975X vs. P965

[MrPaladin]

All the benchmarks/reviews I've seen say the Asus P5W DH Deluxe is the best core 2 board on the market today; the P965 chipset, however, was designed "from the ground up" for Core 2. A recent BIOS update has improved the overclockability of the P5B Deluxe to near-P5W levels, although I've heard that the P5W is all set up for a BIOS revision that will improve overclockablility for it also. So my question is this: Ignoring Crossfire/SLI/RAID and focusing solely on Overclockability perfomance and ease of use, which would be the better motherboard in about 8-10 months? I realize this is all conjecture, but your input would be very helpful.

 

[redraider_gamer]

In 8-10 months there will 5-10 boards out better than both for Core2.

In my mind the 975X boards are the way to go as they have more upside. The 965X were designed for the budget user and those with relatively basic needs. If you don't plan to get crazy with OC and never expect to use multi GPU, the 965X is solid and probably a better deal dollar for dollar.

If I hadn't been so desparate to do my first upgrade in three years (I bought the X6800 on the first day they were available) I would probably have waited for Christmas when new boards, designed from the ground up for Conroe would have been available. Combine the new MB's with new DX10 cards coming out and the results are: If you can wait, you should. If you can't, go 975X!

My Rig:
Core 2 Duo X6800 Conroe (Stock Clock for now)
Intel D975XBXLRK - 304
Thermaltake Big Typhoon HSF
2 GB Corsair Pro PC6400 4-4-4-15
ATI X1900XTX
74GB 10K Raptor HD
Soundblaster Audigy 2 SZ
NEC OEM DVD Burners (x2)
Gigabyte 3D Aurora Case
Ultra X-Finity 600W SLi Certified PSU

 

[Doughbuy]

I agree, I like the 975X chipset better than the 965. Its more mature, stable, and offers better OC'ing. What I like better about the 965 is its superior ICH8R southbridge, which is much better than the ICH7R. Shrug

 

[Qisa]

Yeah, that "built from the ground up for Core2" stuff is pretty much just marketing. The 975 is better for serious overclocking - the 965 just saves you some money.

 

[MrPaladin]

Well, alrighty then. Thanks.