Phenom II 965 MB

[Martimus]

I plan on purchasing a Phenom II 965 within a month or two, and would like to know what the best MB would be to support it. I understand this is a 140W processor, so a cheap MB isn't likely to work.

I have not kept up with the newer chip-sets so I don't know what is the best, or if a new one is on the horizon. I would need a MB that has enough power to run this processor, and hopefully enough to Overclock it as well. I do not need more than one PCI-e x16 slot, although I don't mind getting a second one. Also, I would like the chipset cooling to be quiet or passive (I am tired of hearing the loud weerrrrr from my current chipset heatsink fan).

Any ideas?

 

[Jd007]

This is a great new board that will pair up with a 965 very well.

 

[Rifter]

I would get that one as well, or another one with USB 3.0 and SATA 3. No point in not getting USB 3 support.

 

[c0nfusion]

Hey..why not get the 125W version of the 965? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-727-_-Product

Either way, that's a nice board for it.

 

[soccerballtux]

Hey..why not get the 125W version of the 965? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-727-_-Product

Either way, that's a nice board for it.

That should give you a little more OC headroom.
OP could get this instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-387-_-Product

That's the board I have; save yourself lots of money on both the board and the DDR2 vs DDR3. You don't really need the DDR3...aside from future proofing yourself (you will be able to re-use the DDR3 RAM). Other drawback to my board is both slots run in PCI-e 8x if you use Crossfire.

 

[Jd007]

DDR3 cost about the same ($9 difference) as DDR2 now so why not? If you want to save some money, get the updated, AM3 version of soccerballtux's board. I suggested the more expensive board because you are pairing it with the most expensive AMD CPU.

 

[Martimus]

Thanks guys. I will look into that Gigabyte board. Does anyone know if a new chipset is coming out soon? I don't need to buy it right away, and could easily wait a few months.

 

[Jd007]

AMD 800 series chipset is supposedly on for launch in Q2 2010. Not much info on them yet, except that they will have faster HT. They will also have the same socket, AM3, so all current AM3 CPUs are supported. IMHO not really worth the wait.

 

[lopri]

I understand your desire to mate a very fast CPU with a board that deserve (?) it. Said that it is not prohibitive to use a 780G/785G board with a quad-core CPU. I recently installed a 955 BE on this board for someone else, and the result was very satisfactory. (OC'ed to 3.6GHz using stock cooling and voltages)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131324

Then again, if you're building from scarch, there is no reason to buy DDR2 sticks. I think you're on the right track. 790X/790FX are very performant and their reliability has been proven. 800 series chipsets are rumoured to be out around April~May, but just as any chipset launch I'll be weary of the first wave of products.

 

[brandonwh64]

You should get the 965BE C3 125W that came out! i have one and its great

 

[guskline]

I have a MSI 790FX-GD70 mb and love it. Very solid and an excellent overclocker.

 

[chusteczka]

DDR3 memory with an AMD 785 chipset. IMO, the 790 chipset costs too much for little added benefit. A PCI card can be purchased to support USB 3.0.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I don't see what's the deal with USB 3.0 (or SATA3) at this time.

By the time USB 3.0 actually becomes mainstream it will be more mature and will be a standard feature for all boards, even then the devices will have to be capable of utilizing all that extra bandwidth.

 

[Skandaluz]

I currently have the Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P. Haven't had any problems with it! I like it personally.

 

[heyheybooboo]

AMD 770 chipset


AMD 8xx Chipset coming in April/May




--

 

[Darkrage]

I have a MSI 790FX-GD70 mb and love it. Very solid and an excellent overclocker.

+1 have same board and love it too. was hesitant to get MSI but very high quality board.

 

[Spydermag68]

This is a great new board that will pair up with a 965 very well.

I have the earlier version of this board, GIGABYTE GA-790FX-UD5, and like it. It is my first GIGABYTE board.

If I was buying one today I would go with the upgrade to SATA 3 and USB3.