Help me pick the best board!

[ShadowFold]

I wanna start OCing my E2200 again and my Foxconn does a terrible job at it.. Plus I need to start building a backup rig/server and im gonna use my old foxconn as a start. Here are the ones im looking at right now.

ASUS P5K-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131225), DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136043), or should I go all out and get a EVGA 750i (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026&Tpk=EVGA%2b750i)? I just want to get a stable board that will keep my E2200 at 3ghz atleast.. Im gonna get a Xigmatek HDT cooler with it as well.

Thanks!

[PVTCaboose1337]

My pick between those two would have to be the ASUS, because of many reasons plus the obvious, it takes the DDR2-1066.

[mrw1986]

Get a Maximus Formula!

[theonetruewill]

Can I be rude? - How good are you at overclocking -if you are very good, then get the DFI, if not an "expert" get the asus P5K-E. It's an excellent board and fast too (reach high FSB speeds, 510+)

[ShadowFold]

I heard DFI's have more options and stuff but are there really that many? Also I see you have a P5K board does it OC good?

[trt740]

I heard DFI's have more options and stuff but are there really that many? Also I see you have a P5K board does it OC good?

not true at all the P5K-e has a ton of overclocking options and will do 540 FSB. It is a fantastic board. I had one the DFI doesn't have more options.

[ShadowFold]

Alright I wanna do 400x8 for 3.2ghz and 1.2 mem divider for 800mhz. Can the P5K-E do that? How is ASUS's support by the way?

[trt740]

Alright I wanna do 400x8 for 3.2ghz and 1.2 mem divider for 800mhz. Can the P5K-E do that? How is ASUS's support by the way?

it can do it blind folded and you won't need any support here is a thread Also it used ddr2 1200 with no problem

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168256

[ShadowFold]

Alright one last question. That supports 45nm's like the E7200/E8200 etc with a bios flash right?

[trt740]

Alright one last question. That supports 45nm's like the E7200/E8200 etc with a bios flash right?

most likely it will support it out of the box but with easy flash you can use a usb drive to flash the board at first boot. review for ya http://www.nordichardware.com/Reviews/?page=1&skrivelse=526

[ShadowFold]

most likely it will support it out of the box but with easy flash you can use a usb drive to flash the board at first boot. review for ya http://www.nordichardware.com/Reviews/?page=1&skrivelse=526

Wow thats a nice feature! I wont have a 45nm by the time I get the board but that is pretty nice. Would it be worth it to spend the extra 20$ for the WIFI version? What does it do exactly?

[trt740]

Wow thats a nice feature! I wont have a 45nm by the time I get the board but that is pretty nice. Would it be worth it to spend the extra 20$ for the WIFI version? What does it do exactly?

this is also a very good choice http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130141

[theonetruewill]

trt's on the right track - also, my board, just like trt's, is awesome, never had a single problem with it. Overclocks very well- my chip is the limiting factor in my overclock, not my board.

@trt- would you not agree, however, that the DFI boards (BIOS) are more confusing to the inexpert eye.

[ShadowFold]

Im pretty set on the P5K-E just need to know what the WIFI thing is.

[erocker]

trt's on the right track - also, my board, just like trt's, is awesome, never had a single problem with it. Overclocks very well- my chip is the limiting factor in my overclock, not my board.

@trt- would you not agree, however, that the DFI boards (BIOS) are more confusing to the inexpert eye.

I agree.:) I've had very good luck with Asus boards over the past few years.

[trt740]

trt's on the right track - also, my board, just like trt's, is awesome, never had a single problem with it. Overclocks very well- my chip is the limiting factor in my overclock, not my board.

@trt- would you not agree, however, that the DFI boards (BIOS) are more confusing to the inexpert eye.

Not to sure the Dfi board doesn't have many more tweaks than the Asus does. Also the MSI board is very good aswell and will allow DDr3 for the future and it is well made.

[theonetruewill]

Im pretty set on the P5K-E just need to know what the WIFI thing is.

The wifi - is exactly what it sounds like. Think of it like this, there is a little wireless card soldered to the board in what looks like it could have been alternatively a PCI-E (X1) lane if they had decided to put one there. In effect it gives you a wireless card on the board. Although I personally do not use it- you can use you're own if you don't like it. I prefer my one because I just do :p

On the plus side - my old board could not get my memory past about 880MHz, this board can get it to 1158, thats why I like it.

[trt740]

I would get this board over all of the boards you have listed for the price per performance ratio 124.99 after a rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130141 this little board overclocks like crazy and has 8 phase power like the Asus. It will also take ddr2 and 3 and OC ddr3 as high as 2000 http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=P35_Platinum_Combo&class=mb When it first came out it didn't get great reviews but after bios updates etc it a very very good board.

