deciding on a motherboard

[Nuk Soo AL]

Hello all,
I'm new here and having the darnedest time deciding on a motherboard.Cpu is a E6600 and i won't be doing any oc right away but plan to in the future,my price limit is 250$.Any help is appreciated.


I would like to add that 250$ is the absolute highest I am willing to go and much prefer it to be lower.

 

[Heidfirst]

what features do you need (RAID, firewire, Crossfire/SLI etc.)?

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

I'm just looking for something that is fast and reliable, nothing difficult to set up.As far as features go I don't think I need anything special,but i would like to oc the processor eventually. I definitely wont be needing SLI/Crossfire.Pc will be used for mostly standard stuff,Lite to moderate gaming ,internet surfing,watching anima,digital camera and some movie backups mostly.

 

[krnmastersgt]

GA-P35-DS3L, like $70-80 on newegg, it's everything that you need, and this way you have money for better video card

 

[Quiksilver]

Can we at least get a complete run down of what you have now or plan on buying for this system?

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

Here is what i got so far Quiksilver.


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Seagate Barracuda 500GB http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16822148288

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16820146755

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16819115017

8800GTS (G92) http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16814127325

Antec Nine Hundred http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16811129021

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16817139004

 

[chriskwarren]

Any P35 chipset based board will do for you. The Gigabyte line as krnmastersgt mentioned is a good value. A few small issues (ie. DPC latency...check out the forum here, may not be a problem for you) but I built a system with the GA-Ep35-DS3P, which is very similar to the DS3L, with 4GB Mushkin ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16820146731), the Q6600, 8800GT, the Nine Hundred case and Corsair psu (similar rig to yours).

Worked right out of the box, and I OC my Q6600 to 3.0ghz first try with no extra volts. Rock solid system and fast.

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

would that work with a Q9300 without a bios flash?

 

[yehuda]

Yes. All of Gigabyte's EP35 series boards support Q9300 out of the box.

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

Would this ram http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16820146755 be compatible with this motherboard http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16813128083 ?If not could someone please recommend some ram that is compatible thanks.

 

[lopri]

Yes, they are compatible. But if you're willing to spend up to $250, I'd suggest you take a look at X38/X48 boards as well.

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

What do you guys think of this motherboard GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16813128089 and would the ram http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16820146755 i selected be compatible and a good choice?

 

[shleepy]

Originally posted by: lopri
Yes, they are compatible. But if you're willing to spend up to $250, I'd suggest you take a look at X38/X48 boards as well.

IMO, P35 boards seem to be way more recommended for stability and reliability, if you're not looking for SLI and whatnot.

 

[jimmyzaas]

Originally posted by: Nuk Soo AL
What do you guys think of this motherboard GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16813128089 and would the ram http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16820146755 i selected be compatible and a good choice?

Doesn't that only have 6 sata ports? I dunno about you but that seems a bit too little. With the esata bracket installed.. it essentially leaves you with 4 ports..

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

Cant imagine i would every need more than four really 2 hd, dvd-r/+r and maybe a dvd-rom, am I missing something?

 

[Nuk Soo AL]

Would a GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16813128336 be a better choice than http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16813128089 and would the ram i selected http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?item=N82E16820146755 be compatible and a good choice?