Which motherboard for new build.

[kylednelson]

Thanks to massive overtime from the RNC, I am finally going to be able to start purchasing the meat of my new computer build. I was thinking about getting a different motherboard that I originally was going to get, but thought i'd see what everyone else thought first (I am a first time builder)

Here is the one I am thinking of getting: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

And the one I was going to get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131275

The reason I am considering the change is because of the PCI-e x16 slots. I want to be able to fully utilize cross firing in the feature.

Incase it helps, here is what else I am getting:

Case: NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower (already bought)

GPU: HD Radeon 4850

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5

Optical: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04

PSU: Corsair 750 Watt Power Supply (bought)
And I will be doing Vista 64-bit.

Any other suggestions on the build are greatly appreciated, just note that I am trying to keep the cost around 700 to 750

 

[knotknut]

Good solid choices for a better than average PC.
I would go with the P45 and personally I would choose the P5Q-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296&Tpk=ASUS%20P5Q-e
The one you picked out is ok too.
I dont see a PSU. 650w-700w if you think you might add another card soon.
and if you can find the right price look at 4.0-4-4-12 DDR2-800

 

[kylednelson]

edited my post to include the PSU I already bought, thanks for bringing that to my attention

 

[clownshoesrock]

Dont take any of this personally...
Your first choice... garbage. I saw that the 24 pin was just in the way. plugging in a cpu fan after the fact is a mess. The big cable is going to be crowding the insides. The Pci express is junk for Xfire because its 4x v1.1

Second Choice.. better but look at the specs.. for Xfire it doesnt do it right. 4x is slow.

The suggested P5Q-E is a much better choice.. the second PCI-e is 8X v2.0 so it's as fast as a 16x 1.1 and it doesnt have any stand out weirdness to me. The ram will be crowded by the card and visa versa, but this is normal in 80* of motherboards..

the Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS5 seemed like a winner, but it's $100 more.. so Id go Asus P5Q-E

 

[kylednelson]

Thank you for your advice. I went with the P5Q-E and also upgrading the RAM to the suggested 4.0-4-4-12 800