What's an EASY motherboard for a first timer?

[mooseyfate]

Processor: E6400 Conroe
Graphics card: GeForce 7600 GT 256MB
Ram: 2 x 1 GB DDR2 something set up for dual channel

I'm a novice at building PC's... never OC-ed but plan to because of how well the processor lends itself to it. I have everything but motherboard/ram figured out. I do mostly gaming (not hard core) and print graphics.

What I'm looking for is a MB/ram combination:
Priority #1) STABILITY
Priority #2) EASE OF INSTALL - I don't want to have to do some trick with installing different ram, then my final ram. I don't want to run into some complication with the optical or hard drive when I try to install the OS.
Priority #3) EASE OF OVERCLOCKING - Being a first time OC-er, I shouldn't get too complicated of a motherboard to start with. I'd take ease of use over a slight power potential increase.

Motherboard requirements:
XTA
G965
Dual Channel Support
SATA II
Raid 1
S/PDIF optical out
$100 - 200 target budget (preferably closer to the first half of the range)

Some motherboards/ram I've considered
Gigabyte DS3
ASUS P5B -E or Deluxe
Abit AB9 basic or pro
Intel BOXDG965WHMKR
DDR 800 or DDR 667 Patriot or Super Talent ram

What do you feel the most hassle free (not the most powerful) combo would be? It doesn't have to be one of the ones mentioned above. Is there truely enough benefit to make DDR 800 another $50 - 80 worth it? If you don't overclock, I don't think so. But what if your a beginer like me?

Thanks All!


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Some of the wonderful resources I've used so far are:
Motherboards, Ram, Micron Ram, Article, Article, Definitions

 

[Conky]

First off, get a P965 chipset mobo, not the G965. Especially if you are interested in overclocking... the G965 is the built-in graphics version and isn't worth piss for overclocking.

You mentioned the Gigabyte DS3 and the P965-DS3 would make a fine board... that is the one I have chosen for myself and will be installing very shortly. Again, do not accidentally get a G965 version of this board. This is very important... there is a HUGE difference if you want to overclock. P965 is the way to go. Newegg has this board for around $130 right now.

I would also recommend Corsair DDR2-800 (PC-6400) RAM for overclocking. You can run this stuff at normal speed and not even be overclocking your RAM when the E6400 CPU is running at 3.2Ghz.

Good luck and let us know how well it all runs once you get it all together and running right.

 

[mooseyfate]

Ok, to make sure we are clear on this. I'm not planning on using the on board vga except for specalized circumstances. Is OC-ing only bad on a G965 when you are utilizing the on board vga, or is there something about the G965 closes down on the "pipe" you'd have in the P965, therefore making it bad for OC-ing wether or not you are using the on board VGA? It's no big deal for me to loose that third monitor port... I just figured with the cost so negligable, so why not.

I'd love to get additional peoples opinions.

Just opinions on what motherboard model or brand is most hassle free would be awesome! Thanks

 

[o1die]

Boards with onboard video tend to have fewer bios adjustments for overclocking and a slower chipset. Only exception I know of is the biostar 6100 chipset for amd cpus. If you really want to overclock, get a regular 965 board and cheap pci-e video card. They're available for around $30 at newegg (open box).

 

[mooseyfate]

Ok, P it is then, I won't mess with G.

Any opinion on if Gigabyte DS3, ASUS P5B -E, or ASUS P5B Deluxe will be easier?

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: mooseyfate
Ok, P it is then, I won't mess with G.

Any opinion on if Gigabyte DS3, ASUS P5B -E, or ASUS P5B Deluxe will be easier?

I probably should've clarified about the onboard graphics thing hosing up overclocking but for whatever reason, even when not using the onboard graphics, boards with integrated graphics are poor overclockers.

And as far as which brand would be easier... I've used them both and frankly they are both pretty easy. I know it seems rather daunting to build your first system but when you are done you will realize that it really isn't that big of a deal. The biggest issues usually come down to loose cables and making sure everything is plugged in correctly.

Good luck and let us know what you choose and how it went when it's all done. And if you have questions don't be scared to ask... some of the "stupidest" questions about putting together a system are easily answered and not really stupid. It's better to ask and do it right instead of guessing and ruining a piece of equipment.

 

[mooseyfate]

What's worrying me (and this is my only hang up right now):

ASUS: heard large number of issues about some memory working and some not. Then of the working memory, ASUS's QVL mentions that only some works dual channel, and only some of that works as two pair of dual channel.

Gigabyte: Issues with having to boot with lower volt or non-micron ram. I don't want to do the trick where you buy a boot ram stick, then have to keep track of where I stored it for emergencies.

I guess ASUS seems like the lesser of the two evils, unless I want to go with some slightly slower/cheaper ram.

I have the impression that they are roughly equivalently easy beyond that, but don't know for sure. If one is know for it's user friendliness, I'd want that.

 

[mooseyfate]

I went ASUS. Gigabyte sounded awfully nice with their high quality capacitors, but the booting/micron thing before I have the chance to update the bios (or if it ever was reset for whatever reason) worried me.