Motherboard Assistance Please!

[ShawnW]

I've been putting off my new build for a little bit for various reasons, one of them being waiting on the new graphics cards coming out in 1-2 weeks! This is what I have for the system so far:

Case: Thermaltake ArmorPlus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056

Processor: Q9300
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819115043

Processor Cooling: Zalman 9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118020&Tpk=Zalman%2b9700

Memory: OCZ Reaper HPC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

Power Supply: Corsair 620HX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Video Card: One of the new ones coming out soon!

Now, for the motherboard talk! I was planning on this motherboard:
Gigabyte P35-DS3L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Question is: Is this the optimal Motherboard for my setup? I'd like to get more bang for my buck, and I hear a lot about the x38/x48 boards. Should I stick with what I have planned now or go for a different motherboard with better performance?

P.S. I will be experimenting with OCing once I've done some more research.

 

[ShawnW]

After a little more reading, i came across this motherboard, would it be a better choice for my future OCing needs?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

 

[o1die]

No. It's a waste of money unless you want the additional features. The p35 has the same potential to overclock as an x38 board.

 

[ShawnW]

Forgive me but I'm a bit new at this kinda thing!

I don't see anywhere on the P35 specs that it has the PCI-E 2.0 x16 Graphics slot. Will this graphics slot on the X38 be worth it? I was planning on going with one of the new video cards coming out in a few weeks.

The difference in cost doesn't bother me, I just want to make sure that I am able to get the most out of my processor, memory and video card.

P.S. Looking at the x38 info on ASUS's website, I don't see the OCZ memory listed in the QVL. Does that mean that this memory won't work with the P5E?

 

[o1die]

If you need the features, the x38 is a good chipset. I was referring strictly to the overclocking potential of both chipsets. For memory, the board maker can only test a few types and brands. The ocz may work fine; just check the return policy of your vender just in case.