790i vs P45 vs X48

im getting a E8600 processor and running DDR3 2000 or 1600 and im looking for a mobo... im considering

EVGA 790i

Asus Rampage Extreme

what mobo will work the best for a single graphics card, easy over clocking... my system will be liquid cooled

Since you only want one GPU i would avoid the 790i as it is not as stable as other chipsets.

The ASUS Rampage Extreme is a very good choice if youve got the money for it.

Or..

You could try the FOXCONN BlackOPs (it also has liquid cooling (NB) included with it)

Some Info...

BLACKOPS delivers the ultimate in computing power for todays' most demanding applications, and enables greater agility and control through specialist hardware and BIOS features. Based on the Intel® X48 chipset and supporting processors up to 2000MHz FSB (via overclocking), BLACKOPS is designed for high-performance computing 3* PCIe x16 Gen2.0 slots with CrossFireX™ support enable powerful graphics configurations, whilst unique enthusiast features such as the 4in1 Quantum Cooler enable air/water/LN2 cooling of NB, SB and VRM areas. The highly-configurable Quantum BIOS reveals a huge range of performance settings and tuning capabilities, and coupled with the robust 8 phase Digital PWM, enthusiasts can take their PC to new overclocking heights! The dedicated SONAR daughter card provides high-quality 7.1 channel HD audio, whilst Dual Gigabit LAN, eSATA, FireWire, USB2.0 and SATA RAID are all integrated onboard. Special accessories include the Quantum Flow GPU cooling system, for improving air-flow around graphics cards, and the Quantum Lap motherboard tray for easier access to the motherboard when on the testing bench..

well the rampage extreme is an excellent choice if your only going with one vid card and dont plan to got to two u may as well go with a p45 chipset like the asus p5q3 deluxe.

what if i did one two cards? is the nvidia my only choice?

If you want SLI then yes the 790i is your choice.

For crossfire go with the x48 board

For midrange crossfire/ single card setup, go with the p45 board.

If you just want 1 card, just buy the p45. I like Gigabyte

You can always buy a dual card solution. The 4850x2 is coming out soon for 300 bucks or so. You can save 200 bucks on the board so this card would only cost you 100.

If money is not an issue get the rampage if you are going ATI or 790i for NVIDIA.

I would wait before i buy anything at this stage... X58 is coming out and it can do both CF or SLI.

X58 is coming out and it can do both CF or SLI.

Click to expand...

And put a gigantic dent in your pocket book since you will have to by a nehalem processor and DDR3 along with the already very expensive x58 mobo.

X48 Motherboards are already a decent price and will only get cheaper. They are a great option. There are plenty of very high performance and far from obsolete options right now that are either already dropped in price or will be. If you are more cost concious, and are planning on going with a single high end GFX card or two mid-range cards, then the P45 will make you much happier. . I seriously doubt the jump to nehalem is a move everybody is going the be able to make until quite a ways down the road.

Brollocks did a thread comparing x8 and x16 crossfire with some 4870's and there was almost no difference. But if you wanna keep this mobo till after the newer cards come out, nobody can vouch for that until they have been tested! - But also - If you OCing lower-end cards - you might as well just get one good card because the problems, etc.. just arent worth it, if you can help it just get one good card anyhow.. Unless you are doing some kind of FTW system, in which case, read the above carefully and spend wisely!

The Rampage Extreme flat out owns.

(This is coming from a guy who's tried almost every board in the book)

I would vote for the Extreme also if you plan on doing some serious OCing...this board seriously owns...but if your not a serious OCer...it can end up owning you with all of the BIOS options it has (thank you Asus for adding them )

Gautam said:

I do have 6 Core2 chips sitting here, is that bad?

Click to expand...

I have just 4 chips, E6320, E8200, E8500, E8600.

What is on your desk?

That's a quote that I took from El<(')>Maxi.

I have "only" four as well...3 E8600's and one QX9650.

(But I have more motherboards than chips )