Looking for some assistance... -- Easy Question

[Havoc13]

I saw this package at Frys and it seemed like a great price:

Combo deal at Fry's B&M, thru Oct. 30:
Intel Q6600 CPU & ECS 671T-M motherboard for $268.99
SiS 671 chipset motherboard is designed only for DDR2 667/533/400; includes onboard video and PCIe video slot.

I would like to upgrade the motherboard to something better but I haven't followed things in quite awhile. I will either be using 667 (I have 4 gigs now) or 800 (if it's suggested) memory and a ATI PCI-E video card. I don't have any plans on overclocking.

Any advice as what motherboard at Frys would be a good upgrade will be greatly appreciated.

Link to Frys 775 motherboards

 

[o1die]

I would ebay the ecs board, as it doesn't even support the q6600. Go with the abit ip35-e (about $70 after rebate at newegg or mwave) if you don't need sli. The Fry's q6600 will likely be the older b stepping, not the newer "go", but you can ask the clerk to look for "slacr" on the serial number, which is "go". They may have some. Use your 667 memory. The abit board should have built in dividers for the memory, which makes overclocking easier. If you want a "go", clubit had some for $272 last weekend without the heatsink. Newegg had some arctic freezer 64 heatsinks for only $12 shipped in the open box section, but they're likely sold out.

 

[Havoc13]

Thank you for all the information!

From what I know Fry's will give you "credit" if you want to upgrade the mobo, so I will keep my eye out for that abit board and have the clerk look for slacr in the serial #.