Going C2D in a few weeks - Should I just buy a ASUS P5B-E Now?

[ClockerXP]

I was thinking of using a ASUS P5B-E for my first C2D system.

Should I pick a ASUS P5B-E up or will there be something coming in the next month I should wait for? I need Firewire onboard but not SLI.

I'm going to pick up a C2D processor to overclock in a few weeks after the Intel price drop. I already have some DDR2 800 RAM.

I do NOT need SLI.

Thanks,
CxP

 

[ClockerXP]

Anyone?

 

[Shimmishim]

DFI 965-S Dark is a good choice as well.

It just came out a few days ago.

 

[n7]

P5N-E SLI

I'm not recommending it because of SLI.
But it's a good cheaper OCing mobo, with better RAM voltage/tweaking options than the P5B-E (though the P5B-E is good).

 

[najames]

Worse case scenario, with header pins for front case port too. $10. I bought 2 of 'em, untested with Linux. WInXP SP2 used for testing identified it w/o any drivers.

CON: pins are perpendicular to the board so you might have to mount so the pins don't face any other cards. I just used an end slot on my mATX board and all is hunky dory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815124034

 

[EmilG]

If you plan on doing any oc'ing make sure you get the 1.02 rev., it allows higher than 2.1v memory voltage.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago from Newegg and still got the older 1.01 rev and of course my memory needs over 2.1v to go over 800mhz so I'm stuck.

 

[sofarfrome]

I know it is early but I see a lot of posts on several sites where the 650i and 680i chipsets are dying. There could be many reasons why but without knowing what they are I would be hesitant about any nVidia chipset board (650-680). The DFI Infinity Dark-S is supposed to be awesome and has many bios tweaking features. You won't have to worry about not getting enough vcore or vdimm and the vdroop is very good compared to an unmodded Asus. They are $152 shipped from eWiz right now.

Mine is due here in a couple of days and frankly I have been holding off buying any new board until now. My trusty Biostar 965PT has held up well, now it is time to really push this CPU with the DFI.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: EmilG
If you plan on doing any oc'ing make sure you get the 1.02 rev., it allows higher than 2.1v memory voltage.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago from Newegg and still got the older 1.01 rev and of course my memory needs over 2.1v to go over 800mhz so I'm stuck.

It's odd how newegg got another batch of 1.01's after shipping the 1.02's for quite awhile I got a 1.02g from newegg back in february.

 

[imported_yes]

I had similar question & few replies even after bumping it. Hope you get more answers.

In no order of preference: Abit QuadGT, Abit AW9D-MAX, Gigabyte 965P-DQ6, Intel BX2, 680i A1/T1. Please see Gary's reviews on MB section of the site. A lot is packed in them, so you might need to do some careful reading.

 

[EmilG]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: EmilG
If you plan on doing any oc'ing make sure you get the 1.02 rev., it allows higher than 2.1v memory voltage.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago from Newegg and still got the older 1.01 rev and of course my memory needs over 2.1v to go over 800mhz so I'm stuck.

It's odd how newegg got another batch of 1.01's after shipping the 1.02's for quite awhile I got a 1.02g from newegg back in february.

I can't figure it either, but oh well. I'm looking for someone to do a PS mod to boost it up a few .1's. (or else just a schematic of the PS section)

 

[imported_Husky55]

Originally posted by: EmilG
If you plan on doing any oc'ing make sure you get the 1.02 rev., it allows higher than 2.1v memory voltage.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago from Newegg and still got the older 1.01 rev and of course my memory needs over 2.1v to go over 800mhz so I'm stuck.

I also got an old 1.01 G version shipped from Newegg NJ warehouse the last couple weeks.

No VDimm above 2.1V unless you mod the MB. The mod is difficult because of the very small size of the connectors.

 

[EmilG]

From what I've gathered so far the mod is relatively simple, one pin of an IC through a pot to ground. I work with SMT stuff so the mod should not be too bad, just need a magnifying glass!

 

[ClockerXP]

Seems like lots of people are having success with the 3,3 DS3's so maybe I'll just get one of those with a firewire PCI card. Although, that DFI 965-S looks interesting...

 

[GimpyFuzznut]

I'd personally avoid a DS3. I freakin' hate this motherboard. It really has a lot of #$@#$#@ annoying issues when it comes to overclocking (maybe depending on your C2D chip, have a 4300 here). Many people have the cold boot issue - after your system being perfectly stable for many hours, you shut down. When you try to boot again, the system just tries to power up again and again until all your overclocked settings are erased and it reverts to defaults. Then even going back to the same settings that you were perfectly stable at before results in instability! God damn motherboard is really annoying with all types of stupid quirks like that! Its too late for me to change but I would of much rather gone with another 965 mobo.

 

[ClockerXP]

Originally posted by: GimpyFuzznut
I'd personally avoid a DS3. I freakin' hate this motherboard. It really has a lot of #$@#$#@ annoying issues when it comes to overclocking (maybe depending on your C2D chip, have a 4300 here). Many people have the cold boot issue - after your system being perfectly stable for many hours, you shut down. When you try to boot again, the system just tries to power up again and again until all your overclocked settings are erased and it reverts to defaults. Then even going back to the same settings that you were perfectly stable at before results in instability! God damn motherboard is really annoying with all types of stupid quirks like that! Its too late for me to change but I would of much rather gone with another 965 mobo.

Just wondering, do you have Rev. 3.3?

CxP

 

[GimpyFuzznut]

Yup ; that's with a brand new 3.3. The thing is these are pretty common problems that alot of people seem to be having. While the board is great if you run at stock; it is really frustrating to overclock. There's all types of other annoying issues I've had with it which is why I just wouldn't recommend the board. That new DFI 965 looks really nice; otherwise I would go with ASUS.

 

[ClockerXP]

I think I'll give that DFI a try then. Thanks for the info!

CxP

 

[sheltem]

Originally posted by: GimpyFuzznut
Yup ; that's with a brand new 3.3. The thing is these are pretty common problems that alot of people seem to be having. While the board is great if you run at stock; it is really frustrating to overclock. There's all types of other annoying issues I've had with it which is why I just wouldn't recommend the board. That new DFI 965 looks really nice; otherwise I would go with ASUS.

I just bought the DS3 rev 3.3 and the board would simply not overclock. If attempt increase my e4300 past stock would result in the system not posting. Plus the cmos reset is blocked if you have a dual-slot video card. I just bought the Asus P5B-E from Newegg. I like how it has e-sata.

 

[Edge1]

Originally posted by: sofarfrome
I know it is early but I see a lot of posts on several sites where the 650i and 680i chipsets are dying.

Huh? Got any links there pal? A lot of boards die (any chipset) due to operator error. I have heard RAM has been getting fried by some 680i boards apparently, but I think that might be if voltage is placed on "Auto", but not sure.

I was gonna suggest a 650i board such as this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130082

but sounds like you don't want one of those (firewire, 2 IDE channels). Cjeck the reviews for that and the Platinum version. Or an Asus 650i board if you're deadset on them. Gigabyte's got one out now too.

Check the reviews. I follow some serious P6N threads closely and don't recall anyone's board dying. One guy had his crap out but he was an OCing fiend who wasn't shy with voltages.