Help choosing a board?

matt_fsr · 20 May 2008 at 12:50

Gyaaaaah I cant decide!! Needing a motherboard to partner 4Gb of Corsair XMS2 and an E7200.

I seem to have narrowed down a board choice to something based on the P35 chipset, and I dont want to spend any more than £80, ideally a little less if possible though.

Anyone have any experience with the Abit IP-35 Darkraider?

I also like the look of the Gigabyte DSL3, but not 100% happy about the lone, small NB coolers on the cheaper boards like this.

Would it be better to go for the type that has additional NB cooling, like the heatpipe solutions?

Cob · 20 May 2008 at 12:56

I think the Dark Raider is pretty much just a standard IP35.

In that price bracket the Abit IP35 and the Gigabyte P35 DS3R are popular. Both are solid and clock well.

matt_fsr · 20 May 2008 at 14:02

Cheers - I was looking at the Dark Raider over the standard Abit due to the extra NB cooling, and is seems that the Freezer 7 doesnt fit too well on the vanilla Abit board.

Still considering the Gigabyte, not certain whether to upgrade before I go on hols, or wait until I get back for prices to drop a lil as its no use having it all built sat at home idle!!

Cob · 20 May 2008 at 14:54

When are you back from your hols? The new P45 boards are due in 3-4 weeks.

matt_fsr · 20 May 2008 at 15:05

Back on 18th June - Arent the P45's going to be sky-high price wise though? And it'll take a bit of time to dig up the 'wheat from the chaff' as it were?

Tempted to get the stuff BEFORE hols... or ill spend all my pocket money abroad on wine, women and song

krooton · 20 May 2008 at 15:19

MSI Neo2-FR P35

Cob · 20 May 2008 at 15:20

matt_fsr said:
Back on 18th June - Arent the P45's going to be sky-high price wise though? And it'll take a bit of time to dig up the 'wheat from the chaff' as it were?

Tempted to get the stuff BEFORE hols... or ill spend all my pocket money abroad on wine, women and song

The P45's will be about he same price as the P35's. And P35's will probably drop in price a little when they appear.

matt_fsr · 21 May 2008 at 11:17

krooton said:
MSI Neo2-FR P35

Bought! Like the black PCB and heatsink affair thing going on, as well as the crossfire potential for later (current board could do SLi, not used it tho)

Also, ManCuBus has one and he's clocking a 7200 to 4Ghz, so hoping to get somewhere near that! Even 3.5Ghz would be OK for a bit, should mop the floor with my current 2.75Ghz.