New Member & Need An 8400 MotherBoard Suggestion So I Can Order

[H2wOah]

First guys, thank you for your site, and letting me join. I have planned my system, and am at the point of "waverin" back and forth on the motherboard.

I am ordering the e8400: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115037

I am using a single video card only, and yes I selected the HD3870 over the 8800GT.

The memory I selected is the OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000): http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227277

The case I am using is the Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129021

My budget for a motherboard is $230.00 maximum. At this time I do not plan on running crossfire. I do want the ability to overclock the processor and memory for sure, and easily if possible.

I am completely open to suggestions, and would greatly welcome them from you guys. I thank you for your time.

I had looked at these motherboards, but if they are not good, or there is something better, please by all means tell me:

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030
GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080
DFI LP UT P35 T2R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136037
EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

What I do not want to do is get into a logistical nightmare of bad boards (I understand it can happen), and BIOS fighting with a brand new board if possible. But, thats what I wish anyway...

Open for suggestions guys, and once again, thank you.

 

[Monty_Python]

H20

I would suggest an ASUS or Gigabyte X38 boards, I noticed you choose DDR2, make sure you chose a DDR2 board.

I really my Maximus Formula, I was really looking at this Gigabyte board too..but chose the Maximus Formula, I listed the regular ASUS P5 board..but the Maximus has come down they are only about $30 apart in price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128066

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227

 

[Monty_Python]

this one is nice, and fits your budget and specs for cpu/ram ...if you havent noticed I'm a fan of the ASUS boards, I've gone through 8 different ASUS board over the years and never had an MB failure.


Just a word of caution.....most of us running the new E8400/E8500 or any new Penryn for that matter have had to flash our bios' prior to installing the new E8400, I used my old Pentium D 930 popped it into the new board flashed bios and then put in the E8400 booted right up. Make sure you know the process for flashing the bios on the new board if necessary and have a compatable cpu to install to complete the flash prior to installing the new E8400, ASUS uses something called "EZ FLASH 2 ulitity were you put the new bios on a usb thumb drive to load it..very easy..no floppy needed,most bios updates now exceed the 1.44mg capacity of a floppy.




http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

 

[OldSkool]

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024

OR

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127030

imo ;p

 

[H2wOah]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it.

It seemd like there are several suggestions so far, and from all different manufacturers. Was one of the boards more expandable in the future, even if for a short season?

And my other question, was my ram selection of DDR2 bad? I am on a budget with this build, and my last steps here are obviously the motherboard at $230 maximum, the cooler at $45 max and a HD3870 at $250 or lower.

Like I stated I am open to suggestions on those. I even was reading here on this board, that certain 3870's are clocking faster then others? So I would assume there is a preferred manufacturer(s) on the HD3870 you OC guys like?

I take all your suggestions, but still find myself going... "Sooo which one?"



Also, I should have mentioned this, I do not need onboard audio or video, I have those covered. So if that helps a little more, and lowers the price of prospects, then thats great.

 

[Monty_Python]

H20

DDR2..is very a reasonable selection right now...DDR3 sticks are just too too expensive for minimal performance increases.

Look for DDR2 speed of at least DDR2-1000 or better your selection is good. My DDR2-800/6400 is starting to show its age, I'll be swapping out to some higher speed DDR2 shortly.

 

[H2wOah]

Hmmm. Ok. Guess I am still unsure on which mothetboard of all the above listed ones. I certainly do not have a spare cpu to boot into my operating system or to boot with in general then flash the bios. So a motherboard that requires that is out for me.

Not sure which of these do NOT require you to do that.

 

[Monty_Python]

H20,

If you dont have an older compatable cpu to flash with

You might check with a local pc shop, they should be able to flash your bios on your new motherboard for a small fee(maybe $50 tops)All they need is your new motherboard tell them what cpu you are installing, you let them flash the bios and give it back to you. Then you can start your build. OR If this is your first build you might consider allowing them to mount your cpu and plug in your ram..that way if there any issues they can let you know.

Right now with the new CPUs coming out, its gonna be very trickly to get a motherboard that is new enough to recognize your new E8400. Its a long ride from Japan for most of the boards are setting in warehouses for a while, meaning they would have old bios.

 

[H2wOah]

Roger that.

 

[avafreak182]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

My vote

 

[Thomasj]

I myself am in the market for a motherboard. I just got my E8400 in a few days ago. Are there any Crossfire ready motherboards that will run the 8400 with no BIOS update?

 

[vt420]

If you aren't going to xfire you don't need and x38, p35 would work fine

gigabyte p35-ds4 is good....

I have a ds3r and like it a lot, and it would leave space under your budget cap.


Jeff

 

[H2wOah]

Ok, so here is where I am at on my build...

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129021

Rosewill RP550-2 ATX12V v2.01 550W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817182017

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813188024

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115037

SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102719

OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2-1000
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227277

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148288

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151161

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102006

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835186134

Some minor questions...