P35 Platinum Combo


• 12 in.(L) x 9.65 in.(W); ATX
• 4 DIMMs w/ DDR2 1066+ upto 8GB or 2 DIMMs w/DDR3 1066+ upto 4GB
• 2 PCI-E 16X (Operate at 16X + 4X mode) ; 3 PCI-E 1X; 2 PCI; 12USB
• 8 Ch. Audio; Gb LAN; Intel Matrix RAID (0, 1, 5 and 10); IEEE 1394; SATA2; eSATA; ATA133
• MSI Live Update; MSI Dual CoreCell; MSI Dual CoreCenter, CrossFireX; Dynamic Over-clocking Technology




MSI Part No: MS-7338-010




• Key components status hardware monitor.
• Monitor the Dual Core CPU each unit status.
• Optimize System status define.
• Auto speed up with system loading change.

The MSI Live Update online is designed to automatically download and update the BIOS and driver when there's a new version online. It helps reduce the risk of getting the wrong file and minimize the trouble of searching the files from MSI website.

Live Update 3 is a single utility software that automatically checks BIOS, driver and utility updates and installs for you , which can save your time for searching and lower the risk while updating.


CPU
• Supports Intel® Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Duo based processors in LGA775 package.
• Supports Intel® Yorkfield, Wolfdale.
• Supports FSB 1333/1066/800 MHz.


Chipset
Intel® P35 Chipset
• Supports FSB 800/1066/1333MHz

Intel® ICH9R Chipset
• Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0) controller, 480Mb/sec, up to 12 ports
• 4 SATAII with 2 eSATA * ports with transfer rate up to 3Gb/s.
• PCI Master v2.3, I/O APIC.
• ACPI 2.0 compliant.
• Serial ATA RAID 0/1/5/10 by ICH9R.
• Integrated AHCI controller.
*eSATA function would be fully supported by VISTA ( In Box driver with AHCI driver). eSATA function would not be fully supported without AHCI driver under WinXP.


Main Memory
• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 667/800/ 1066 (OC) SDRAM. (Max: 8GB)
• Supports two unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 800/1066 SDRAM. (Max: 4GB)
• Supports dual channel memory architecture.


Slots
• Two PCI Express x16 slots with 1x16 and 1x4 operations (PCI Express Bus SPEC V1.0a compliant; supports CrossFire Technology)
• Two PCI Express x1 slots. (PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a compliant)
• Two 32-bit v2.3 master PCI bus slots.
- Support 3.3v/5v PCI bus interface.


On-Board IDE/SATA
One Ultra DMA 66/100/133 IDE controller integrated in Marvell® 88SE6111
• Supports PIO, Bus Master operation modes
• Can connect up to two Ultra ATA drives

SATAII controller integrated in ICH9R and Marvell® 88SE6111 chipset
• Up to 3Gb/s transfer speed
• Supports four SATAII ports by ICH9R
• Supports AHCI controller with SATA RAID 0/1/0/5/10 by ICH9R
• Supports one SATAII port by 88SE6111


Audio
Chip integrated by Realtek® ALC888/ALC888T
• Flexible 8-channel audio with jack sensing
• Compliant with Azalia 1.0 spec.
• Supports VoIP Card. (only for ALC888T)


LAN
• Supports PCI Express LAN 10-100-1000 Fast Ethernet by Realtek 8111B


IEEE 1394
VIA® 6308P chipset
• Supports up to two 1394 ports (Rear panel x1, front x1)
• Transfer rate is up to 400Mbps


Internal I/O Connectors
• ATX 24-Pin power connector
• ATX 4-pin VGA power connector
• ATX 8-pin 12V power connector
• CPU x 1 / System x 5 FAN connectors
• CD-in connector
• Front panel audio connector
• Front panel connector
• Clear CMOS button
• 1 x SPDIF-out pinheader
• 1 x chasis intrusion connector
• 1 x serial port pinheader
• 3 x USB 2.0 connectors
• 1 x Floppy disk drive connector
• 5 x Serial ATAII connectors
• 1 x ATA133 connector
• 1 x IEEE1394 connector support additional 1 port (optional)
• 2 x H/W OC pinheaders (optional)


Back Panel I/O Ports
• 1 x PS/2 keyboard
• 1 x PS/2 mouse
• 2 x eSATA ports (please refer to Intel website for eSATA function)
• 1 x 6 in 1 audio jack
• 6 x USB 2.0 ports
• 1 x RJ45 LAN jack
• 1 x IEEE1394 port (optional)
• 1 x Optical SPDIF out (optional)


BIOS
• The mainboard BIOS provides "Plug & Play" BIOS which detects the peripheral devices and expansion cards of the board automatically.
• The mainboard provides a Desktop Management Interface(DMI) function which records your mainboard specifications.


Dimensions
12in.(L) x 9.65in.(W) ATX Form Factor

Mounting
9 mounting holes

[trt740]

these are super good ddr2 boards that will overclock to hell and back

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136038 both will reach 500 fsb

[ShadowFold]

I am about to order a ASUS P5K-E. Any objections?

[ShadowFold]

uggh I see that DFI LanParty right next to the P5K-E with its flashy colors and higher review scores :laugh: Im so undecided right now! Everyone is telling me to get the P5K but I want the DFI :banghead: ASUS has DDR2-1066 support and the DFI looks pretty :cry: waah dont know what to do!!

[ShadowFold]

Just ordered the DFI LanParty :)