So I'm planning on buying a new system but I'm really confused about what motherboard to choose. I narrowed it down to the Asus P5K motherboard series, but there are so many models that I need some help choosing one.
There's only one detail: I want it to support right out of the box the new CoreDuo E8400 that's coming out next week, because I really don't know how to update the BIOS. But, if it must be done, could somebody point me out to newbie-for tutorial on how to do the update? Any help is great. Thanks!
I too have been looking for a MOBO that is E8400 ready (no update needed) and have had a really hard time locating one. I have word that a GA-P35-DS3R, one that was purchased a week ago, had bios 2.1, which is E8400 ready. That's an excellent motherboard and I plan on ordering one tonight from Newegg for my new build.
If you need to update the BIOS, check the motherboard disk for the FLASH BIOS utility. Its pretty simply... the utility will search for the latest BIOS and flash the BIOS right in windows. No need for a floppy disk like in the old days...
the p5k series (at least the -E and above) i know for sure will handle the 45 nm processors (E8400 and such)... im getting the p5k-e cause the abit i liked cost 30 more and the ga-p35- mobos have an ugly setup (in my opinion) and have never really been reviewed as better choices than the p5k and the abit mobo i was lookin at.
I've been looking at the GA-P35.
I have a Gforce 8800 GTS, double wide, and it barely fit in my MS-7125. Wonder if I'd have a problem fitting it in.
Its snug in my MS-7125.
I am also looking for a MB for the 8400. I hope you don't mind me posting on your thread OP but i figured I would so this instead of creating a similar thread. I was looking at:
I am a first time builder and trying to go with something that will boot right up. I hear the Intel x38 board has bio problems posting. I plan to buy a 8800GT. With the 3870X2 out and the 9800gx2 coming out does SLI/Xfire even matter much? I could see myself going to card like the 9800gx2 in the future but doubt I would SLI them. I am building for gaming btw. MMO's
I want to keep the total build around 1500. I already bought some of the stuff. When you say flash the bios do you mean using a flash drive or installing an older CPU to get the bios? From what I have read that is what people had to do for the asus x38. I am trying to avoid that.
I personnaly bought The EVGA 780i mobo due to the positive reviews from Newegg customers. I also think EVGA has been very consistent with delivering usable products and I have not seen very negative reviews from EVGA mobos much at all.
At first I wasnt going to get the 780i. But then decided too only due to the fact it's new and has PCI-e 2.0 support. I really wont ever use that extra pci-e slot because I have G92s that dont have tri-sli support.
I have the Gigabyte-X38-DS4 that someone posted a link to. It's fantastic, and ran my E8400 straight up with no bios updates. I use DDR2-800 Corsair XMS2 RAM, and a sapphire HD3870...
i too am lookin for a mobo for my E8500 build
i wanna eventually get 4x2gb(1033mghz) RAm, SLI GF9 and prolly watch tv on my computer.. mostly for FPS online games tho
would the 780i be able to support all those things? im looking for a future proof mobo, i might even change the CPU in 3years maybe for something better
also, can you briefly explain wut flashin a BIOS is? is it complicated? is it like convo said, u need to put some old cpu and update, then u can put the real cpu?..
Tx!
i too am lookin for a mobo for my E8500 build
i wanna eventually get 4x2gb(1033mghz) RAm, SLI GF9 and prolly watch tv on my computer.. mostly for FPS online games tho
would the 780i be able to support all those things? im looking for a future proof mobo, i might even change the CPU in 3years maybe for something better
also, can you briefly explain wut flashin a BIOS is? is it complicated? is it like convo said, u need to put some old cpu and update, then u can put the real cpu?..
Tx!
Well if you are going with the E8500 than I think the 780i will be a good choice. That is what I did with my E8400. It will handle that ram just fine dependent upon what mobo your get (evga or asus imo)
There is no such thing as a future proof product in computers. But that mobo should allow an upgrade or two as far as cpu wise. I'm not sure if Intel is going to change socket set-up with nehalem.
Flashing bios is easier now than it was. It's just updating your bios just like updating a driver for NB or GFX. I dont know about using an old cpu or not. Just whenever a bios update comes along do it and you should be good.
There are guides that are detailed on how do to it also. Follow those guides (particularly from manufacturer) to the T and you wont have many problems (not always guranteed).
