Best mobo for new build - E8400, 8800GTS, 4GB DDR2 1000

[spritemv]

I've slowly been accumulating parts for my first ever build. I play games fairly regularly, do some non-intensive multitasking, and very little audio/video encoding. I toyed with the idea of a quad core processor, but after looking at performance charts, I think a dual core will better suit my needs. Also, I should mention that I would love to try my luck at some basic OCing - something I've never been able to do on my previous pre-built computers. I've read the 3GHz E8400 can be stably OCed to 4GHz! Here's what I have so far:

Case: Antec P182 ATX Mid Tower Case
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM 1000 (PC2 8000)
PSU: Coolmax CP-500T EPS12V 500W Power Supply
Sound: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Speakers: Logitech Z-5500
Monitors: 2x Dell 2007wfp

I haven't purchased a GPU yet, but am eyeing the eVGA Geforce 8800GTS 512MB that Newegg has for $170 AR. I'm planning on using the two 500GB HD's from my current desktop for storage and possibly adding a 10,000 RPM drive (Raptor?) for applications.

Like I mentioned, this is my first time building my own system and I don't know much about motherboards. Does anyone have suggestions on a board in the $100-150 range? CF/SLI is not needed, but OC capabilities would be great! It would be nice if the board was compatible with quad core CPU's to make future upgrades easier. Also, while I'm at it, what would you guys suggest for a CPU cooler and how do you feel about a separate faster hard drive such as a Raptor to ran programs from? Thanks in advance!

 

[dagger]

X38/48 is needed to oc that e8400 to 4ghz and beyond. There is really no other choice at the moment, due to chipset fsb bottleneck.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089

 

[jitpublisher]

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ5NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==
I just read this review, looks like a solid board. It's a little higher than your price range, but if it is all they say I'd spend the extra to have a rock solid board. I have my eye on this for my own upgrades coming soon, unless something or someone can tell me why I shouldn't get it?

That's a pretty good price for a 9800GTX, haven't seen that yet. I would pay that for a 9800GTX, for sure.

Don't have a Raptor so I can't really first hand comment. But everyone who has them swears by them.

 

[dagger]

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ5NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==
I just read this review, looks like a solid board. It's a little higher than your price range, but if it is all they say I'd spend the extra to have a rock solid board. I have my eye on this for my own upgrades coming soon, unless something or someone can tell me why I shouldn't get it?

That's a pretty good price for a 9800GTX, haven't seen that yet. I would pay that for a 9800GTX, for sure.

Don't have a Raptor so I can't really first hand comment. But everyone who has them swears by them.

750i overclocks slightly below p35. In other words, it'll bottleneck e8400 for the kind of oc you're looking for.

 

[spritemv]

That's a pretty good price for a 9800GTX, haven't seen that yet. I would pay that for a 9800GTX, for sure.

Sorry, I meant to say 8800GTS. I guess the $255 9800GTX from Slickdeals this morning was still on my mind. I've edited the above post to fix it.

 

[spritemv]

X38/48 is needed to oc that e8400 to 4ghz and beyond. There is really no other choice at the moment, due to chipset fsb bottleneck.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089

If I'll run into a bottleneck with a P35 board, I'd be willing to spend a few extra bucks for an X38/48. It looks like the board you linked to is about as cheap as they come? For my purposes, would there be any difference between that board and an X48 like the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336?

 

[dagger]

If I'll run into a bottleneck with a P35 board, I'd be willing to spend a few extra bucks for an X38/48. It looks like the board you linked to is about as cheap as they come? For my purposes, would there be any difference between that board and an X48 like the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336?

No there isn't. But feel free to spend the extra $35 if it makes you feel better. The price difference was $100+ just a few weeks ago. It certainly dropped far.

 

[Shadow703793]

@OP: Get a better PSU.

 

[spritemv]

@OP: Get a better PSU.

I picked up this PSU about a year ago so I could run a GPU upgrade in my current system. It seemed a very economical choice at the time... Will it not suffice for my new system?

 

[dagger]

I picked up this PSU about a year ago so I could run a GPU upgrade in my current system. It seemed a very economical choice at the time... Will it not suffice for my new system?

It should do fine. Don't worry about it. Even on the off chance it doesn't, you can still get a new one then. No reason to pay more for an extra psu since you still don't know you'll need it. Mostly likely, you won't be needing it.

 

[spritemv]

How does the Abit IX38 Quad GT LGA 775 Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16813127033

compare with the the other boards that have been recommended? It was on sale for $138 shipped not long ago. At the price, I think I'd be all over it.

 

[dagger]

How does the Abit IX38 Quad GT LGA 775 Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16813127033) compare with the the other boards that have been recommended? It was on sale for $138 shipped not long ago. At the price, I think I'd be all over it.

All x38 motherboards have been benched to be about the same. Too bad they rolled back that bargain price.

 

[spritemv]

All x38 motherboards have been benched to be about the same. Too bad they rolled back that bargain price.

So performance-wise there isn't much difference between x38 boards. Are certain models better for OCing, or should I jump on any x38 board I find with the right price?

 

[dagger]

So performance-wise there isn't much difference between x38 boards. Are certain models better for OCing, or should I jump on any x38 board I find with the right price?

Yes, it's the same, get the cheapest.

 

[spritemv]

Yes, it's the same, get the cheapest.

Great, thanks so much for your help! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a hot deal on a x38 board.

 

[dagger]

Great, thanks so much for your help! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a hot deal on a x38 board.

I use this one. It's the best deal I could get at the time. There might be better deals out now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089

 

[halcyon]

So X38 and X48 are the same and overclock the same or is it that the difference simply isn't worth the ~$30 differential.

 

[halcyon]

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ5NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==
I just read this review, looks like a solid board. It's a little higher than your price range, but if it is all they say I'd spend the extra to have a rock solid board. I have my eye on this for my own upgrades coming soon, unless something or someone can tell me why I shouldn't get it?

That's a pretty good price for a 9800GTX, haven't seen that yet. I would pay that for a 9800GTX, for sure.

Don't have a Raptor so I can't really first hand comment. But everyone who has them swears by them.

"The north bridge is located in the usual place. It is next to the CPU area and is cooled by a heatpipe system and a 60mm fan. Unfortunately the cooling fan was absurdly loud during testing."

Noise is the enemy, anything that brings noise ...is the enemy. That is, besides Raptors.

 

[dagger]

So X38 and X48 are the same and overclock the same or is it that the difference simply isn't worth the ~$30 differential.

They're bascially exactly the same. X48 makes you feel more special because it has a 4 in it.

 

[halcyon]

They're bascially exactly the same. X48 makes you feel more special because it has a 4 in it.

LOL ....smartass.