Recommendations for new build

[Bobsled]

My friend wants me to built him a new computer. Any recommendations on a MoBo? I'm looking for solid stability since it will NOT be overclocked. He will use it for graphics and multi-tasking. Only requirements are; must have built-in firewire and support 4GB of RAM. Will run Win XP HE w/ SP2. I have two options for him to chose from, so I'll need a MoBo for each option (same MoBo can serve both options or not).

1) CPU = Q6600 w/ DDR2 (PC2 8500) RAM. Chipset = P965 or P35

2) CPU = QX6850 w/ DDR3 (PC3 10600) RAM. Chipset = wide open.


I realize these two CPUs are miles apart in performance and price BTW.

TIA

 

[Heidfirst]

abit IP35 or Gigabyte P35-DS3P.
You could also throw the Asus P5K into the mix.

If he absolutely won't be overclocking & if future CPU upgrades are out then 975X mobos would also be worth looking at & then again X38 mobos will be upon us soon...

 

[Bobsled]

Thanks for the input. I saw elsewhere the abit IP35 was getting some love. Of the Gigabyte boards, I found out only P35-DQ6 and P35-DS4 have firewire. Only the P35-DQ6 supports DDR2 PC2-8500 RAM where the DS4 supports PC-6400. I'll take a close look at the abit tho.

Option 2 is completely out BTW.

 

[Heidfirst]

DS3P also has firewire, it's just a DS4 with different chipset cooling.
As far as Intel is concerned the chipset only supports upto DDR2 6400 as there is no JEDEC spec for anything higher.
Of course this doesn't mean that the boards won't run it i.e. abit only claim support for DDR2 6400 because that's what Intel do but the IP35 will run RAM way past 800MHz.

 

[Bobsled]

Thanks. I'm favoring the GIGABYTE P35-DS4 because Rev 2.0 is the latest and Newegg sells it (it's advertised as Rev 2.0). Not sure what I'll get when ordering a DS3P as rev is not mentioned.

 

[Vad3r]

Originally posted by: Bobsled
Thanks. I'm favoring the GIGABYTE P35-DS4 because Rev 2.0 is the latest and Newegg sells it (it's advertised as Rev 2.0). Not sure what I'll get when ordering a DS3P as rev is not mentioned.

I have kinda chosen the P35-DS3P (known to work well with Ubuntu). Is there an issue with the old rev of this board that you are avoiding ?.
Gonna have a second look at the DS4. I can't remember why I choose the DS3P over it at the moment.

 

[Ozoneman]

They are practically the same board. See that link below.

http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Pr...px?ProductID=2585,2506