Which Skt 775 Mobo?

gushy · 5 May 2006 at 12:27

Hey guys,

I just got hold of Pentium D 820 and a gig of DDR2 (2 x 512), so now I need to build a pc around them. I've got a load of other bits I'm going to use so now I need a motherboard recommendation to fit my needs.

Obviously it needs to be Skt775, PCI-E, Sata II and if possible SLI; although that's more just for future-proofing so not essential. If it's good for overclocking that'd be an added bonus. Cheaper is better, less money on this means more money for a graphics card.

TIA,

Tooks · 5 May 2006 at 13:33

Well, the D820 rules out anything with the Nforce4 chipset, which unfortunately also rules out SLI. (The Nforce4 chipset which also does SLI doesn't support that particular chip).

I would look for an Intel 955 chipset, or maybe a 945, some of which support crossfire?

gushy · 5 May 2006 at 15:57

ok that's SLI ruled out then, I won't buy ATI so crossfire is not an option, but then SLI was only a nice to have anyway.

Intel 955 and 945 chipsets eh? I'll look into them thanks.

Tooks · 5 May 2006 at 17:04

There's also the Intel 975 chipset too, if you're feeling flush!

I've read on several websites that Nvidia may write the drivers that would enable SLI on the 955/975 chipset where the board has the two 16x PCIE slots, but that may never happen of course.

Mind you, with single graphics cards getting so powerful, I'm not sure dual graphics is necessarily a must have for a high performance gaming machine anymore, unless you've got a monster monitor capable of a high resolution.

gushy · 5 May 2006 at 18:15

flush is the opposite of where I am! my interest in SLI was to save me upgrade costs in the future, however now that I know more about this d820 I've been given, it seems that any upgrade path would probably involve a new mobo anyway, so SLI can be taken firmly off the menu.

I think I might just go with some cheapy sub-£50 mobo. From what I've no read the overclocking capabilities of the 820 arent' great, so a cheap mobo that won't overclock is no real issue.

And like I said, more saved here, more goes on the graphics card.

edit
correction none of the mobos below £50 support ddr2, so it looks like I'll be shopping in the £70-£80 area