Core2 duo with Cheap Via Mainboards, are they worth it?

[leop23]

Hi.. If you have a rather low budget, how much would a low end mainboard like the ECS P4M800-M2 hold back the performance of a, e.g. E4400 or E2140? As compared to a X2 3800+ with a cheap nvidia/via chipset?

thanks for your time.

 

[Mondoman]

nVidia makes decent chipsets (not quite as good as Intel's, but close). VIA makes low-end chipsets. I'd certainly never count on a system that used a VIA chipset.

 

[1Tanker]

Hi.. If you have a rather low budget, how much would a low end mainboard like the ECS P4M800-M2 hold back the performance of a, e.g. E4400 or E2140? As compared to a X2 3800+ with a cheap nvidia/via chipset?

thanks for your time.

I have the ASRock 775DualVSTA(VIA chipset), with an E6600. I'm using DDR-400, and an NV 6800GS. Comparing my "benchmark" results against review sites' results using i975X/i965P motherboards with DDR2-800... i'm pretty close(within ~2%). Benchmarks aside, the system is very fast, and i've had it overclocked to 2.7GHz...but am running it at 2.67...24/7. I don't know if the ECS will let you overclock as much as the ASRock....but i'm very happy with my setup. My mobo cost me $78CAD and CPU was $269CAD. So for $347CAD(~$300US when i bought....Apr.23) i have a great performing machine(for what i use it for). An x2 3800+ and cheap mobo will be cheaper, though.

 

[jaguarskx]

If overclocking is the goal then I would avoid VIA chipsets. For good overclocking look for a mobo based on the P965 chipset.

From what I've heard the nForce 650i isn't good at overclocking either.

 

[jackluo923]

If you have a rather low budget, you need to consider via chipsets. It will not hold back the stock performance of a eg e4400 or even e6xxx. You should only avoid Via chipsets if you want to overclock or to showoff. Other than that, it has great value and reliability.

 

[BaldEagle]

If overclocking is the goal then I would avoid VIA chipsets. For good overclocking look for a mobo based on the P965 chipset.

From what I've heard the nForce 650i isn't good at overclocking either.

The OC limit for the 650i is that it has a passive heatsink for northbridge cooling if you replace it with an active cooler it clocks much better.