Which motherboard? (again!)

[dgsg]

nVidia nForce 680I-SLI or Intel D975XBX-Crossfire and why? Will have a C2D E6400 processor, (2) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS Hard Drives, (1) nVidia GeForce 7600 GT video card and Integrated On-Board Audio.
Thanx in advance.

 

[dgsg]

& 2GB Corsair TwinX 6400C4 MEMORY.

 

[Alone]

Because if you were to buy a crossfire board, you'd need/want crossfire capable video cards (ATi).

nVidia = SLi
ATi = Crossfire

 

[engiNURD]

Do you plan on OC'ing? If you plan on OC'ing, go for a P965 Express chipset, as they can run higher FSBs than Crossfire/SLI boards. If you don't plan on OC'ing, then its just a choice between SLI and Crossfire, lol. However, since you bought only a 7600GT, I'm wondering if you plan on upgrading that soon?

 

[dgsg]

Originally posted by: engiNURD
Do you plan on OC'ing? If you plan on OC'ing, go for a P965 Express chipset, as they can run higher FSBs than Crossfire/SLI boards. If you don't plan on OC'ing, then its just a choice between SLI and Crossfire, lol. However, since you bought only a 7600GT, I'm wondering if you plan on upgrading that soon?

No overclocking, video card upgrade or use of SLI or Crossfire anticipated any time in the future. Just trying to find out which MB would have the best performance, stability and integrated sound quality..

 

[moosey]

With no overclocking, it makes it a little easier on your decision.

Best stablilty is going to be the Bad Axe 2 on the 975X hands down. I'd take any Intel chipset over the 680i w/ the problems they've been having.

Also, is the use of Crossfire or SLI something you actually NEED? Do you have a large display w/ high resolutions or is it just something you THINK you need/want? I'm also hoping you're not going SLI on a 7600GT.

If you don't want Crossfire/SLI, I would look at the P965 (which run Xfire x16x4) boards like it was suggested also. You may be able to save some money going this route.

But if you want SLI, depending on what cards you're going to run in SLI, I'd look at these also...
http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=473&model=1474&modelmenu=1
http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=495&model=1567&modelmenu=1 (runs x16x16 SLI)

Edit: did you look at the Asus P5W-DH on the 975X?

 

[dgsg]

Originally posted by: moosey
With no overclocking, it makes it a little easier on your decision.

Best stablilty is going to be the Bad Axe 2 on the 975X hands down. I'd take any Intel chipset over the 680i w/ the problems they've been having.

Also, is the use of Crossfire or SLI something you actually NEED? Do you have a large display w/ high resolutions or is it just something you THINK you need/want? I'm also hoping you're not going SLI on a 7600GT.

If you don't want Crossfire/SLI, I would look at the P965 (which run Xfire x16x4) boards like it was suggested also. You may be able to save some money going this route.

But if you want SLI, depending on what cards you're going to run in SLI, I'd look at these also...
http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=473&model=1474&modelmenu=1
http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=495&model=1567&modelmenu=1 (runs x16x16 SLI)

Edit: did you look at the Asus P5W-DH on the 975X?

Thank you for the information. The system is being built for me and these are the two MBs I have a choice of. With my limited knowledge of building PCs, I assumed that the Intel chip set would be the most trouble free. Any opinions on this power supply; http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-60f.htm
Thanx for helping someone who knows just enough about PCs to be dangerous!

 

[moosey]

My opinion of the PSU you chose is that it's a good one.