Time for a new mobo

[Digit]

Hey, I'm here seeking some guidance

My current mobo Asus Fatal1ty AN9 32X, socket AM2, has a bad pci-e processor. Since the customer service at Asus repair place is terrible, I can not wait any longer, it's been 3 weeks. So I decided to get a new motherboard. As I plunge into the jungle of motherboard shopping I find that I need some advice.

The left over items that I have are:

2GB Corsair XMS2 Xtreme DDR2 Ram
150 GB WD Raptor 10000 rpm HD
250 GB WD Caviar 7200 rpm HD
2 Nvidia Geforce 8800GT video cards
680 watt PSU

My goal is to move to a Intel processor.

Can you guys advise me on what would be a good choice for a motherboard and a processor?
Cheers

 

[ilovebarny]

get the evga 780I and a q6600 processor.

 

[godless]

i hear that all nvidia chipsets are crappy and cause a lot of problems. i noticed how everyone always recommands an intel chipset even for sli.

 

[Mondoman]

Stick with Intel-chipset-based MBs for best stability in hardware and drivers. Gigabyte makes very good MBs. Sell one of your 8800GT boards on ebay, then buy a faster single-card solution (and sell your other 8800GT) when desired.

 

[ilovebarny]

mm ya i disagree the 780I has gotten vary good reviews. intel makes good mobo's but i would not suggest getting one for sli'ing. but mondoman is right you should get just a single card solution. nothing wrong with sli. but one right know can be a lot better.


V aaaa ok.

 

[Mondoman]

Just to clarify: I'm NOT suggesting to get an Intel *motherboard*; rather, get a n Intel-chipset-based MB made by a good quality manufacturer other than Intel.
nVidia chipsets in general have more features; Intel chipsets in general have fewer problems and better drivers.

 

[Digit]

ha, that puts a spin on things as I just bought that other 8800gt a month ago

 

[ibuypower]

mm ya i disagree the 780I has gotten vary good reviews. intel makes good mobo's but i would not suggest getting one for sli'ing. but mondoman is right you should get just a single card solution. nothing wrong with sli. but one right know can be a lot better.


V aaaa ok.

Yea yea do what he says

 

[rwpritchett]

... My current mobo Asus Fatal1ty AN9 32X, socket AM2, has a bad pci-e processor. Since the customer service at Asus repair place is terrible, I can not wait any longer, it's been 3 weeks...

Maybe the Asus customer service is terrible because your motherboard is actually an Abit?

 

[Digit]

hehe, my mistake, thanks for correcting

 

[ghstbstr65]

You might want to look at the p35 or p45 chipsets. The p35 is a good chipset and the p45 is the updated version.

 

[shadowthor]

Since the P45 chipset mobos were just released, i would recommend get one of those as it seems there has been lots of good reviews for them. The Asus P5Q series, P5Q-Deluxe seem to be an excellent overclocker according to reviews.

 

[Digit]

I think i will keep my dual 8800gt for time being. I can't afford to sell them as used, and then buy another video card, and still have $400-$500 for a mobo/cpu combo.

But from what I understand, the consensus is that even with my SLi setup, I should still go with Intel P45 chipset, as opossed to Nvidia 790i or 780i?

 

[HyperZoot]

I may be missing something but with dual 8800gt's, aren't you stuck using an nVidia based MOBO if you are wanting to SLi?