Need help choosing C2D mobo.

[K3Fallout]

Hello guys, I'm new as you may have noticed so be gentle. Alright, so right now I plan on upgrading or build a whole new pc. I have planned everything out but I'm still deciding on some stuff like the mobo. Now I have been searching for months on mobos. I have come to the conclusion with a list: -P5b deluxe -P5w dh -DS3 -DQ6 -Intel Bad Axe 2 All I'm really looking for is really good stability and from reading on and off, all of these boards have some quirks here and there. Expensive? Yes,but here's the kicker. My brother's friend works at a site called xpcgear and can help us out and get us parts at whole sale price. I have no clue on how much it will cost at whole sale but I hope it's a lot. Anyhow, I'm kind of heading towards the P5W DH or Bad Axe 2. I'm favoring the 975 chipset because they have native IDE support when the 965 doesn't and the JMicron has it's issues with that. I'd like to try and get the Bad Axe but xpcgear doesn't carry it. My only cheapest solutions right now if I wanted to get the intel board is to get it from Micro Center for 175$ but people have been complaining about the service, or from Tiger Direct for 179 but the rebate ends on the 28th. I'd price match the Micro Center price if I could but have yet to find a reputable dealer that actually do it. I really don't want to rush and make the wrong decision because I'm dragging this build as long as until they do the price cuts on the core 2 cpus or possibly longer. To somewhat sum up what I'm asking, I just want opinions on what I should do/consider/get. Cheers.

[Dread]

The only motherboard I've used, that you mention is the 965P-DS3 from
Gigabyte. I'm very happy with it and it's performance. It's a good little
oc'er too.

Even though I'm very happy with the DS3, think my next enthusiast
purchase will be the P5W DH (for a primary gaming rig).

[Quakindude]

First off, WELCOME to Hardware logic!

Secondly, we will always be gentle. If someone isn't, one of the site admin's come along and :viking: that's if one of us Mods doesn't get to them first.

Do you plan on ever using crossfire or SLI? Crossfire is dual ATI video cards while SLI is dual nVidia video cards. This information will play a huge role in determining our recommendation to you.

The Intel Bad Axe is getting excellent reviews and I've heard next to no complaints from folks that are using it.

The DS3 is universally well liked by those that own them. If you like the DS3, check out the DQ6 we reviewed just a couple weeks ago.

Here's a list of our current mobo reviews. Our recommended hardware area is broken down by price category.

Finally, we ask that you go to your UserCP and make a signature with your current system specs. This does two things. When you ask for help troubleshooting your system, the specs are right there and secondly, if you are considering upgrades, your specs are right there.

Enjoy the site!!

[Zambini]

I love my 695P-DS3. Its also great if you dont mind spending a little extra $ for ddr2 800. I've got 3 gb of it and its pretty much sexy.
I beat pretty much anyone at loading company of heroes (unless they have the settings really low. Mine r all high)


The ds3 overclocks VERY well with a c2d. BUT there is a problem. It is limited to a 6x, 7x, and 8x core multiplier, and the lowest memory multiplier is 2x. So you can only achieve 3.2ghz (from 2.13ghz Stock Core2Duo 6400) by changing FSB and the multipliers ONLY. (That's if you have ddr2 800 ram.)


I would suggest, if you overclock, getting a Zalman CNPS9500 or 9700. It is an AMAZING heatsink.With a 1ghz overclock, I only get to 40°C at a full load. I have both cores utilizing a FAH_core (thanks to the team :)) as long as my pc is on, and it stays <40°C.

[Quakindude]

Those multipliers are set by the CPU. Some mobo's will limit your CPU's multiplier settings in the Bios, but the DS3 isn't one of them. The Extreme Edition C2D's have unlocked multipliers so you can use whatever you want.

If you're running a E6600 like me, or the E6400/6300, you're limited to two lower multipliers and no higher ones AFAIK.

[screwballl]

I just built one myself yesterday with the DS3 mobo... works great!!!

[gvblake22]

I have not heard anyone complaining about PATA issues using the 965 chipsets, those might have been isolated incidents you heard about. Do you plan on running some sort of elaborate RAID array on the PATA port or something?

Otherwise, all of those motherboards you listed are very good options. If you are hoping for a 975X board, you might want to check out the DFI Infinity 975X/G too.

[K3Fallout]

Hey ya'll. To answer I hope most of the questions, No I don't plan on ever running SLI/Crossfire. I don't think I'll ever use RAID since I have no idea on what the heck it is. All I want is..well, a working boot hard drive and storage hard drives,nothing more. Yeah, seems like a lot vote for the DS3 when it comes to price/performance. I forgot to add, but I think all I really need to look for is a case, the mobo, and maybe the ram. I forgot to mention that as of now with this system I don't have any plans for ocing, but I will mostly change my mind as soon as I figure it out and learn how to do it. To edit my wants, it's the stability, the accessories and good airflow (for the case that is.) Yeah so I'm wanting case recommendations as well, but I'll probably leave that for another topic. The video card and psu I already know what I want. Also, I'll edit my sig and post my current system specs. EDIT: Oh right the other thing I forgot to add for my mobo wants is a good sound chip, IF possible. I want to try to avoid spending extra money on a sound card and take up a PCI slot.

[gvblake22]

I think the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 is a great choice. All of those boards are going to have about the same level of onboard audio. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the onboard audio solutions available on today's mainstream and high-end motherboards; many even have digital audio connections as well! You should be fine with the onboard audio solution on whichever board you choose.

Do you have a SATA or PATA hard drive?

[K3Fallout]

I bought an IDE 120gb Seagate a long time ago from a Black Friday,so I'm using that. If space is still in demand, then I'm going to go with SATA after. EDIT: I think the maximum amount of hard drives I will ever have in one computer in my life time is 2 or 3 maximum.