X38 vs. 7x0i

[thebluedawg]

Hello. I Plan on getting a q9300 and overclocking it with DDR2 RAM however im planning on getting a mobo and im SOO confused about what is difference with a x38 (asus P5E) or a 780i...i know the difference is sli or ati crossfire. but which mobos can support which?? when i get a graphics card it will be a geforce one...probably 9x00 512...but if i were to get two...that would be sli right? so which motherboard...also suggest a GOOD mobo for overclocking a q9300 high....

 

[Shadow703793]

X38= CrossFire
7x0i= SLI

The best for OCing is the X38. Imo, SLI is not worth it unless playing at very high res.

 

[thebluedawg]

is 1680x1050 high res or not really? and also if i need get x38 then i would want to get a radeon or geforce or does it matter??

 

[Shadow703793]

To do CrossFire you need a Radeon card. I consider 1600*1000 high res.

 

[dagger]

780i runs at 1333mhz fsb stock, and ocs reliably to 1600mhz. X38 runs at 1600mhz fsb stock, and ocs reliably to 2000mhz. Q9300(7.5x) runs at 3.0ghz on 1600mhz fsb.

 

[thebluedawg]

wow so i cant really OC my q9300 on a 780i board huh?

 

[dagger]

wow so i cant really OC my q9300 on a 780i board huh?

You can. Just not as high as the cpu could go.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed.

 

[el Greenie]

you definelty will not want to 780i MB....proven fact that it currupts data

 

[seboj]

If you're not doing Tri-SLI, there's no reason to consider a 780i.

However, I would recommend an EVGA 750i for your OCing and SLI. It supports 2x PCI-e 2.0 x16, and OCs beyond 1600mhz FSB pretty reliably. Add solid state capacitors to all this for under $200 and it really is Engineered FTW.

LOL @ the promo I just typed up for EVGA and nVidia. ^

Anyways, the Q9300 runs a 7.5x multiplier, so you're not going to be hitting record high OCs with it. The 750i should take you to around 3.7ghz without much problem. If you were wanting to try for 4ghz, you're going to probably need at least an x38, non-air cooling, and a lucky star. I haven't heard of it clocking at 4ghz, so I wouldn't waste my money trying.

 

[dagger]

If you're not doing Tri-SLI, there's no reason to consider a 780i.

However, I would recommend an EVGA 750i for your OCing and SLI. It supports 2x PCI-e 2.0 x16, and OCs beyond 1600mhz FSB pretty reliably. Add solid state capacitors to all this for under $200 and it really is Engineered FTW.

LOL @ the promo I just typed up for EVGA and nVidia. ^

Anyways, the Q9300 runs a 7.5x multiplier, so you're not going to be hitting record high OCs with it. The 750i should take you to around 3.7ghz without much problem. If you were wanting to try for 4ghz, you're going to probably need at least an x38, non-air cooling, and a lucky star. I haven't heard of it clocking at 4ghz, so I wouldn't waste my money trying.

There's no way you'll hit stable 3.7ghz on 750i. It's impossible. Just calculate the kind of fsb needed for that on 7.5x multiplier. 750i overclocks slightly worse than 780i.

 

[seboj]

We must be reading different reviews, because I've heard of the 750i hitting 500 FSB.

7.5 x 493 = 3.7ghz.

Keyword: Around.

 

[dagger]

We must be reading different reviews, because I've heard of the 750i hitting 500 FSB.

7.5 x 493 = 3.7ghz.

Keyword: Around.

500x4, that's 2000mhz fsb on 750i. Those are not reviews you're reading, those are boasting by 1337 internet people trying to break records. You cannot duplicate those results. Likewise, OP cannot duplicate those results. So it's not useful. Don't mislead people.

Under realistic home conditions, with normal components, 2000mhz fsb is reachable by x38/x48/p45 and nothing else.

 

[seboj]

WTF are "realistic home conditions, with normal components"? Stock HSF and a 80mm exhaust fan?

If that's the case, then the OP shouldn't even be on here asking about good boards to OC with. Don't mislead people? If you're assuming that the OP won't / hasn't done research on boards that are being suggested, and is just going to go all willy-nilly buying stuff, than YOU shouldn't be posting.

You're a little out of the loop on boards that can hit 2000mhz buddy.

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?p=3073929

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249687-31-which-mobo-suited-q9300

All these people must be using LN or dry ice, eh? Or maybe they're having the wool pulled over their eyes by the magical fairy sprinkling pixie dust on their heads.

Not useful? Do some research of your own before you jump my ass. Damn Intel fanbois.

 

[dagger]

If OP buys a 750i expecting 2000mhz fsb out of it, he/she is in for a nasty surprise. OP wanted solid advices to base buying components on, not to satisfy your Nvidia fanboyism. Go somewhere else. We do not need you here at Tomshardware.

 

[Shadow703793]

Indeed OCing on the 750i is quite hard and only a very few ppl and boards will be able to do 2k FSB. The 780i is another story. The best OCing boards are the P35/X38/X48.