Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Gigabyte > DDR3 upgradability or not?
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limyang   03-27-2008 at 03:27:02 PM

I'm speculating about a new build so I need some advice on the motherboard. I heard Gigabyte is reputable for high-quality manufacturing and good overclockability so I decided to choose between Gigabyte motherboards. The candidates are:

GA-P35C-DS3R
or GA-P35-DS3R
or GA-P35-DS3L

The most pertinent issue is whether I should attain the support for DDR3 or not so maybe 1-2 years down the road when DDR3 is cheaper I can upgrade. If DDR3 support isn't worth it should I go for the DS3R or DS3L? Thanks in advance.

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Scotteq   03-27-2008 at 03:35:25 PM
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(1) DDR2 and DDR3 are physically incompatible - The slots are keyed differently.

(2) DDR2 only beats DD2 at the very highest clock speeds since DDR2's timings can be so much tighter.

(3) Even when DDR3 does beat DDR2, the difference isn't huge.

(4) DDR3 will create a hugely larger hole in your budget than DDR2.


Conclusion: DDR2 now. Consider whether or not to use DDR3 for your next build.

------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
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limyang   03-27-2008 at 03:39:00 PM
- 0 +

Hmm in fact I do know all points but my concern is that I do not want to change my build so soon. Or rather I wish to keep my motherboard for a rather long time.

Also if you do not recommend DDR3 upgradability would the DS3R or DS3L be better?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to limyang
ektyper   04-12-2008 at 01:21:00 AM
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Those are all really good mobos. I personally have the gigabyte EP35C - DS3R. I'm running ddr2 for now but will upgrade down the road to ddr3 when the price comes down. I have NO problems with this board. I love this board -- OC's easily w/out any problems. Its been the best most simplest board I've worked with. I didn't even upgrade the bios. check my sig for more info. The p35 - ds3l is also another really good mobo. If you compare price to performance....that is the mobo to get....you just won't have the extra features. I've built a computer for a friend using the ds3l. It's an amazing board for the money. I'm actually debating on getting that one or another ep35c ds3r to pair with an E8400. It doesn't matter which one you choose...though I do recommend the ep35c ds3r.

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dagger   04-12-2008 at 02:04:44 AM
- 0 +

limyang wrote :

Hmm in fact I do know all points but my concern is that I do not want to change my build so soon. Or rather I wish to keep my motherboard for a rather long time.

 

Also if you do not recommend DDR3 upgradability would the DS3R or DS3L be better?

 


Keep in mind the Nahalem arriving at the end of the year will come with new socket. So your board with the LGA775 will be obsolute despite ddr3.

 

For low to moderate overclocking, pick a p35 board. It's cheaper and does the job. For high overclocking, or 1600+mhz fsb, pick x38, which cost $100 more.

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
Shadow703793   04-12-2008 at 02:53:57 AM
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^Agreed on Nehalm and DDR3.

P35(not P35C) DS3R/DS3L both are solid and well respected motherboards at OCing.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
Crazy-PC   04-23-2008 at 07:40:07 AM
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Most likely DDR-3 will be more affordable on early to middle next year but the actual performance gain from DDR-3 on existing structure would be less than 10% while you pay 100% more now and at least 50% more on early next year. I agree with Dagger and Shadow to have your DDR-3 when the Nehalm is popular and that would be your time to forget the FSB and existing CORE 2 ^^.


Message edited by Crazy-PC on 04-23-2008 at 07:41:14 AM
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