Forum Experts!!! Please choose out a MoBo for me!!

[sleepychink125]

This is my first build and I am having a tough time choosing out my Motherboard. I play games on a 1620x1050 resolution and I am hoping to be able to overclock my cpu, ram, and gpu well. I just want the best performance/price mobo that satisfies my needs of surfing, media watching, and gaming. Crossfire not a necessity.

This is my build. Feel free to critique or give some advice if you want.

Component------------------------------Model----------------------------------------------Price (USD)

CPU -------------------------Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz------------------------------73

CPU Cooler-----------------------XIGMATEK Dark Knight--------------------------------------45+ship

Motherboard----------------GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P----------------------------------------135-20=115+ship
-------------------------------------------UD3L------------------------------------------------100-15=85+ship

RAM-------------------------G.SKILL (2 x 2 GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)---------------------------45

Graphics---------------------SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4850 512MB---------------------------150

Case-------------------Antec Three Hundred (sounds like the best according to Tom's) -----------60

PSU -------------------------Antec EA650 650W ATX12V -------------------------------------$60

Do I really need a $135 mobo (not really expecting rebate to come through...)????
Do i really need a $50 cooler?? If not, what do I need? Im sure I cant just rely on stock cooling. Will something like the $37 arctic freezer cooling be good also? (read in a lot of TH's articles) or like a $6 cooling fan? what about those cooling paste things?

 

[17rawr]

You do not need the CPU cooler. Just use the one that comes with your CPU. Also the power supply is more than you need so you could save some money and get something else.
THE PROCESSOR is not going to work for you at all. I am getting that motherboard on a future quad-core build.
Here are some other processors for you:
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

These cpus will work alot better. Maybe even get a better one of your budget allows.

 

[spathotan]

Drop the Xigmatek cooler for the AC7 Pro...which I notice has skyrocket in price...huh. You could get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150082 , good reviews, not that expensive.

As for the motherboard...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138123 - $102. The Biostar P45 boards are solid, and also have great cooling for the NB/mosfets. This also supports Crossfire.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 - $120. This is the board I would get since you dont care for the crossfire capability.

Taking all this into account, I would still stick with the UD3P. You never know when or if you want to branch out to Crossfire, plus its only $15 more than the UD3R.

As for the PSU, its fine. Antec is solid, however the $60 tag makes it sound like the Antec Basiq which is well...trash. Check out a Corsair 450W.

**EDIT** Nvm, the PSU is a Earthwatts. Thats good to go. Enough amps and wattage to add another 4850 as well if you decide to later.

 

[MaDMagik]

Go with the UD3L, cooler like freezer 7 pro will do just fine as well. As for thermal paste you will probably have it pre-appled on the heatsink but get arctic silver 5 or MX-2, it does make a difference. Just make sure you apply it correctly. Generally - nice build

 

[sleepychink125]

Hey spathotan, thanks for your suggestions. How would the cheaper UD3L ($85 AR) compare with those other mobos?

Also, from that newegg link for the cooler, it looks like cooling isn't that big of a deal for a build like mine? I should look to spend about 20-25 for a cooler?

 

[17rawr]

I would stay with the UD3P. Also unless you plan to do serious overclocking I would get a different CPU if your budget permits.
I would also get the cooler that spathotan suggested.

 

[spathotan]

The E5200 dosent require a Xiggy thats for sure. The $21 Masscool one I linked will suit you fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372 UD3L. Its fine, basically any Gigabyte P45 is a good pick, although I would rather buy the 2oc copper ones with the better heatsinks, like the ones ive linked here and the other post above.

 

[sleepychink125]

in terms of the CPU, I will try to explore OC and try to max but not too much so it isnt stable. I still leaning towards the E5200 but I been looking at the E7300 long and hard...(thats what she said btw)

But my decisions mostly lie between the Mobo and the cooler (or lack of).

The UD3P has godly reviews and isnt that expensive. I originally was going to get that and pair it with a 4830 and crossfire it when the 4830 gets even cheaper. However, since i only game at a 1620x1050 max res, I have been advised to get a cheaper Mobo and use the money to apply it to a 4850. So for now, I think thats what im trying to do, unless you guys think its poor reasoning- then i might reconsider.

So for Mobo, I dont know what the whole P45 brings to the table, but since its new technology, should i be exclusive in getting a p45 mobo? also, what benefits does the 2oc copper have?

For cooling, I love the idea of a $20 cooler. So many people on other forums tell me that a Xigmetech DK is a necessity, but I hate to have to drop $50+ on a cooler for a $73 CPU. Any other thoughts?

Also, FYI, newegg has this kit of 4gb patriot ram with 4-4-4-12 timings at $25AR. Maybe other people reading are looking for ram by chance. I think its a great deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269

ps. my goals are to squeeze all the performance I can out of my first build, so I can improve on them in the future. I have been reading heavily about OCing my cpu/ram/gpu but i'm still not quite sure how my mobo will play a factor in that.

 

[spathotan]

P45 is extremely stable, runs cool and offers many options. For an Intel build you should not be looking at anything else.

Dont put so much faith in MIR, they rarely come through so take that into consideration.

