Hey Everyone,
 
Im in desperate need of advice. Im building a gaming computer which will also be cross used for school and general use. I have a few posts and have refined my computer down and created the basis of a good structure. The tricky part is I have absolutely NO CLUE what mobo to use. I do not want to flash around money but I dont not want to skimp.
 
My computer is going to look like this - 9800GX2, E8400, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Antec P182 Case, 850W PSU (so the general performing machine).
 
The motherboards I am looking at are
 
Abit IX38 QuadGT
http://www.uabit.com/index.php?opt [...] &model=402
Priced at $241 AUD - I have had very good experience and am impressed with Abit
 
MSI P35 Platinum
http://www.msicomputer.com/product [...] m&class=mb
Priced at $217 AUD - I like where MSI are heading
 
GIGABYTE X38 -> DS4,DS5,DS6
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Product [...] ntel%20X38
Priced at $246,$262,$310 - Secure and quallity.
 
Which is the best cost-effective motherboard there OR do you guys have any suggestions.
 
Also I was thinking about pointlessly upgrading to the MSI P7N Platinum
http://www.msicomputer.com/product [...] m&class=mb
Priced at $250 - New technology
 
Please help me guys, even if you dont want to =S.
 
Thanks in advice to anyone.

The Abit and Gigabyte looks better than the others. They both use the new X38 chipset, with FSB running at 1600mhz natively, a step up from the 2 MSI boards' P35 and 750i chipsets with FSB running at 1333mhz natively. Kentsfield (Q6600 etc.) uses 1066mhz FSB natively, greater than that if you overclock. Yorkfield (Q9450 etc.) uses 1333mhz FSB natively, greater if you overclock. You E8400 uses 1333mhz FSB natively, greater if you overclock.

Also, that Gigabyte board is overpriced. It's $206 here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128089

Thanks alot mate, so you recommend jus the DS4 and QuadGT.
 
Thanks. Keep info coming if you can please.

Keep in mind, that if you plan to upgrade to 2 9800x2 for quad gpu, you need the 750i chipset motherboard, as it's the only one out of those 4 supporting sli.

Ye theres pretty much nooo possibility that im going to head that way =S .. So what are your thoughts on the DQ6 though, because that has some really good reviews but also some people are finding problems in it. Its also only $50 more than the DS4. So I was thinking about heading that way.

I bought this ABIT IX38 about three months ago, at around 210 USD. At that moment the Gigabyte was too expensive But I liked my ABIT, it's really reliable and easy for setup.  
 
The only drawback of this ABIT is the memory. It's officially 'only' support up to DDR2-1066 (non ECC), while the Gigabyte up to DDR2-1200 (w/ ECC). I don't think it's necessary the ECC things, since it's plainly overkill for a desktop system. For the DDR2-1200, it will be up to you. I don't think it's really useful, since DDR2-1200 is overpriced, and for the latest processor, the DDR2-1066 is still more than sufficient. At the moment DDR2-800 is still the clear winner for performance/price ratio.  
 
For GA DS4 and DQ6 I don't see much difference, except for those quad BIOS(?), dunno what it means. Better have opinion from someone with those boards  ..

Ye the ABIT is deffinatly the underdog out of the motherboards.
 
It seems like a really well thought out board, but there are minimal reviews and im hoping someone with very strong knowledge will give their input and details.

Looking at the specs, I don't see much difference between the DS4 and DQ6 except minor stuff, like 8 SATA ports, instead of 6. Most people don't use that many drives anyway.

As for Abit and Asus, they look fine from specs, but there have been many bad reviews concerning bad, unstable bios from those manufacturers for those boards. Not sure if it's true or they're just whinning though.