I'm starting to gather info for a new system build and I'm wondering if someone could briefly run down the differences between system boards of the types P35, X38, X48. I probably won't overclock my system, so which would be the best board type for a high mid-range system? Thanks.

P35: Basic chipset. Doesn't support FSB1600 natively.

X38: High end chipset. Supports FSB1600. High OCing capability.

X48: High end. Supports FSB1600 natively. Ocing capability.

@OP: What is your budget?

I'm looking at spending about $1500. I know a P35 will do fine for me, I was just wondering if there was any reason to maybe spend another $100 and get a better system board.

There's also p45, which is meant as basic chipset to replace p35, but supports 1600mhz fsb natively, overclock almost as well as x38, for $100 less. At the $99.99 price tag, it's cheaper than most p35 boards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130181

If you're not overclocking, then P35 is all you need. Just find a good P35 board that's well-reviewed and has all the features you want (firewire, number of SATA inputs, eSATA, PCIE2.0, form factor, sound, etc).

P35 does not support pcie2.0. The rest depends on the specific board. It's good if you can find one that's cheaper than the $99.99 p45, otherwise there is no point.

Right about the PCIE2.0, good call.

The only thing that makes me a little leary about the P45 board is they're brand new. I usually like to let others experience what amounts to beta-testing of brand new boards with immature BIOS's. It may well be a fine board, but if it were me I'd rather go with a board with a proven track record and mature BIOS so I know about what to expect in terms of performance and overclockability.

Overclockability have already be throughly tested on many reviews. It should be fine. Bios can be updated. Besides, at 1600mhz native fsb, you'll likely not have to overclock the board at all for moderate oc. It's garaunteed to run stable at stock, no? The price is too low to consider more expensive and lower performing p35 boards.

I expect good things from the P45 based on Intel's recent track record and the early reviews, and won't be at all surprised if it's my first choice chipset in 2-3 months.

However, there's more to board stability than just native fsb. The Nvidia 790i boards support 1600 native FSB, and are nothing but a headache. I doubt P45 will be like that, but I'd rather let someone else find out for sure. Especially when the Gigabyte EP35-DS3L can be had for 90$, and has proven itself stable when oc'd to 1600 and beyond.

There are many reviews out already, available just by googling. It ocs to 2000mhz stable. Running at 1600mhz fsb natively is better than ocing to 1600. Nvidia is just rebranding a 1333mhz fsb chipset as 1600mhz. They don't count.

^Ahh... but there aren't reviews for that MSI board.

Psh, a board is a board. Same reference layout, same chipset.