• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

QUICK HELP BUYING TOMORROW - Best board for new overclocked Intel system - Intel E5200

AndroidVageta

AndroidVageta

Banned
Max Price is $100 excluding shipping!!!

Building a new system based on the Intel E5200 processor and I have no idea what motherboard to use...definitely plan on overclocking and getting the most out of my CPU and board.

System specs are as followed:

Intel E5200 Link
WINTEC AMPO 4GB Link
9600GT 512MB vanilla (overclocking her too)
Antec NeoPower 550 powersupply Link

Based on specs what would be my best option? I was looking for SLI but its not necessary...a nicely overclocked 9600GT is more than enough in my eyes (and my LCD's max 1680x1050 res.)

I've narrowed it down to a five options but open suggestions and comments are welcomed ofcourse.

First board:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-UD3L - $84.99

Second board:
JetWay BI-500 - $89.99

Third Board:
ASUS P5QL PRO - $86.99

Forth board:
ECS P45T-A - $84.99 after $15 mail-in rebate

Fifth board:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L - $98.99

My first instinct is the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L...P45 chipset and PCB build is solid along with DualBIOS.

Like I said, I'm buying tomorrow...hate not having a gaming system so its first thing tomorrow.

Again...any help is greatly appreciated!!!
 
Looking at the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R. Its a bit more expensive than I wanted...and according to the reviews its not the best overclocker out there...but for the CPU I'm using it should be more than enough to power what I need it for.

Anyone have any experience with this board?
 
AFAIK the UD3R & UD3P are good OCing boards, but with the E5X00 chips you don't need much because of the high multi. My E5300 is at 3.4 default Vcore (mobo has no adjustment options).

If by reviews you mean those on newegg, other than for dead or dying components I'd advise ignoring them.
 
Return that Asrock and grab the UD3R. Take those reviews at the egg with a grain of salt. You had a chance to own one of the finest P45 mb to date, yet you chose an open box asrock mb. Besides you're going to upgrade to a quad later on in time, and you won't regret spending the extra cash with the gigabyte.
 
I thought about it...however since I'm overclocking a E5200 the Asrock should be more that good enough to do any overclocking I need done...not only that but getting the Asrock at its lower price enabled me to get a new heatsink for my CPU and video card...stock coolers for Intels and the 9600GT blows and no overclocking could be done I'm sure.

I know the UD3R would be the better board...no doubt, I love Gigabyte, always have...but the Asrock brand is one that I trust as well and I doubt the board will disappoint.
 
Actually, after talking to my step dad (and borrowing a bit of money) I canceled my order and went ahead and got the UD3R...you are right JonW...it is just better overall and brandnew...thanks for making me second guess myself...might have saved me a lot of hassle in the future.
 
Good choice on the UD3R. If you ever decide to upgrade to a Q9550 or something down the road, you will be able to overclock the sh!t out of it on that mobo.

I'm a little surprised by your choice of the 9600 GT, since the 9800 GT or HD 4830 offer about twice the shader performance for only $15-$20 more. But if you've already bought it, oh well.
 
Yeah...I know the 9600GT isn't what it used to be but honestly its more than enough for 99% of the game out there. Even at stock settings in a system with a Intel E2160 it was able to play Crysis at 720p with the DX9 to DX10 hack on and settings maxed...wasn't no 60fps...but more than playable. Fallout 3 was at 1680x1050 max settings and it played at 30fps+ at all times.

I don't play with AA on...the performance hit in my opinion isn't worth it...been playing games for 15 years with jaggies...didn't bother me then, doesn't bother me now ya know?

Plus my 9600GT will now be cooled with a Arctic Cooling Accelero S2 with a 80mm Panaflo...so unless my card sucks I should be able to overclock the piss out of it and get at least a 30% performance increase on top of its already capable stock speeds.
 
well i dont know about the current situation but in my days sli was on nvidia chipset boards and crossfire was on intel chipset boards
(Cross fire i think is also possible on intel chipset boards)
but then it might have changed and iam not old i just have been seculded myself from the boards techno
 
Originally posted by: AndroidVageta
Actually, after talking to my step dad (and borrowing a bit of money) I canceled my order and went ahead and got the UD3R...you are right JonW...it is just better overall and brandnew...thanks for making me second guess myself...might have saved me a lot of hassle in the future.
Click to expand...

You'll have a blast oc'ing/tweaking your mb that's for sure 😛 .

This is to get you started while your waiting for your mb 🙂
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums...d3r-living-review.html


Goodluck and have fun,
 
Originally posted by: ganesh1
well i dont know about the current situation but in my days sli was on nvidia chipset boards and crossfire was on intel chipset boards
(Cross fire i think is also possible on intel chipset boards)
but then it might have changed and iam not old i just have been seculded myself from the boards techno
Click to expand...

Yeah you're right on...Intel is Crossfire and nVidia is SLI...I'm not going for either...the SLI boards were way out of price range and lower end nVidia chips at that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top