P35 MB Question

[Trioxin]

Greetings hardware experts \o/

I'm looking to buy me a new motherboard, and I will get one in the next week or so (waiting is not an option ) I've had my eyes on Gigabyte EP35-DS3P, heard it's a really good mb. Now I'm a hardware n00b, and I was wondering will this mb work with 9800 GX2? I'll also get 4G Ram (don't really now brand or anything so some tips there would be nice), 500 gig disk and 650W CPU (feel free to recommend the brand as well).

Anyway, the point is Gigabyte EP35-DS3P YAY or NAY.

 

[cliffro]

Yes it will work, What processor do you have? Muskin's XP2-8500 996562 (2x2GB) is one of their best according to their site. But if you want to save some money...
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 3DMark08 Vantage Advanced Version included w/ purchase
Corsair,Crucial(Ballistix),OCZ are all really good brands as well, Patriot,Gskill and Kingston are ok too.

Power Supply's: PCP&C, Seasonic, Corsair. there are others but those are the ones i know off of the top of my head.
As for my recommendation...
I picked these because i know the makers, and they have the 8pin connectors and the price isnt rediculous
Corsair 650TX comes with 2x 6+2pin(can make an 8pin with them) PCI-E connectors
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
or
Thermaltake W0158RU 650W VGA Power Supply w/2 6pin and 2 8pin PCI-E connectors
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153070

 

[Trioxin]

Thanks for the reply. About the processor, well I'm thinking of getting Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450

 

[rgsaunders]

I would reconsider the use of Mushkin ram with a Gigabyte board, its not on the QVL list for this board, and based on previous personal experience, I would go with a vendor on the list, as I encountered significant issues when attempting to use Muskin ram on the DS3R. The board is a good board, I would consider a power supply like the Corsair HX-620 or the Enermax MODU82+ 625, both well rated efficient power supplies with modular cabling systems.

 

[cliffro]

I edited my post....took awhile...And Mushkin DDR2-800 is working great on my DS3L

 

[jevon]

Do you plan on overclocking the processor much? With a multiplier of 8, DDR2-800 memory can get you to 3.2Ghz w/o overclocking the memory. If you wish to overclock higher you will need to go with more fsb like DDR2-1066. I'd recommend going with the DDR2-800, and trying to find a pair with low "timings" (ie 4-4-4-12). I have Patriot Extreme 4gb 4-4-4-12 and it works great (on a different MB though FYI) and even will overclock decently if I wanted to keep it OC'd. Otherwise, look into OCZ and Corsair, or others on the official list as Saunders points out.

The MB is fine, although a little pricey for a P35 imo.. getting fairly close to X38 prices, are you sure you need what the "P" model has? Maybe another less expensive version like the DS3L would work and save you some $?

About the PSU, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, and Antec are my votes. Sites like Hardwarecanucks and johnny guru have all kinds of info on them, especially in the forum area.

Good luck!

 

[Trioxin]

No, don't think I'll be overclocking. Never done that and don't want to mess something up. Are X38 models better? Cos' I want to get me a machine that will last for a while, a couple of years of not needing to switch components (especially mb) would be nice ^^

 

[cliffro]

From Mushkins forum(list of working combos)

Gigabyte P35C-DS3R (Intel P35 chipset)

1. 2x2GB HP2-6400 2x2GB, CL5-4-4-12 , 996564
2. Bios F2, F4, F5, F10

Gigabyte P35-DS3R (Intel P35 chipset)

1. Mushkin XP2 PC6400 2x1 GB

1. Mushkin XP2 PC8500 2x1 GB

1. 4GB (2X2GB)EM2-6400 #996557 Memory(Cliffro's Memory)

GA-EP35-DS3P Rev.2 (Intel P35 chipset)

1. 991578 DDR2-1066 (2x 1GB kit)
2. F2 BIOS

 

[Trioxin]

Can't seem to edit my post.

I can't find any of those power supplies at shop where I'll be getting my hardware but they do have Thermaltake Toughpower 750W which seems nice, and has a much needed 8-pin.

 

[cliffro]

Oh your buying locally?....that has both positives AND negatives.

Positives being no shipping(wait), Quick Replacements.

Negatives are Selection, Price(usually)& Tax. Some places like Microcenter have a good selection and prices, there's one about an hour away from me, thats a geek's wet dream....lol

that TT ToughPower should be fine, out of curiosity how much is it?

And to edit your post use the buttons near the Thumbs up/down buttons They are little notebooks/paper one with a pencil(Edit) and the other a Lightning bolt(Quick Edit)

 

[Andrius]

There's no issues with DS3P and Mushkin RAM. I tested my friends 4 2GB sticks "Extreme" 996580s with memtest86 on my GA-P35-DS3P (rev 1.0 F9 bios). It took forever but they worked at the specified voltage and at 4-4-4-12 timings.

The DS3P only has firewire and the second PCIEx16 slot (x1/x4 electrical) over the DS3R so think about it. You might not need it. And the cooling on the EP35-DS3P looks less capable than the EP35-DS3R but it has a heatpipe.

 

[Trioxin]

There are two versions of Toughpower.

Thermaltake Toughpower 600W = 81€
Thermaltake Toughpower 750W = 121€

Well I don't think I'll be needing antoher PCIEx16 'cos I don't think I'll be doing crossfire, and I'm planning on getting GX2 which should be enough for a while. Gonna check that EP35-DS3R as well.
Thanks again guys for tips.

 

[Andrius]

PSU tiers : http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1596160&postcount=2

I'd get the 750W (that >600W sign makes me think the 600W model is tier 3) for a 9800GX2 (580W is recommended by manufacturers) and a highly overclocked quadcore.

 

[blacksci]

Go with a antec powersupply if your local hardware vendor has them, much better choice.