stuck on buying a E8400, now making final decisions for mobo. But should i get a P35 or P45? This is a gaming rig and i dont play to use sli or xfire. Using 4gb of ddr2 1066. Do plan on overclocking. This is the P35 mobo ive been looking at. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128086

Should i do some research into P45 boards? whats the main differences in p35 and p45 boards? Will a P45 oc better? Which will run a 45nm cpu better? so many questions, such little time.

Thank you in advance. Oh using a 8800gts (G92) as well.

for most people the Gigabyte P35's are sufficient, but if you can get a P45 based board for a little extra, do it.

Go with the P45 it's not much more expensive and has more features as well as runs cooler due the it's manufacturing process.

Hi Ecko

I'd seriously look at the X48 chipset. If you're going to be doing any serious overclocking, I think you'll find the x48 capable of considerably higher FSB speeds than the more mainstream p45 chipset.

Some x48 boards are doing 580+ FSB (on air) while the X38 chipset is often capable of quite a bit over 500FSB. These are still out there by the way and a little more reasonably priced than the X48 base boards. I've seen a few p45 reviews where they had a hard time getting 480 FSB stable!

Not knocking the chipset. I actually like the ICH10R southbridge features, but not keen on not having a full 16 lanes for each PCI-E2 slot in Crossfire.
Although since it's PCI-E2 it's still double the bandwidth of the original PCI-E1 anyhow. (not that this matters to you)

I'd still get a p45 over the p35 if you can afford to go up in price a little.

Love the 8400 by the way. Always wanted to get a chance to play with one of those:-)

Good luck with the build.

Random_2
(The Canuck)

Yeah right, p45 is actually the best ocing board there is by miles and miles right now read this.
http://vr-zone.com/articles/Biosta [...] /5911.html
and thats actually quite a cheap board at that!

LOL......Well I don't think ecko is going to be going for any world records using liquid Nitrogen and volt mods. And yes it's a cheap board....meaning I'd still stick with an Asus, Gigabyte or a DFI, although the DFI may have too many BIOs options for the average guy like me to want to deal with.
Again, do some research, and check out the reviews yourself. I stand by what
I've said.


Random_2
(The Canuck)

I second the X48, I have a Rampage Formula and it's an outstanding board although a little expensive. The reason I mentioned the P45 before was due to the OP's budget, he linked a $100 board originally so I have a hard time suggesting a $250-$300 board but the price difference is worth it.

can anyone think of anything wrong with this board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128345

My budget is between 100-250 for mobo. Could be more but i dont want sli or xfire. pretty much what im looking for is the best board to support the E8400, 8 sata connectors. and memory standard 1066.

Looks like a good board at a good price.

its either that or this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138123

Gigabyte has a better record of reliability than Biostar and since your not concerned with Crossfire you don't have need for the second PCI-E 16x slot.

ausch your logic is wonderfull was just thinking the biostar cause my brother just got one with a q9450, i know he likes it. and i know they are good for oc'n. but your right gigabyte would be a better choice.

Just made purchase. will let you know how everything turned out ausch. Thanks again

how good are the new p5q-e? Which grade of the p5q-e is the best? normal? deluxe?

Are there any better alternatives?

yeah, is the P5Q Deluxe actually any better at OC'ing than the P5Q/P5Q-Pro?