While I'm waiting for Asus RMA decision...

[bbtennis1]

This is harder than the High-Def TV decision-process of last Spring/Summer...

My MB is dead and at Asus...The Asus/RMA process I've been told here takes 3-4 weeks, so...I've had too much time to read/consider different options if I have to get a new MB...(see "sig")...(I will OC...)

If I stay w/ a P45/775 MB, it is because:
*Performance is still excellent NOW (son & I are gamers) ...
*Price difference is significant...already have E8400 cpu, RAM, cooler, and XP-Pro
Considering these:
*Asus P5Q-D (DDR2)
*Asus Formula Maximus II (DDR2)
*Gigabyte GA-EP45-DQ6 (DDR2)
*Gigabyte GA-EP45T-Extreme(DDR3)
*Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
*Asus P5Q3-D(DDR3)

If I go with X58/i7 MB...
*a lot more money, (new cpu, new RAM, new cooler, new Vista 64 bit OS...) for what, 15-
20% more performance?
*it would be fun, though...
*if I go this route, then these are the MB's I'm considering...
>Asus P6T-WS Revolution, or....

What do you think?

 

[grieve]

Asus P5Q-Deluxe or pro
or
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DQ6 (I have x48-DQ6, love it)

 

[grieve]

If I go with X58/i7 MB...
*a lot more money, (new cpu, new RAM, new cooler, new Vista 64 bit OS...) for what, 15-
20% more performance?
*it would be fun, though...

I agree, in your situation i7 is not the best route... unless you have an extra $700 laying around maybe dont buy the wifes smokes/liquer... then i7!

 

[bbtennis1]

grieve...

The MB you have...is it the same as the one I listed? That "DQ6" XBit Labs called the "best OC'ing 775 board"
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/ga-ep45-dq6.html

...wow... I would have the E8400(3.0ghz) cpu...have you OC'd it hard?

I have been an "Asus" man for the last 9 yrs or so, my last non-Asus MB was the Abit BH-6...so, I have to say I am leaning to Asus...have you seen that Asus P6T-WS Revolution MB? wow....

 

[grieve]

I havnt pushed the DQ6 very hard, im running a Q9550 @ 3.4GHZ. I know the board has a lot more left... processor heat is restricting further OC for me, the Boards temps are fine.

 

[bbtennis1]

I just found a review of the Gigabyte GA-EP45T-Extreme...have to run an errand now...will read when I come back...looks quite awesome though....

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=201&Itemid=69

I don't know if this guy is a "fanboy" of Gigabyte...(he has had very fair & good reviews on other components I'm familiar with) will have to check other sites as well...Anand's, Tom's, XBit, etc...

 

[grieve]

One prob with that board is DDR3... DDR3 offers minimal gains (if any in some cases) for a lot of moneys.
The exception being x58/i7 as the memory is on-die unlike other Intel quad and dualcore systems.

 

[bbtennis1]

So, on a P45/775 platform, the DDR3's price is not worth it for the little gain you get...

Ok, then the Gigabyte GA-EP45 Extreme w/ DDR2....??

 

[grieve]

Yes, DDr2 is the way to go unless you are purchasing an X58/i7

 

[bbtennis1]

I'm down to the following MB's:

Asus P5Q-D
Asus Formula MaximusII
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DQ6
GA-EP45-Extreme
GA-EP45-UD3P

What do you think?

And, will that memory in my "sig" be fast enough for the new MB, and OC'ing my E8400 to @ 3.6-4.3??

Thx

Brian

 

[grieve]

Corsair 6400C4 ? yes that will work on the new board... OC potential is impossible to know untill you try, Every motherboard is different.