Got a better idea? - Motherboard

[Denholm]

Hey there guys.

I was, once again, making an estimate for a friend of mine on a killer computer that doesn't exceed $1,000. Well, I got the estimate put together, however I don't feel comfortable with the choice of Motherboard. Could you guys chip in and help out?

I was looking for a motherboard that has the ability to expand in multiple dimensions. Most likely the computer will be used with Windows XP Pro SP3. So if I'm recalling this correctly, DDR3 is not supported. If it is, that's great! However let's stick with 4x 240 pin DDR2 1066. As for expansion slots, I was looking at 2x PCIe 2.0 16x. This way the user could decide if he wants to expand to two video cards with the option of Crossfire or SLI. As for storage, 4x - 6x SATA should do it.

Here is my estimate:

Computer Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-KKN1-GP
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152
$69.99

PSU: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
$104.99 (Before rebate(s))

Motherboard: DFI LP DK X48-T2RSB
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136054
$199.99

Processor (CPU): Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$164.99

Memory (RAM): Kingston HyperX
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104038
$51.99

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N975-AR
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130380
$129.99 (Before Rebate(s))

Sound Card: Creative SB 70SB104000000
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102017
$51.99

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
$54.99

CD/DVD burner & reader: SAMSUNG Black
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171
$25.99

Subtotal: $854.91



As you can see, I gave the user space inside the computer case to move around. I also ensured that the case had plenty of ventilation and the ability to add more fans. The issue I'm having here, though, is that I'm only finding motherboards that support either SLI or Crossfire, not both. Is there a motherboard that has the features mentioned above (4x 240-pin DDR2 @ 1066, 4-6x SATA, and 2x PCIe 2.0 x16) while supporting both Crossfire and SLI? Or will I just have to tell the user to pick if he will head in the direction of NVidia or ATI?

Thanks in advance guys, and feel free to scrutinize other choices I made. (Just remember, under $1,000.)

[AirFlyer]

I don't think there is a motherboard that will support SLI and Crossfire since that is controlled my the chipsets on the motherboard. Usually you have to pick one or the other depending on your own personal preference.

[Denholm]

Alright, I guess I'll ask him next time we talk. Thanks again.

[Reschke]

I have heard that such a motherboard does exist though. Let me do some digging while eating lunch.

http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-2666-view-Foxconn-X38A-SLI-and-crossfire-support.html

Foxconn X38A Motherboard: This one claims to support SLI and Crossfire. I hope this helps point the way to what you are looking for in a decent price range.

Otherwise I have read that one from Intel called Skulltrail D5400XS...it is still a little on the pricey side up over $600 for just the motherboard.

[Denholm]

Perfect! Found that Foxconn board decently priced on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186134&Tpk=foxconn%20X38A

I'm going to place it on the estimate although the specifications mention nothing about Crossfire or SLI support. Thanks again!

EDIT: Wow, that shaved the price down some. Plus I'm more confident in the choice of motherboard. Excellent deal!

[DREDIOCK]

EDIT: Wow, that shaved the price down some. Plus I'm more confident in the choice of motherboard. Excellent deal!

If your saving over $20 you might want to consider a hard drive with a 32 MB cache as opposed to 16

Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148309


Or
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Your Price:$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
(I have this drive, Nice drive)

[TilDeath]

I would install this memory, I have personal experance with it and you can clock it up over 1700FSB (on MB that supports 1600 FSB OC) without adding voltage or adjusting timings
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289  I can sell you the same PSU for 84.99 my everyday price on it but no free shipping (will call OCZ and see if they will give me the rebate too).  I would dump the sound card since your gonna be using the E8400 and will Max out at the 60fps on AHII and gain 53.00 for your build to step the video card up a touch into a evga 9800 GTX+ (pn# 512-P3-N879-AR) the two recomendations I made on here would increase the system overall speed greatly without going over budget.  If your guy don't mind OPEN BOX from Newegg this is the route to go but probably have to act quickly http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131255R  I have the setup you stated just different HDs and this thing screams

E8400 @ 3.72
Striker II Forumula
OCZ Reaper 4gb
evga 9800GTX+

3Dmark score just under 15k

[Fulmar]

Windows XP supports DDR3.

[Denholm]

Thanks for the info guys! I've updated my estimate for my friend and it now includes these parts:

Computer Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-KKN1-GP
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152
$69.99

PSU: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
$104.99 (Before rebate(s))

Motherboard: Foxconn X38A
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186134&Tpk=foxconn%20X38A
$159.99

Processor (CPU): Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$164.99

Memory (RAM): OCZ Reaper HPC
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
$66.99 (Before Rebate(s))

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
$159.99 (Before Rebate(s))

Sound Card: Creative SB 70SB104000000
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102017
$51.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Cavier Black WD5001AALS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
$69.99

CD/DVD burner & reader: SAMSUNG Black
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171
$25.99

Subtotal: $874.91


Thanks for the info Fulmar.

