Can't Make Up My Mind. Please Help

[LiquidFlame]

I'm really having a hard time making up my mind. It seems that no matter what board I look at they have some kind of flaw. I don't upgrade that frequently so I really want to get the best of the best, but at the same time not paying an arm and a leg for it. I have really only been looking at the 650i and the 680i. The thing that I can't decide on is, I know I will not be overcloking right away, but I would like to have the option if I do decide to. I know you guys have had to go through all these kind of decisions before, so what can you say to me, that would help me make up my mind. Its been a long wait since August for all these manufactures to come out with their products, and I really just want to build my computer soon.

 

[moosey]

I'd say take a look at all the problems people are having with the 680i, it still seems hit or miss. Are you interested in SLI that you'd actually NEED it? If not, there are a lot of good boards on Intel chipsets as well.

 

[maeshughes]

If you want an nForce6 motherboard i would go with the new Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus (replaces the non "Plus" version which used a 680i chipset). This new "Plus" version uses a hybrid chipset that consists of an upgraded 650i northbridge and an nForce5 (from AMD platforms) southbridge. The result is a board that has all the functionality of a 680i chipset (including Dual 16x SLI) but none of the problems of the 680i chipset. This hybrid chipset runs much cooler, is less picky about memory, is much more stable and is even cheaper than the 680i. Also, this board is built using the same PCB as the Striker and uses 100% solid capacitors. Asus calls it the best platform for SLI.

Asus Product Page: http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=495&model=1567&modelmenu=1

Newegg Product Page: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131153 (It's on sale right now for $189.99)

 

[LiquidFlame]

I was thinking about getting the plus, it did seem better. As to your question moosey, I'm not going to be using SLI when I build my computer, but I do want the option in the future if I decide to use SLI

 

[Skott]

Every mobo that has come out has had some problem/flaw or another at the start. Thats something you have to accept. The trick is to find a mobo that has had those problems/flaw fixed, has a way to overcome the problem/flaw, or that its not that big of a deal to you. The more you want to do with the mobo the more problems you will potentially have although not everyone has the same exact problem with each mobo model. It varies alot. Especially on the 680i mobos.

For overclocking purposes the 965 mobos tend to perform better than the 680 mobos and the 650s for the most part and thats including stability. However, as newer 650 & 680 mobos come out they should improve. The 965 mobos are not perfect neither so keep that in mind although as I mentioned they tend to do better and have a bit better stability generally speaking.

 

[superHARD]

marked for later

 

[LiquidFlame]

So I know I keep posting, but after reading a couple of reviews and looking at the specs, the ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus really seems to be the best motherboard. It doesn't have all the bugs and it combines the strength of the 680i and the 650i. It really seems to be the bust bang for your buck. What do you guys think.

 

[Skott]

I havent read any recent reviews lately (because I'm focused on mATX at the moment) but of the early reviews that I did read its supposed to be a really good mobo. You may want to expand your reading/search over to HardForums and Xtremesystems because they have alot of info at their sites concerning this mobo.