P4C800 or MSI + Memory Setup

[PharCyde]

Hi guys, first time poster, long time computer geek.

I know the 3.2Mhz CPUs are coming out next month, but I'm not to keen on spending $600 for one when I can grab a 3.0 for $450 now. So I'm looking at upgrading my CPU to the P4 3.0 800MHZ and one of the following mobo:

ASUS P4C800 or the MSI i875P (unless there is a better mobo I've missed). I'm looking for opinions from people on these two boards. I've read Tom's review and other sites reviews and still can't really make a solid decision. I am however leaning towards the ASUS board.

Once a mobo has been picked I'm looking at getting 2x512 of Corsair 3500 memory <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-419" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-419</A> - By having two of these will it enable the dual channel feature?

Thanks in advance for any input you guys have to offer.

-PharCyde

 

[Prof133]

ASUS P4C800 or the MSI i875P (unless there is a better mobo I've missed). I'm looking for opinions from people on these two boards. I've read Tom's review and other sites reviews and still can't really make a solid decision. I am however leaning towards the ASUS board.

The reviews in <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=541047#541047" target="_new">this thread</A> may help you in your decision.

Once a mobo has been picked I'm looking at getting 2x512 of Corsair 3500 memory http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-145-419 - By having two of these will it enable the dual channel feature?

Yes, dual channel will be enabled. The manual should explain which memory slots to place them memory modules in.

 

[okietex]

Hey PharCyde,
I was in the same situation a few weeks ago ... Prof's link is a good one and be sure to check out all those reviews.

Also, in my top 3 boards - I had the MSI, ASUS and ABIT. MSI was my frontrunner ... however, I ended up going with the ABIT IC7-G. So far so good ... I really like it. At this point - and I'm not doing any OC'ing at this time but want to later - the only issue that I have seen is with my temps (specifically the cpu temp) and it running a little warm. However, most people say that ABIT runs hot anyway and "don't worry about it". Also, when touching the heatsink etc... it's not warm at all. So, I think the temps could be reading at a higher level but really aren't that bad. I don't know for sure though...

if I were you, I'd check out the ABIT IC7-G as well... it's nice.

On the memory, I bought the SAME memory ... and I'm happy with it.

My machine seems very fast - here's a glimpse ...
IC7-G, P4 2.8ghz 800fsb, stock heatsink/fan, 2x120gb Seagate SATA RAID0, Radeon 9800 Pro, 2x512mb Corsair PC3500C2, Coolermaster ATC201B-STX, Vantec 520W PS, Audigy2 .......etc.......

Try to read the following threads on THG as well... they helped me
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=541713#541713" target="_new">Tom's 875P Comparison</A>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=540382#540382" target="_new">best 875p mobo</A>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=540795#540795" target="_new">875P Intel Hell</A>
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=540991#540991" target="_new">875P Dream Machine</A>

Anyway... all of this plus other reviews helped me tremendously. I don't have anything else to compare mine to but I like it and I don't care about brand too much since I never build these things - this was 2nd machine to build.

HTH. -ot