Recommendation for 939 Mobo

[EvertonB]

Hi

My current spec is in my sig. I don't intend to run a second graphics card so i don't need crossfire (got 2 monitors and crossfire doesn't support 2). I need something stable with lots of overclocking potential. Aim to buy this weekend so need help fast please.

thanks

Everton

 

[Praxis1452]

Ultra-D for overclocking but it's gonna take some time to get it stable.

 

[Ultralight]

EvertonB, a good motherboard for overclocking and stability is the EPoX 9NPA+Ultra (this is non-Sli). It doesn't overclock like a DFI but many, many people have it here in the AnandTech community. I'm sure any questions you have their will be TONS of people that can help.

Praxis1542 is correct. DFI makes it clear that their boards are designed for serious high-end overclocking enthusiastes and that can make it tricky. It certainly is picky about RAM. There are those that really make these boards fly and love them. There are those who have given up on them. Its all according to tastes.

 

[EvertonB]

Thanks ultralight. I'm thinking of getting the a8r32-mvp as I'm used to the layout of the a8r-mvp. I know I don't need the second graphics slot, but at least I'll be able to navigate the bios

 

[Ultralight]

You're welcome and I have heard good things about that motherboard.

 

[n7]

I'm curious as to why you're dumping the A8R-MVP.

I had the same mobo, & i am so relieved to be not using it anymore.

I went with the Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe, which i've found to be an excellent motherboard for OCing, & stability.
Only complaint is the warm boot issue, which means i cannot restart, i have to shut down, & then turn on instead.

 

[EvertonB]

I'm having problems with my ram and my X1900XT runs too hot, which is triggering my radiator fan (not good very noisy) and raising my whole case temp , but because I have to put the card in the bottom graphics slot I can't change the cooler and also get my water pump in the case. On the A8r32-mvp if you're running a single card it goes in the top slot so they'll be room for me to change the GPU cooler.

 

[you2]

Ultralight -- do you recommend the epox ultra or epox sli? Is it worth considering sli as an upgrade for the extra $20 for the board ?

 

[Ultralight]

Personally I like the Ultra (and I just noticed something and I need to make clear, it has nothing to do with my forum name!) because I am not going to be running a Sli configuration. So, in many ways, it is a personal preference. I choose the Ultra because after extensive research here and abroad throughout the internet this seemed to fit exactly what I wanted. If the Sli is only $20.00 more and you want Sli then by all means do so. But from what I have read the cost to increase performance returns is not very good. Only like 20%. Though others will argue for a higher return.

The bottom line is that if you want Sli and have the cash for two video cards then by all means do it. By the way FiringSquad.com has an excellent article on comparing Sli and Crossfire using the highest end cards in the current market.

Hope this helped. I'm sure those vastly more knowledgeable than I can lend their expertise to your question.