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New gaming rig (another newbie thread! :-) )

Forum Motherboards & Memory : General Motherboard - New gaming rig (another newbie thread! :-) )

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First off, sorry. I know what I'm asking is very similar to other threads on here but none match what I'm after [i]exactly[i] and I wanted to be sure.

I'm used to building my own PC and my existing one is getting quite crusty but I've fallen so far behind with whats new it's scary.

From what research I've done (mainly on here) I think I'm looking at:
E8400 CPU
8800GTS 512mb (G92)
4gb ddr2

but as for the motherboard I'm still a bit confused. Here's what I think I'm looking for (but feel free to correct me or offer alternatives):

I'd like the option to throw another graphics card in there at a later date so 2 way SLI would be good (3-way is just overkill IMO)
pci-e 2.0 support since the 8800gts supports it
Overclocking friendly. I'm new to overclocking but would like to dip my toe in with this rig. Nothing nuts, and defienetly just air cooled but if i can get anything approaching 4ghz I'd be happy.

I see a lot of chipsets being recommended but is there a particualr manufacturer or model of mobo that I should be looking at?

Also if you can recommend some memory that would complement that too that'd be great.

thanks again

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If you want SLI and 45nm C2D support for overclocking your only real option is a 780i or 750i...

I would suggest you dump the SLI and get a x38 or P45 board when they come out. This will give you rock solid overclocking and stability.

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
Reply to chookman

^Agreed.

------------------------------

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif

Reply to Shadow703793

Something like this one then?
http://www.cpu3d.com/index.php?opt [...] 54&limit=1

Reply to maxheadroom

Ive never worked with DFI before, but they supposedly make good stuff

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
Reply to chookman

I would suggest skipping SLi and going ATi for the crossfire. I hate the thought of having to have the exact same 2 cards for the SLi, while cross fire will work with any 2 ATI cards, so you buy good card now, and next year when a better card comes out u snag that, and you can still run it with your old card. the ATI board to go with is the x48 dq6

Reply to superq

superq: I think youll find you wont be able to run a HD4xxx card in crossfire with a HD3xxx card... same as you cant run a HD3xxx with a 2000 series now.

http://game.amd.com/us-en/content/ [...] _Dec07.jpg

Message edited by chookman on 05-27-2008 at 07:03:31 AM

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
Reply to chookman

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