New help finding the right mobo for my system.

[Fallap]

Im simply lost in the jungle of motherboards, I got all the other parts at place but the mobo's are hard to pick.

Heres the spec for my PC build (Gonna build it next week)

Grafix: Evga GeForce 8800 GT Video Card, 512 mb GDDR3
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor - 3.0GHz
RAM: Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance TwinX PC6400 2048mb CL4
PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower Cable Management W0116
HD: Samsung Spinpoint T166 500 Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, Serial
CPU Fan: ThermalRight Ultra 120-eXtreme
Monitor: Samsung 226BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 2ms
Cabinet: Zalman 1000 GT
Mouse: Logitech MX518
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
DVD: Samsung Super-WriteMaster SE-S204N
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium, OEM 64 bit
Fans for the ThermalRight Ultra 120-eXtreme 1x Zalman ZMF3RL 120mm red led

Id be happy if you people could reccomend me a good Motherboard :)

LG775 socket is required
and 7.1 sound would be great

Thanks in advance, - Fallap

[gvblake22]

Your requirements didn't narrow down your choices to much, there are TONS of LGA 775 motheroards that are compatible with Core 2 Duo processors and prettymuch every one will have a decent onboard sound system usually capapble of 7.1 channel sound.

Are you hoping to have SLI or Crossfire capability in the future? Is eSATA necessary? Do you need two onboard ethernet ports for whatever reason? Do you want to overclock with the is motherboard?

Without answers to those questions, I would suggest you check out the P35 based motherboards. It is the newest mainstream chipset from Intel and has a lot of great features but you won't be able to do SLI. Here are some P35 boards from Gigabyte and Asus that are reasonably priced and worth considering:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R

(only difference is that the DS3R features more RAID options due to the Intel ICH9R southbridge. If you want extra RAID features, the DS3R would be a better choice, but if you want to save some money, the DS3L would be better.)

ASUS P5K SE
ASUS P5K

(the P5K has two PCI-Express x16 slots, a SPDIF digital audio out and a firewire port while the P5K SE has only one PCI-Express x16 slot and no onboard firewire. Unless you absolutely want two PCI-Epxress x16 slots for CrossFire capability, then the P5K SE should be a fine choice)

Past these boards I showed you, the prices start going up a lot faster and I wasn't sure what your budget is like...

[Fallap]

Thanks for your reply :D

[stinger608]

Like Blake asked, are you wanting to SLI the 8800GT later????

As he said, this will make a big difference in mobo choices

Oh yea, and WELCOME TO HARDWARELOGIC!!!

[Fallap]

I might go SLI with another 8800gt, but still not 100% sure. (Also heard you need a 1000W PSU for SLI)

So a SLI mobo would be a good choice, yeah.

And thanks for the welcome

[Loosecannon]

Becareful with the Samsung 226bw monitor, there are several different panels used with the true "S" panel (made by samsung being the best),there is an "A" panel which is not too bad either. Unfortunately you won't know what you get until you get it. My first was a "C" panel and had noticeable backlight bleed compared to my current "S" panel .... i was lucky enough to be in a situation where i was able to exchange it and make sure i got an "S". I'm hearing that Samsung has corrected this issue by branding all the panels with the "S" stamp regardless of whats inside, along with that i'm also told they've weeded out the lower quality panels. If you do get an "S" panel you won't be disapointed its a great screen.

If your budget allows - the P5K Premium is a ROCK steady board and produces great OC results,it is expensive tho and not SLi.

[stinger608]

Well if you think that you might be going with a SLI later, then you might want to consider this board:

Newegg.com - ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

A touch on the spendy side, $180+ shipping, but it has a ton of BIOS options for overclocking!

And there is no need for a 1000w power supply to run SLI!!! The Thermaltake tough power should be more than enough of a psu for that :-)

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

Abit IP35 Pro ... winner of numerous awards.

220 Reviews on Newegg and 81% rating ... most other Excellent boards haven't near as many professional recommendations and certainly not close to the satisfaction level on Newegg for as many reviewers.

Newegg.com - ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

I have 6 recent Core2 and Quad builds and have built perhaps 50 custom systems. [Not including perhaps 200 rebuilds]

Asus P5B Wifi Deluxe
Asus P5B Deluxe
Asus P5B Plus
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2
Abit IP35 Pro
Abit AB9 QuadGT

I like the IP35 Pro by far the best. It has simple rich features cool running high end components and is a delight to use. The External Esatas are very beneficial plus the superior Bios and overclocking capabilities make it hands down a very nice board to build on.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Well if you think that you might be going with a SLI later, then you might want to consider this board:

Newegg.com - ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

A touch on the spendy side, $180+ shipping, but it has a ton of BIOS options for overclocking!

And there is no need for a 1000w power supply to run SLI!!! The Thermaltake tough power should be more than enough of a psu for that :-)

I used to have that board and loved it for the time I had it. You might want to consider a true 680i board as well such as this XFX one: Newegg.com - XFX MB-N680-ISH LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

[Fallap]

Thanks for all your replies :) Il prolly go with the ABit one :)