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Someone PLEASE help me pick a motherboard

Last response: in Motherboards
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Ok Ive been planning on building a new rig for a while now and the only component that I still cant make a decision on is the motherboard!!! I have researched different motherboards on countless web sites including motherboards.org and still cant find the right one. These are the options that must be included on the motherboard. First I will only use Intel CPUs specifically I have chosen the Intel Quad core 6600. Second I want to be able to run a crossfire configuration with two Radeon 4850's. This basically means I also need a motherboard that supports a FULL PCIE 2.0 x16 interface. Also the ability to overclock at a reasonable level would be an important consideration. Beyond that I really would prefer to spend around $200 maybe $250 TOPS on the board.

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Motherboard Authority

Quote:
Second I want to be able to run a crossfire configuration with two Radeon 4850's. This basically means I also need a motherboard that supports a FULL PCIE 2.0 x16 interface


Not sure what method you are using to 'search' for a MB that meets your criteria. If you 'demand' to have PCIE 2.0 16 x2 in CrossfireX, you can narrow your search to the X38/48 chipset period. No other chipset supports it. P45 supports PCIE 2.0 x 16 one lane and Crossfire 8 x 8, but not 'full' 16x16. Your search of countless motherboards on endless websites is a simple as the choice of the Intel X38/X48 or P45 chipset.

Madhatter4 said:
"If you will only use a 22" widescreen or less, a P5Q -E will work fine. "

^^^^Well I am also going to purchase a 22" Samsung LCD... so what your saying is any P5Q-E motherboard should be fine?


Lol, motherboard itself has nothing to do with resolution. Higher resolution would require more powerful graphics card, but since no x38/48 bottlenecks cf, there's no difference.

Cheapest x38/48 model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Most used/dependable model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

You might want to consider p45 with a single more powerful card, instead of going the cf route. Might be more cost-effective, as p45 performs on par with x38/48 other than pcie bandwidth, for much less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

See performance difference between 4850 cf and powerful single card solutions (gtx280, 9800gx2, 4870x2).
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=20
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341&p=21

Costs for single cards:
Cheapest gtx280: $420/$380 after mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Cheapest 4870x2: $550/no mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Cheapest 9800gx2: $290/no mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or: $370/$245 after large $125 mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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