Hi there computer boffins!

Have decided to build a new rig and could use some advise for a motherboard.

I have decided on a intel E6850 core 2 duo and will go for 4gb ram ddr2 800 i think!

Allready have xfx 8800 gts 640mb GPU (long story on that one, didn't fit in my old machine)

have looked at xfx mb-n680-ish9 nforce 680i rev a2 sli mobo and quite like it

I will be using this pc for games mostly, i have no intention of overclocking but i would like to at least atempt to try and future proof, hence the extra pci-e x16 slots.

Any advice would be very welcome as i feel lost!!!!!

If you are looking for an SLI board the 680i is the best currently, eVGA apparently have some solid boards. If you can wait for the new 780i chipset, it adds tri-SLI support and PCI-e2.0. Its actually a 680i chipset with added bits to improve it but could be worth the wait.

If you arent interested in SLI then id suggest either a x38 or P35 chipset depending on your budget and needs. x38 is more expensive and adds full crosfire 16x support and PCI-e2.0. Asus P5e range for x38 and Asus P5K range for P35

Have you thought about an E6750, or an E8400 (due in Jan.)?

maximus - high dollar
maximus ddr2 or ddr3 (extrereme)

nice = p5k deluxe but the p5k-E is the deal!


if you have 2 nvidia cards you stuck with 680i chipset which has many problems - the best mobo is the evga A1 but they can develope this starange whistle from poor engeinnering of componet mix

the whistle may not start right away and is only seen under load - prebuild A1's and test for a week at full load

P5K-E is the best bang for the buck right now.

And the best is the P5K3 Premium Black Pearl... Built in DDR3? Hellz yea

thank you all for your input.

I think i'll stick with the e6850 as the e8400 will take longer to be distributed to nz also the price will be quite high.

Likewise sticking with a dd2 compatible mobo. ddr3 is very good but a bit pricey and likley to stay that way for a while.

seems like the asus p5k are the way to go??

any recomendations on ddr2 800 ram?

was looking at Corsair XMS2, TWIN2X4096-6400C5, 2x2GB.

cheers

I would suggest the P5K series (Premium, Deluxe, or E series.. all great boards).

For memory I would use Transcend DDR2-800 or Crucial DDR2-1066. Whatever is in your price range. You won't notice much of a difference with any of the RAM you use really. I like the Transcend kit because it runs at 4-4-4-12 at 1.8v (JEDEC standard for DDR2).

680i is a decent option if you want to overclock, but currently offer no support for 45nm quad cores and we don't know if they ever will.

The other option is an X38 motherboard. Moving to X38 means that if you want to run dual cards you have to use ATI cards.

It's all trade offs.

Guy's iv got an E6750! and boy does it fly!!!!with tempurature at 27°
Motherboard at 22°

I agree with you airgino747, it does fly. For under $200. too!!!

cheers mateys