Is this a good motherboard?

Madhatter4

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Oct 2, 2005
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Im looking to put together a new system and have almost all the components picked out besides the motherboard. Currently im leaning towards the Foxconn P45A-S. The reason I picked this board is mainly because it supports crossfire graphics configuration at PCIe 2.0 x16. Also it has solid state capacitors.... and a few other nice features for the price. Any thoughts on this particular board good, bad or neutral would be greatly appreciated.

Almost forgot... here is a link to this board over at newegg where it got great reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186148&Tpk=Foxconn%20P45A-S

Here are the specs:
Model
Brand Foxconn
Model P45A-S
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Type Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
FSB 1600(O.C)/1333
Chipsets
North Bridge Intel P45
South Bridge Intel ICH10R
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 1066 (O.C)/800.667
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 2
PCI Express x1 2
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 6
SATA RAID 0/1/5/10
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC888-GR
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Realtek 8110SC
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
COM 1
USB 4 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 8 ports
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 1x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Windows Vista Certified for Windows Vista
Power Pin 24 Pin
Packaging
Package Contents P45A-S
Driver Disk
User Manual
Rear I/O Panel Shield
IDE/PATA Cable
FDD Cable
SATA Cable
4-pin to SATA Power Cable
 

war_machine07

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Jun 23, 2008
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That board (and any other P45 based board) will not support crossfire with 2 lanes running PCIe 2.0 x16. Technical specs on the manufacturer's website say that crossfire runs at 2 lanes with 2.0 x8. Get a x38 or x48 board for better crossfire performance. I would trust newegg reviews (when there enough that is) to be accurate so it's probably a good board. Personally I've always gone with Gigabyte motherboards; with them i've experienced the fewest incompatibilities and they are generally very reliable.
 

Madhatter4

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Why would I need a x38/48 mobo? This board has TWO PCIe 2.0 16x slots. Are you saying the second card would get throttled down below its full potential...

BTW - I was thinking of throwing a Radeon 4850 in there to start and then add a second one when the price comes down more....
 

Madhatter4

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Ok then can anyone on here recommend a good x38/48 motherboard that wont cost an arm and a leg AND support a crossfire configuration at the full PCIe 2.0 x16 rates?