What Motherboard e8500 SLI

[thently]

Hey I am getting a new MB for Christmas.. You all know how that goes I need to hand over an exact model # or I might get a 386 mobo LOL. Ok so I got a Dell hunk o junk from work and it has good items on it that i will be moving over to new mobo and case. e8500, 3 hd raid 0, x-fi fatality champion (PCI) 8800GTX xigmatech bigass cooler... LALALA ok soo looking for a good mobo want SLI since I am a mostly Nvidia guy no bias just what i have. Wondering if the p45 that gives you one 16 at 16x and one at 8x is a big concern or not... and what boards would you guys recomend looking in the 150 US range. I guess SLI not required but want to go quad later and have video upgrade options later too.

 

[cjl]

None of the Intel chipsets other than X58 support SLI. All they support is Crossfire. Because of that, if you want SLI, you need an Nvidia based board (a shame, as Intel boards tend to be better in most ways). I've heard good things about the EVGA 750i SLI FTW board.

 

[flyin15sec]

For $150 range, the EVGA 750i FTW is probable the best choice, but it is a bit over your price, like $15-$20 more. Even tho I have the Asus P5N-D 750i, the PCIe slots are too close to each other for dual slot video cards like your 8800GTX. So I can't recommend it. I don't have any experience with the MSI P7N Platinum, but it would be another option for you.

 

[chookman]

Ummm i assume your not going to buy a 2nd 8800GTX as the cost out ways the performance increase especially if you went something like the GTX280.

Personally i would get an Intel board then when your 8800GTX isnt enough get the next best thing in GPU's at the time.

 

[thently]

Well the 2nd 8800 GTX might be an option as the shop i work in is an out with the old in with the new kinda place so i might get a second one gratis and i would just plunk it in for kiks I have not found allot i can't do with one as I game at 1650x1050 not HD levels. ok 2 I am looking at. What do you guys think of referbs not so sure myself but like the board.

Intel non referb $134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128364

Nvidia 780i Referb $134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188037

Good bad choices? I mean real world never gonna tri SLI I know p45 no SLI hmmm just dunno. Also I do plan on overclocking main reason for purchase I figure 3.8 - 4.2 on the e8500.. This is all gonna be crammed into an antec 900 with the xigmatch direct heat pipe cooller thingy so heat shouldn't be an issue

 

[roofus]

well you can hit 3.8-4.2 on either board. i run my e8400 24/7 at 3.82 on my EVGA 780i with no issues. the p45 will most likely be the more stable of the two but to be honest, my board has never even hinted at a problem since i built it. that isn't always the case with the Nvidia based chipsets as others aren't so fortunate.