Hi all, first post, very new here.......i saw some posts on this already but wanted to ask based on my personal situation instead of break in on someone else asking advice on different posts.......
 
im getting the e8400 or e8500 soon and am stuck trying to decide between  2, maybe 3 motherboards....
 
i dont plan to use 2 graphics cards, (i have one 7900GT)  
i like to play role playing games online (city of heros etc)
i have a lot of music on my comp and do music editing (minor) and photo editing
i like to run at least 3-4 programs at once at times
 
so the mobos are:
Gigabyte P35-DS3R (is it best of the DS3L, and DS3P)
Abit IP35 Pro
ASUS P5K Deluxe (or is there a better version now?)
 
I will OC them although new at that myself....
I just want fast, reliable, and budget doesnt matter (at least for this)
i know all 3 seem to get good reviews but do you have an opinion for which might be best for me?
and a recommendation for the best RAM to go with would be appreciated
 
thanks for any help and sorry if im posting out of posting etiquette, i dont normally do any posting anywhere so im new at that as well....thanks again!

oh and i want to run windows xp / not a fan of vista and not sure i want to switch yet.

Abit IP35 Pro doesn't support E8400 or E8500
http://www.abit.com.tw/cpu-support [...] 35-pro.htm
 
Gigabyte and ASUS are both great MOBO
 
I use Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 and I'm very happy with it, easy to overclock
 
I also have a ASUS P5B-E (P965 chipset) and I like Gigabyte better
(not because the chipset)
 
Gigabyte or ASUS P35 chipset, you can't go wrong either way

ok good to know on the abit.....so down to the gigabyte and asus....any one have an advantage over the other for the main things ill be doing?  thanks for the reply and assistance.

 
You may have to flash the bios, but this board will run either of these CPU's. I am considering this board myself and am not getting the E8400 now, that will be an upgrade later, but this board will run them.

ive actually eliminated that one although it was once in the running....but now i went to a damn compter hardware store today and got even more confused....any thoughts on the gigabyte EP35-DS3R?  or what about the evga 780i....ugh i want to decide soon so i can get it moving hehehe

The EVGA board is a Nvidia chipset, the Gigabyte is Intel.

so the EVGA is not compatible with the 8400 or 8500?