Socket 775 DDR3 Motherboard recommendations please

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 00:30

Ok, so 1 of my 2GB DDR2 RAM sticks got fried some how so now I need to buy a replacement stick of RAM, been looking at the prices and DDR3 RAM is a bit cheaper overall it seems.

So now it has got me thinking of buying a new motherboard that will support my current Intel Quad Core Q8300 and DDR3 RAM, reason for this is that next year I may look at upgrading my CPU so if I buy the RAM this year it will ease the finances next year when I come to upgrading the CPU.

I am aware the motherboard will have to be replaced when I get round to upgrading my CPU next year. So with that in mind I wont be spending a lot on one right now if I do decide to get the DD3 RAM.

Are any of the motherboards listed any here any good?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=5&subid=1490

I would like to be able to overclock but that isn't a deal breaker if I cannot.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 00:55

cmndr_andi said:
Hi there,

Do you plan on overclocking the CPU or need any features like SLI?

If not then one of the G41 DDR3 board there would be OK (like the GA-G41MT-S2P).

Personally, if I had a Core 2 Quad core and a need for DDR3 RAM, then I would be looking for a well priced second-hand X48 chipset DDR3 board. Then overclocking the quad as far as I could.

Thanks for the reply.
Would you be able to link or name an x48 motherboard?

I probably wont need SLI, however if the CPU overclock I get keeps me going all through next year then I may add another GTX 560, but tbh I dont think I would be using SLI with the current CPU I have.

Are any/ all of the motherboards I linked unable to do CPU overclocking?

EDIT: found some x48 motherboards on ebay and they are a bit too expensive for me, atm I am only thinking of keeping this a year or just over a year so spending £100 on a motherboard is a bit much, only reason I was looking at getting a new motherboard is so I could just buy the DDR3 RAM now and not need it next year since i need new RAM anyway.

Looking to spends around £50 on the motherboard.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 01:22

Thanks a lot for your help.

Just had a quick look for the motherboards you posted, most are over £100 some close to £200 so too pricey for me right now : ( .

With that in mind (£50ish budget for motherboard) would you say changing motherboard to one of the ones posted or a better one at £50 or less would be worth it?

Bearing in mind DDR2 RAM is dearer than DDR3 RAM and I do need to buy RAM anyway.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 01:37

My current motherboard doesnt overclock at all, heard it can but for whatever reason it just resets all the settings back to defualt one I change them in the BIOS. Might just buy a new motherboard and DD3 RAM so I am prepared for if I do upgrade the CPU next year, they best not bring out DDR4!!

So to clarify the all the motherboards in the link I posted and the Gigabyte one you recommended will definitely work for me?

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 01:46

Thanks a lot, think I will order one of those motherboards next Friday, wont be in next week and I hate my stuff being left at the neighbours!!! Plus I get paid next Friday. Wish Crysis wouldn't crash on my crappy temporary 2GB RAM right now lol.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 01:57

cmndr_andi said:
Oh, I should have asked this earlier.

If your RAM stick fried, can you not get a free replacement via RMA to the retailer or manufacturer? Most RAM kits come with lifetime warranty.

If I was to say the the stick of RAM was in a bin what would you say....lol. But I am not sure I would have got it replaced anyway, PC was a pre built although I have changed the Case, GPU, CPU Cooler and the Power supply since getting it. Might have got it but o well, guess life is all about learning from mistakes lol.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 21:01

Ok found a new Asus P5QC P45 motherboard on ebay, it is £30 more than the £50 I wanted to spend, is this motherboard a good one that will allow some overclocking on the CPU?

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 21:25

I don't think i could afford it, maybe though, I would have £100 and could stretch to £150 cash towards it.

So would need RAM, new motherboard and an i5 2500k for that plus the money I get for the Q8300 and 1 2GB DDR2 RAM, would try to sell the FOXCONN G31MX-K but I think I would have to pay someone to take my motherboard. Dont think with that in mind that I could afford it, what do you think?

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 21:33

In terms of games what would the difference be in going to an i5 2500k?, my GPU is a GTX 560ti.

craigt1989 · 20 May 2011 at 21:43

Ok then, got some serious thinking to do lol. I cant see me getting an i5 yet though just because of money. If I could overclock my current CPU past 3GHZ I think everything would be great but my current motherboard refuses to allow it which is why I was looking at the Asus P5QC motherboard because it may allow the overclocking I want, but I dont know if it does.

craigt1989 · 21 May 2011 at 00:20

Ok, mind is made up, just going for 1 2GB DDR2 RAM atm. Over next few months see how my money is and try to save up for the i5 and the rest of the stuff. Forgot I have my old GPU which I could maybe scavenge a little money from as well.