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Flare2712
24-04-08, 19:04
I have decided on every component besides a MOBO so i need some help choosing one please, i am planning on adding another graphics card further down the line so the MOBO needs to be SLi ready.

This is the set up im planning on getting;
Q6600 @2.4 GHz
9800GTX
Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 C4 XMS2 (2x1GB)
500GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA2 16MB
Hiper 880W

If you have any recommendations on other components please feel free to tell me.

Cheers,

Flare
Mul.
24-04-08, 19:32
What resolution will you be playing games at? Are you going to be overclocking at all?
Flare2712
24-04-08, 19:36
As high as possible realy. I was planning on getting 20" widescreen monitor with a resolution of 1680 x 1050.

Oh and im not planning on OC
Mul.
24-04-08, 19:44
It's questionable as to whether you'll see much of a difference in SLI with any game at 1680x1050. At this resolution, framerates will be > 40fps generally. By the time you look into a second one, a faster single card will be around.

If you check out reviews, only a couple of games will see a significant jump in framerates with SLI. The others are are nothing other than double the price with a 30-40% framerate boost. Not worthwhile in my opinion.

I'm not here to force opinions on anyone of course. Just stating some facts and clearing up a common misconception that two graphics cards in SLI will mean double the performance.

For SLI, I'd be looking at Asus' nForce 780i range. If not, I'd be looking at maybe Intel P35/X38/X48 based boards from MSI, Gigabyte and DFI.
Flare2712
24-04-08, 19:49
Ok, now that i think of it it does seem pointless to SLi, especially with the 9800gtx.
So forgetting that could you recommend a MOBO for about £100 (dont mind spending a bit more if need be) and one for overclocking (just out of interest).
Sorry about this but i realy dont know anything about motherboards.
Mul.
24-04-08, 20:01
The two boards I have in mind are:

MSI P35 Neo2 Fr - Excellent board for the money. Sub £70, overclocks well, decent board layout, well built. All in all should suit your rig quite well. Also offers 16x/4x ATi Crossfire if you ever go ATi.

DFI LanParty DK X38 or X48 - Slightly better board than the above in terms of overclocking Quads. Very good BIOS, slightly better board layout and the X38 version could be argued to have a slightly less intrusive NB Cooler depending on the CPU Cooler you pick. X38 can be found for around £120 and the X48 for around £140. These are also PCI-Express 2.0 boards if that's of any use and touts full PCI-E 16x ATi Crossfire support as well should you ever go over to ATi.
Flare2712
24-04-08, 20:09
Many thanks, you have help a lot =D

Ive had a quick look at the X38 and these 2 came up for the same price, i was just wondering if you could recommend one, thanks:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+775+%28Intel%29/Asus+P5E+X38+Chipset+%28Skt+775%29+1600FSB+DDR2+PC I-E+Crossfire?productId=28816

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+775+%28Intel%29/Asus+P5E3+Intel+X38+Socket+775+Motherboard+?produc tId=30458

Thanks again.
Mul.
24-04-08, 20:13
Out of those two, the P5E as the other one is DDR3 only.
PeterStoba
24-04-08, 20:15
The P5E3 only supports DDR3 not the cheaper DDR2 you had planned, the P5E is the one you want, the performance vs price between DDR3 and 2 atm is not worth it
Flare2712
24-04-08, 20:16
Thanks a lot Mul, you have been a great help!
I think i can safely say thats the decision made then!

Cheers again =]

Flare
Flare2712
24-04-08, 20:22
So peter, what you are saying is dotn go for the MOBO that is ddr2? =S
Mul.
24-04-08, 20:38
The P5E3 only supports DDR3 not the cheaper DDR2 you had planned, the P5E is the one you want, the performance vs price between DDR3 and 2 atm is not worth it


He's saying the opposite and building on what I've stated. DDR2 > DDR3 in terms of performance for the money right now. £80 for 2GB DDR3 makes no sense at all.
PeterStoba
24-04-08, 20:59
No, I am saying don't go for a DDR3 !
Flare2712
24-04-08, 20:59
Ah right ok then, sorry about the confusion.
I think i shall be getting that MOBO then.

Many thanks.

Flare
Flare2712
24-04-08, 21:00
He's saying the opposite and building on what I've stated. DDR2 > DDR3 in terms of performance for the money right now. £80 for 2GB DDR3 makes no sense at all.


No, I am saying don't go for a DDR3 !


Haha, i understand that now =D

Im too tired for my own good, haha.

Cheers.