I think youll be best just getting the UD3P and a 4850 and calling it a day, or at least the UD3R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

 

[17rawr]

If you want to "squeeze all the performance" you should look at the UD3R and not worry about the CrossFire. I say this because in a year or two the P45 will definitely be outdated and x58 may be the standard. I would stay with the G.Skill memory. but the choice is really which one you prefer.

 

[sleepychink125]

Why the UD3R and not UD3L? Whats the main difference? Is it a noticeable one?
What about the Asus P45 line?

I am looking to have this computer for atleast 2 years, hopefully 3.

Also, do you guys think I should wait for the better deals on the 4850 since theyre usually some on SD? THe Sapphire version is 145+ship right now.
And, do motherboards tend to have deals? I never see them...

 

[17rawr]

Let me help you...
UD3R vs. UD3L: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001314%2040000280%201070509908&StoreType=-1&CompareItemList=N82E16813128358%2cN82E16813128359&bop=And
Both of these boards have high quality components, and both have 2oz.Copper PCB which will give you increased cooling and stability. You can find the differences yourself with my link.

The ASUS P45 line is a good line, but the overall durability and performance goes to the Gigabyte P45 Line. ASUS may look better but that is only because They come with extra but unnecessary software.
Hope this Helps

 

[sleepychink125]

Let me help you...
UD3R vs. UD3L: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001314%2040000280%201070509908&StoreType=-1&CompareItemList=N82E16813128358%2cN82E16813128359&bop=And
Both of these boards have high quality components, and both have 2oz.Copper PCB which will give you increased cooling and stability. You can find the differences yourself with my link.

The ASUS P45 line is a good line, but the overall durability and performance goes to the Gigabyte P45 Line. ASUS may look better but that is only because They come with extra but unnecessary software.
Hope this Helps

thanks. i will probably stick with the Gigabyte brand between the 3 boards of udsr, l, and p.

the link above shows the difference between R and P. I know the main difference is that P is crossfire compatible.

what is the difference between R and L?? and is crossfire the only reason why i would get UD3P??

 

[17rawr]

The two differences are that the UD3P supports CrossFire and that the UD3R supports both DDR2 and DDR3. I do not like how it supports both types because then it has a lesser amount of DDR3 you could use.(only 4gigs I think).
The only thing that I would change about your build is the CPU and cooler. Get the $20 cooler that Spathotan suggested. With the extra $ you save for that I would look at getting a different CPU if you want your system to last more than 2 years.
Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000343&Description=intel&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16819116072%2CN82E16819115206

Including the saved money on your CPU cooler this would put an extra $20 on you budget. (120-70=50) (50-30=20)
This $20 is well worth it, I think.

 

[MRFS]

You can prevent overheating with Intel's stock HSF
by purchasing one of sidewinder's LGA775 bolt-thru kits:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgbowiscsp.html


Ask for Gary Stofer, the sales contact: he's a great guy
and fully informed about Intel's "push-pin" problem.
He's got one for the LGA-1366 socket too:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thlgboreboxb.html


Just today he emailed this message to me, quoting:

Hi Paul
Sorry for the late reply, I am late and behind.
The lga bolt kits are 4.75 and $4.80 to ship via priority mail or $2.03 via first class. Let me know and I'll make you an official invoice.
Thanks!
Gary Stofer
Sidewinder Computer Systems
email: sales@sidewindercomputers.com
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com
Tel - +1 (317) 888-0949

[end quote]


MRFS

 

[spathotan]

sidewinder is good stuff. Ive ordered from them several times.

 

[sleepychink125]

thanks for that cpu advice, I was contemplating about the 7300 for so long but i figured i can always upgrade the processor maybe to a 8400-500 when they get even cheaper or maybe quads when they are called for. But for now, the 5200 will do for me.

so i dont have to buy a cooler and just that sidewinder thing for 5 bucks? that sounds like an insane deal.... im planning on OC my CPU, ram, and video card as much as possible. i am new at OC tho, but i plan on researching a bunch before hand.
also, sorry if im not clear enough, but i was curious about the differences between the UD3R and the UD3L. NOT the Ud3P- I alreayd know its money, but just curious if i should save the money there at the Mobo, so i dont have to downgrade my vid card to 4830.

 

[17rawr]

oh sorry I missed that you wanted the UD3L. I am out of time today so I will try to get to you tomorrow.

 

[sleepychink125]

If you want to "squeeze all the performance" you should look at the UD3R and not worry about the CrossFire. I say this because in a year or two the P45 will definitely be outdated and x58 may be the standard. I would stay with the G.Skill memory. but the choice is really which one you prefer.

Hey 17rawr, thanks for helping me out but this sparked something I've been thinking of for awhile. So I was almost positive in getting the UD3P until i realize that I may just upgrade again in 2-3 years. That said, it is more than likely that I will not be getting crossfire with my 4850, since I really think its overkill for my resolution of 1620x1050 and the price of 2 cards. Since motherboards will also be outdated by then, is the UD3R really the best buy for my build? (keep in mind I want to OC)

 

[17rawr]

The UD3R is the same exact board as the UD3P except for Crossfire. So yes I would get this board instead of the UD3P. Both of these boards overclock extremely well and both come with Easy Tune 6.