CHIPSETs

QlimaxUK · 15 Oct 2007 at 20:28

thinkin bout upgrading my existing pc, so will need a cheap motherboard that is compatable with a 1333 FSB cpu, at least 2 gb max DDR2 667 Ram, PCI-e 16x.
Never ever been sure on how choose a chipset

in the way of cost-efficacy the EVGA nForce 650i Ultra Motherboard seems perfect, but im being told that the chipset aint that good

so... am i wrong or right in buying this board

The Running Man · 15 Oct 2007 at 20:29

well ask the person who;'s tellin ya its bad, a, why is it bad, and b, what is better for the money.

answer - not much.

QlimaxUK · 15 Oct 2007 at 20:45

well they didnt say its was bad.. just that the P35 was a better choise.
but i dont know how to tell how 1 chipset is better then another, apart from price diff oc

WJA96 · 16 Oct 2007 at 05:46

P35 is only better than the 650i Ultra in one respect - it's more stable for overclocking quad-core CPUs. If you're looking to build a cheap-n-cheerful dual-core then the 650i Ultra is excellent, and dirt cheap (under £50 delivered for the XFX version from many places). If you want to overclock a quad-core then P35 will get you another 200-400MHz out of it.

The Running Man · 16 Oct 2007 at 10:33

but i would say that Quad core clocking is limited by the CPU itself as opposed to the MB chipset blocking it.

for example, you may struggle to get a Q66 that does over 3ghz healthy wheras the 650i could allow 3.5 and the P35 3.7... but if the cpu isnt up to it, then it becomes a moot point!

dont spend loads on th 650i. do a cheap and cheerful. but do get the ultra!

WJA96 · 16 Oct 2007 at 11:03

I agree with what you are saying that the CPU ultimately controls it's own maximum if nothing else is limiting, however it is generally accepted that the P35 chipset is better for clocking quad-cores than the P965, which is in turn better than anything from NVidia except the revised EVGA 680i motherboards.

[Edit]Apparently the BFG is also revised and clocks Quads well too[/Edit]

QlimaxUK · 16 Oct 2007 at 17:22

thats ok then, since im not intending to oc then my primary choise should b perfect

CyZMyAssBaby · 16 Oct 2007 at 17:23

WJA96 said:
I agree with what you are saying that the CPU ultimately controls it's own maximum if nothing else is limiting, however it is generally accepted that the P35 chipset is better for clocking quad-cores than the P965, which is in turn better than anything from NVidia except the revised EVGA 680i motherboards.

An excellent post