In need of help, advice and opinions - Core 2 motherboards

**Freddie** · September 07, 2006, 05:06 PM

I’ve got my heart set on building a new rig based around the Intel Core 2 E6400 and in a couple of weeks time I’ll be buying the parts for it. The only part of the build that is a grey area for me is which motherboard to get, basically I’m looking for a motherboard that’s stable and reliable, can overclock and has either SLI of Crossfire capabilities. Even on this criteria, I’ve only managed to shorten the list of possible buys to 5 boards. They are as follows;

- Asus P5W DH Deluxe WiFi
- MSI 975X Platinum-PE
- Intel Extreme D975bx-304 (Bad Axe)
- Asus P5N32-SLi SE Deluxe
- Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3

Each board has its pros and cons, and there prices range from 'a lot of money' to 'a hell of a lot of money' so as you can guess I don't want to mess up on the vital product choice.

On the face of it the MSI board looks the most promising, it has a lot features and overclocks well however I have read a few reports on the internet that the board has a lot problems from over heating, not working with USB keyboards, not being able set the right FSB for processor that’s been fitted in (yes before it's been overclocked or tampered with). And as a result this has put me offer buying it unless someone has acutely brought one and had one working with a Core 2 chip. The Aus P5W is also good but the price makes it one of the more expensive boards on the list and it's as good for overclocking as the Gigabtyte. The Gigabyte however is apparently one of the best boards around is popular with overclockers but I don't think it has Crossfire capabilities. The Asus P5N32 SLI is about the same prices its crossfire cousin , I haven't done much reading up on this board so maybe someone can fill me in.

So any opinions you can give or if you think of another I have overlooked please let me know. Cheers.

**Incinerate_IV** · September 07, 2006, 05:52 PM

The Gigabyte DS3 don't have SLI or crossfire, but it is a very well overclocker. Right now the most tweakable motherboard is actually Intel's 975XBX, but if you want to get the full potential of that motherboard and to overclock at all, you need to physically modify that motherboard, which can get pretty dangerious. Other than that I heard the 2 Asus is pretty good. Look up some reviews on the web of each motherboard.

**Saint71810** · October 10, 2006, 07:47 AM

Get the Asus board with the newest Intel chipset. That is the board I'm getting for my conroe build.

**Lusted** · October 10, 2006, 09:25 AM

Well whilst the board i got for my new comp isn't the best for over clocking, it is SLI and crossfire compatible, and is meant for conroes, and is pretty cheap.