Best Mobo for E6600, DDR2 PC8000 & X1900XTX

[Klytus]

I have been debating which Mobo tho get now for a few weeks and thought I'd decided on the Abit IN9 32X-MAX (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-119-AB).

Now I am holding on ordering until someone can show me it IS the best 680i board available. If it isn't then I am looking at maybe getting the EVGA (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-000-EA).

But is there a better board suited to my setup/needs?
Ideally I want something:-
-stable
-futureproof (will be upgrading to Vista and DX10 GFX)
-with decent onboard sound
-suited to E6600, cellshock 2x1gb ddr2 PC28000 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-001-CK), X1900XTX
-will fit a storm Apogee CPU block


I intend to overclock the CPU RAM and GFX (cpu & gfx on H2O) and the system will be used mainly for games, video encoding and running emulators.

Is the EVGA the board to choose (pending the reviews of the Abit) or would I be better off with one of the 965 or 975 chipsets?
Any advice is much apreciated.

 

[Nelly]

Hi there,

More or less the same specs as you, I've just bought the Abit IN9 32X-MAX, E6600 (Week 28B), CellShock 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 PC2-8000C4 1000MHz Dual Channel Kit.

I'll will have this tommorow, so hopefully post some results over the weekend *fingers crossed*

I took a gamble with this board, I had originally set my mind on the Evga as a lot of people on these forums have had really good results - Easyrider, Asgard, W3bbo, marscay cant remember who else....

If money is an issue, I would wait till a few people have posted results, if its poo go for the Evga.

 

[Doc Shorla]

Admittedly the IN9 has some cracking features and has performed well in a lot of bechtests. However they do seem to be hit and miss when it come to the reliability stakes. I was very tempted with this board but already had to rma 2 so couldnt be bothered. My advice is go for it, hopefully u'll get a cracker, if not just rma it

 

[stickroad]

Your going to spend £252 on a motherboard?

That probally wont overclock much more than boards like the ASUS P5B-Deluxe, Intel Bad Axe etc.

The E6600 maxes out at about 3.5 - 3.7 stable.

Yeah that board might be able to do a bit more than that but is it worth the extra 70-130 pounds more?

And even if you do get it to do more than 3.6ghz ill dealt the temps will be nice and cool.

£250 on a motherboard is crazy wow

 

[Klytus]

I don't mind spending £250 on a Mobo IF its fantastic and IF i won't need to upgrade it for a year or two, (after all I have just spent £200+ on a PSU!! ).

The thing is now Vista is around the corner I am looking at getting the OEM ultimate for £135. Now thats fine if I stick with whichever Mobo I choose, however if I buy one which I need to upgrade then I am looking at having to buy another OEM license for £135, or instead buying the retail version now for £200 more.

If the reviews say the IN9 is amazing then I will get one, if not then I'll be looking at one of these :-

EVGA nForce 680
DFI Lanparty UT ICFX3200T2R/G RD600
Asus P5W64-WS Pro Intel 975X
Abit AW9D-MAX Intel 975X
DFI Infinity 975X
Asus P5B Deluxe

 

[vapor matt]

I would go for the Asus P5WDG2 WS pro board. has everything you need. and is a proper workstation board with PCI-X slots for useing SCSI ultra 320 at full speed. plus it suports crossfire.

A great baord which clocks very nicely indeed.