[eagl]

I picked up an ASUS P5Q Pro for about $130 before rebates.  That would let you stretch your vid card budget a bit further towards an Nvidia GTX 260.

I have also seen the intel 8400 for closer to $150 recently, so shop around and check out some sites that have promo deals with newegg to see if they offer free shipping or a discount.  hardocp's "hot deals" forums often has good deals, and subscribing to newegg's email ads may get you decent prices on ram, cpus, mobos, etc.

If he's into overclocking, consider one of the slower quad core cpus and a good aftermarket heatsink.

I'd skip that soundcard.  The only soundcard I'd get, based on owning one and what I've read in here (including what I interpreted as a recommendation by skuzzy) would be an audigy 2 ZS.  Onboard sound is "good enough" (it's what I'm using right now, on my ASUS P5Q Pro) and you'll get a much better payoff using that money for a better vid card.  Go with a $130 mobo and ditch the soundcard and you ought to be able to easily fit a GTX 260 or a better ATI/AMD card into the budget.

I recommend against insisting on an SLI or crossfire capable motherboard...  Waste of money IMHO unless the guy is a hardcore gamer, but we already know he isn't because of the budget he's set.  He'll get a better bang for the buck by saving a few bucks by not insisting on SLI/crossfire compatibility, getting a faster single vid card NOW, and then just replacing it outright when he needs a new one.  Buying a slower vid card now just means he'll be dissatisfied with it sooner and then he'll be spending another $150 on a second obsolete card that still won't get him the performance he wants.  SLI/crossfire is not a cost effective upgrade path, it's for enthusiasts who have the money to buy speed NOW.  I don't think you'll find a single enthusiast website that recommends buying a mid-range vid card now to save money, with the idea of buying a second one later.  You're better off buying a cheaper non-SLI mobo and a faster vid card now because you'll be happier with it for longer and can skip a generation or two before upgrading.

[715]

Perfect! Found that Foxconn board decently priced on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186134&Tpk=foxconn%20X38A

I'm going to place it on the estimate although the specifications mention nothing about Crossfire or SLI support. Thanks again!

EDIT: Wow, that shaved the price down some. Plus I'm more confident in the choice of motherboard. Excellent deal!

Actually it clearly states it supports Crossfire but says nothing at all about SLI.

Re MB sound vs sound card.  My MB sound is just fine for playback.  It's not so hot for 3D positional game audio like in AH.  There are audio glitches and the Doppler effect is a tad exaggerated.  Also the positional audio isn't as good as my old SB Live 5.1.  I guess furballers don't really care about postional audio but GVers depend on it a lot (I've killed GV targets from my tank aiming with sound alone- never saw the target).

[Denholm]

I picked up an ASUS P5Q Pro for about $130 before rebates.  That would let you stretch your vid card budget a bit further towards an Nvidia GTX 260.

I was considering that board for a while, yet some of the reviews kept me weary. Although people rave that it's a good board, there are the few that have issues with memory not being recognized, difficulty installing the OS, and hard drives not being recognized. That's another reason I chose the Foxconn listed above, simply because the reviews are mainly positive and none have mentioned any cons that include difficulty getting the board to recognize anything.

[Getback]

I use an abit board on my gaming comp. I think the IP45 pro neos. Seems to do quite well. However, I have no loyalty in this area. Mainly I look at the reviews and features. Does it do what I need? Is it easily overclocked. How's it made (ie high quality parts)?

[Fulmar]

I use an abit board on my gaming comp. I think the IP45 pro neos. Seems to do quite well. However, I have no loyalty in this area. Mainly I look at the reviews and features. Does it do what I need? Is it easily overclocked. How's it made (ie high quality parts)?

Abit ceased operations at the beginning of 2009.  If you didn't know, here's the article.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/ABIT-Closes-Gates-on-December-31st-100583.shtml

[Getback]

Abit ceased operations at the beginning of 2009.  If you didn't know, here's the article.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/ABIT-Closes-Gates-on-December-31st-100583.shtml

Well see there they were a great mb company and had great products. Too bad management brought them down. But doesn't management bring down so many companies.

No matter, the other computer has a MSI board and it is awesome as well. Hope they aren't out of business.

Like I said I have no loyalty here. Though I sure hate to see abit go under.