Recomend me a Core 2 Motherboard

[pow216]

Hello All

I am going to upgrade to a Core 2 CPU soon. I am not into games but would like a PCI express graphics card which supports the Vista Aero interface. I don't want SLI, crossfire etc, just the min graphics card for what I need. I have three IDE optical drives, but I might upgarde one to SATA if I need to.

My main requirements are then:-

NO SLI / CROSSFIRE
NO WIFI
Gigabit LAN - DUAL LAN WOULD BE GREAT, only 1 need be GIGABIT
5+ SATA ports
2 IDE ports (for 3 drives), 6+ SATA required if only 1 IDE port
DDR2 is fine
1 or 2 old style PCI slots would be good
OVERCLOCKING FACILITIES

Any recomendations? What is the cheapest board which has all this?

Thanks All

 

[fowang]

My Current MOBO

This mobo does have sli tho it have been proven a very very good overclocker for the price

 

[dobby]

HI there is no compotion in this market really the Gigabyte DS3 series is the best way to go. If you a futerproofer you can get it with a G35 chipset (but watch which RAM type your getting), doing this will allow you to up grade to the next level of C2D of the coming years.

however if your a Man of the tried and tested and replace all you tech at once then really a P965 DS3 is the sensible option and will come with all your wanted option while being a mean overclocker and reliable board.

The DS doesnt support Sli and dosent properly support Crossfire. But will give you a full X16 lanes for you Graphics card making the most out of it.

 

[col-p-todd]

this is what i would recommend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131153

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073

 

[lumper]

Asus p5k, or deluxe ddr2, love mine, does everythign you mentioned in your post, temps are low, overclocks very well.
The only thing is no ps2 mouse supoort, you need a usb or usb adapter.
benchmarks through the roof and overclocks very well and has built in recovery from bad overclocks, I love the board.
Lump

 

[nhobo]

Next generation mobo for $139.99. 1333 FSB, Penryn compatible, preliminary tests indicate very good for overclocking.

 

[o1die]

If you live near Fry's electronics, they have the asus p5k-wifi for $199 this weekend. You can also check frys.com.

 

[mrquin27]

I have a Foxconn N68S7AA-8EKRS2H and its pretty good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186113

 

[pow216]

Cheers dobby / nhobo, I am now looking at the Gigabyte
GA-G33-DS3R,
just a shame no dual LAN, still I can stick a PCI card in!

It does come with integrated graphics does anyone know if this supports Vista Aero?

 

[pow216]

Do the G33 motherboards come with VGA output or are there any with DVI?

Not sure whether to buy a G33 or P35 now! Monitor has both VGA and DVI inputs but would really like to use the DVI input.

Ordered a gigabit PCI card so no longer need dual LAN. There must be too much choice!

 

[xjustice09x]

The G33 boards have on board graphics. I'm not sure if it supports vista Aero. It should have a VGA port on the motherboard.

Since you don't need a high end card you should be able to add one with DVI outputs that will support vista Aero for under $50. The graphics card should be much better than the onboard video.