Chipset Preference? 650/680/P35/etc.?

[tuksonrider]

Well, I'm building a Q6600 (G0 Stepping) & 8800GTS 320mb rig.

I bought an OPEN-BOX ASUS P5N32-E 680i motherboard that arrived DOA (currently being shipped back to newegg).

Anyway, I'm trying to keep my costs around $150 (that being the hard ceiling limit).

In the past, I've always been with nForce or VIA chipsets, and I figure now is a good time to look around and expand my horizons.

What I plan to do is MILD O'C. I plan just to push the Q6600 to 333MHz.

So does anyone recommend another chipset/motherboard besides an nForce 680i? Or is my best bet to stick with the 680i? (which is hard since most 6801 motherboards are >$150.)

BTW, I'm a CASUAL gamer and hardley ever play on the highest settings. Pretty colors are too distracting, and I'm already running 1600x1050 (22" lcd).

 

[Onus]

Well, VIA is on my personal permanent "never buy" list (past leak-poor performance, compatibility issues). My nForce4 chipsets ran hot, with a whiny cooling fan, and those boards (Abit) were flakey. I'm running a Gigabyte GA-G33M-DSR2 now. I believe the G33 is very similar to the P35 but adds onboard video (which I'm not using). I've read a lot of warm fuzzies about the GA-P35-DS3R lately. If I were doing another full-sized build for myself, that's probably what I'd choose.

 

[tuksonrider]

Right. I'm pretty muched narrowed my choices down to:

The Gigabyte P35 board -
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128048

- or -

The eVGA 680i (though it's $160) -
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813188019

 

[Maziar]

Both P35 and 680i are good performers , if u want SLI (if u play @ 1920x1200 or higher ,then go for SLI ) then go for 680i , if not go P35

 

[tuksonrider]

Well, doing some more reading, I've decided to go with the eVGA 650i Ultra. It's $80 after rebate, and seems to be a solid performer. I don't plan to go SLI, and it has a no-frills look to it. (no sli, no parellel, no serial, 1x IDE which I have all SATA anyway).

With the money I save, I can get a X-Fi card and speakers.

 

[Maziar]

yes , thats a good choice ,