E8400 mobo recommendation

Hello, I made a post a few hours ago about having P35-DS3L issues, finally talked to a tech and he said it might be a faulty mobo. [GG 15% Restocking fee+Shipping fee] (Issue was that mobo was stuck on splash screen and it wasn't responding to keyboard strokes)


I just need a recommendation for a new motherboard (E8400 Capable), I am willing to pay up to 150-170$ish or a bit less if possible, just need something that would work well and fit's a GTS nicely.

=( DOA Mobo on first build,

Look in to a ASUS P5K-x. Personally I use a P35-DS3L and its a great OCing board. same with the P5Ks. I have yet to have a board from Gigabyte and ASUS yet to die on me.

Why is it that everyone mention the P5K-x series? and not the ordinary P5K?

I had something similar happen as the OP, but on an Asus P5K-E WiFi board. I fired up the machine after rebuilding it, and it got stuck somewhere between the splash screen and the POST. I popped in my old E6300 processor, and flashed the BIOS; still no go.

Eventually, I figured out that if I had my mouse plugged into the back USB ports, it would refuse to POST. If I plugged it into the front, it was OK. And from there, I determined that there appeared to be some sort of conflict between my mouse and a KVM; if both of them were plugged into the back, then it wouldn't work. So I ditched the KVM, and it's been working fine since.

But I think the kids learned a few new words that night!

Clint

i have neo 2 fr. decent board cheap.

Since mobo compatibility seems to be another issue with the new E8400, I've been reading posts on other forums. One board seems to be "good to go" (without bios flash) with the e8400.

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P rev. 2.1

Can't guarantee anything - but several posters indicated that the new chip just dropped right in without any problems.

I'm thinking of returning my Abit IP35 Pro and exchanging for the EP35-DS3P (rev 2.1) - but I'll read more while I'm waiting on the chips to come back into stock.