What motherboard?

[insanegamer]

Heyy guys,
I just cant make a decision on what motherboard to get?
These are the 3 im looking at.

EVGA 750i
Gigabyte EP-45 DS4P
MSI P45 Neo3
MSI P45 Platinum

If you have any other suggestions please feel free to add.
Also the system that its going to be used on is.
E8400
4g G.Skill 1066Mhz
GTX260
HX-620 PSU

 

[Sylvanas]

You can't go wrong with either, but I have had good experiences with MSI over the years so that would be my recommendation, Neo3 is a solid board.

 

[DSF]

I definitely wouldn't get the 750i since you're only running one video card. I also question how much sense it makes to get a GTX260 when an HD4870 offers better performance for just about the same price. Either P45 board should be fine, as would the ASUS P5Q series. Basically, choose the least expensive board that has good reviews and all the features you need.

I would get DDR2-1000 if it's cheaper (and it most likely is) because it has plenty of headroom. You're not going to be pushing your FSB past 500MHz anyway. If you're not overclocking save even more money and get DDR2-800.

 

[gplracer]

Do you want SLI? I just got the DFI DK P35. I really like it. I am running my Q6600 at 3.0ghz at the default voltage. G.Skill is what I have and a recommended ram for the board. Plus the price is right and it is pretty.

 

[insanegamer]

Well at the moment I am going to stay with a single card but later on I might want to go SLI. Im not sure....

 

[Roguestar]

SLI is not an upgrade path worth the money; saving money now on a normal motherboard and not buying a second now mediocre card later will let you buy a single even better card further down the line.

If you're not using SLI I'd get the Gigabyte P35 DS3L, highly recommended around these parts.

 

[starfireone]

I have been using Gigabyte boards for the last 7 years. Never had any issue with them. They also always have updated drivers and bios upgrades on there site. I noticed that the lastest bios update is 2008/08/22 from there site. As far as the board you are interested in GA-EP45-DS4P I really do like the dual channel DDR2 1333+ that should prove to give you outstanding performance. You will be happy with this board if you decide to get it I am sure.

 

[DSF]

Don't bother with obscene RAM speeds like DDR2-1333 even if you get a board that supports them.

If you need to prove your manhood that bad, go buy a Hummer or something.

 

[gplracer]

What I meant to say was do you need SLI? My motherboard in my signature is great and it is not SLI. I have built some computers with gigabyte motherboards recently and all have been good as well.

 

[insanegamer]

Well actually I dont really need sli im gaming on either a 22 or 24 inch screen and the GTX260 should be able to take care of that.
Im going to go with the EP45-DS4P board.
Seems like the best value for money and its cheap.
Thanks guys.

 

[Roguestar]

Why the DS4P and not the DS3L?

 

[insanegamer]

The DS4P is a better board.
It has E-sata, Raid and silent pipe.