Is that the right cooler for the CPU?

Is there any reason to step down to DDR2-800? Or is the price difference not worth it? Would it be better to step down to DDR2-800 with a different brand to save a few dollars, seeing as how I am not really going to try to overclock the memory into oblivion?

I definitely want to crank this system up a little on the overclocking. However, there are no other accessories going in the system, so I do not see the need for a bigger powersupply either.

And of all the HD3870's, I tried to pick the one that had the best rating on it. I play very few games, but do a lot of HIGH detail graphic design, so I definitely like the ATI line.

But if you can spare a moment or two, I would like feedback on this build before I order. Thank you.

 

[H2wOah]

Anyone able to comment on my last post?

 

[IT_Diva]

Anyone able to comment on my last post?

Sure,

First thing is to slow down a bit and not try to build it all at once when you're on such a limited budget. .... You'll only kick yourself later!

Put real money into the foundation of your rig, the PSU, cpu cooling, and mobo.

The PSU is no place to pinch pennies! beware the retailer's add on bargains

Look at the ATI site for compatable psu's for the video cards you might like to eventually use, ...... get one of those so you're ready for the future as your video card budget allows.

http://ati.amd.com/online/certifiedpsu/index.html

My personal choice is the PC Power & Cooling 750w, It has a superb reputation for compatability and stability.

The 8400 is an issue right now, it's still too new for any of the mobo makers to have it anywhere near dialed in yet. All the mobo makers are having issues with temp and voltage reporting, at the minimum.

There will be bios releases for months to come yet before there's a mature product.

If you want to run this cpu, you need to be relatively tec savvy and expect to flash more than just 1 or 2 bios updates.

The 8400 IS NOT a pop it in and go proposition. Expect to have all the teething issues that normally come with new technology.


As others have said, there's no need to go to DDR3 memory, it's still wayyy expensive, and the benefits are minimal.

With the fsb speeds the 8400 is capable of, you'll want pc8500 memory. The sticks with the fancy heatsinks are more flash than substance. Don't be sucked in by the hype. Good case cooling and airflow is the real key.

A lot of systems are running great on relatively bargain priced GSkill.

Since you need to watch the budget, forget spending more than a minimal amount for the video card now. Come back with more money later and get what you really want, knowing that your basic system is ready for it. Just get something to get you by for a while right now and use the money saved more wisely.

I'd opt for a X38 chipset board, mobo wise, as they are pcie 2.0 compatable, and most of the top video cards are 2.0 now, and there are some compatability issues with some 2.0 cards with some older (ie p35, mobos)
An X38 board also gives you the option of getting a second card even later, as budget allows, and having a second 16X slot available for crossfire.

CPU cooling is really important if you plan to oc, and since you're here, that's a fair assumption.

For air cooling, I haven't seen a comparison where anything beats the Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 (true120) Unfortunately, it's usually always out of stock, the demand is very high. The Zalman 9700, while not quite as good, is very solid and reliable, and pretty much always available. Do your homework, google cooler reviews and comparisons, and then decide.


Anyway, hope this was helpful.


Edit to add:

Your HDD choice is good.
Wait till you have more funds and then get a 3870X2, or a 1gig memory 3870 .. or whatever you want, but just spend that money on the basics first
Why in blazes do you want an SLI mobo with plans for ATI video cards! ... Think more along the Maximus Formula line

 

[renegade44]

The 8400 IS NOT a pop it in and go proposition. Expect to have all the teething issues that normally come with new technology

Actually it was for me. But.... You need to make sure that the latest BIOS is loaded on whatever motherboard you get. Not a problem if you have a spare 775 chip to do it with or you doublecheck with whoever you buy it from.

Agree with most of what you said especially on the PSU and DDR3

But the e8400 is the AMD64 3000 for this generation of cpu's

Get it!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Monty_Python]

H20,

Just a few comments on your choices..I agree with "ITDiva" on the memory, My new 2GB of PC-8500/1066 will be here in the morning, I had originally mentioned you need ram at least PC-8000/1000mhz, and for mild overclocking 1000mhz is good you might drop back to 2GB of ram and spend those $$ on a nicer psu such as this OCZ 600 watter, its around $90. 600 watts is pently.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

Also I was puzzled as to the NForce Sli motherboard...but ATI video card. Just a suggestion...stay with the regular motherboards. As much as we all are attracted by dual video cards most of us never get around to buying that second video card. The most recent two systems I build have had dual PCI-E video card slots and since I usually upgrade every 18 months ..that second card never gets bought because theres always a faster single card out there.

Try out the Maximus Formula board, I like mine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227

So my suggestions..go with the regular 2GB of OCZ platinum PC8000 or PC 8500 save a little there($120), spend a touch more on the OCZ PSU go to 600 watts($90), Go with the Maximus Formula board($230).

These choices will allow you to still add that second ATI video card if you wish. Remember make plans to have the bios udpated for the E8400.