Going to dark side: need info on good low priced intel mbs

[johnspack]

I'd like to find a decent p45 or x38, hope I'm getting that right, to run an e8400 or e8500 and oc it well. I'd prefer asus with heat pipe cooling, but if I hear another mobo could be better and run cooler for longer, I'll listen. I've used non-intel mobos and cpus religiously for over 17 years, so I need a little help with this.... My 280gtx is crying for help with my current athlon, so it's time. And please keep mobo suggestions under $200. And yes I know I'll have to upgrade my ram quickly.

 

[erocker]

Someone is selling an Asus Maximus formula on this forum for $140 right now. That is a heck of a deal, and honestly all you're going to need for an awesome upgrade. Well, besides the processor of course. Heck, if you really want to keep it below budget, the E7200/7300's are the way to go! My E7200 does 4ghz on air with good temps at 1.38v's.

 

[johnspack]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q Pro&manufacture=ASUS
Is this the p45 I can use the modded bios for? And it would take a week for me to xfer funds to paypal...

 

[erocker]

That's the one.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Asus P5Q Pro is also a looker and new E0 stepping e8400's are pretty nice. As far as ram is concerned, what are your current settings?

 

[johnspack]

My ram will do 1000 stable, thats it...

 

[erocker]

At what timings?

 

[johnspack]

5-5-5-12, it's not very hi end ram
it'll do 4-4-4-12 at 800-900ish...
i need a set of 4gb 1066 corsair dominators, that's what I'm aiming for

 

[erocker]

It's plenty good for now though. I'm sure you could eek out some more with 5 5-5-18 timings if you had to. Either way, with the divider, you should take the processor where it needs to go.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Mine do 1020 5-5-5-18 MAX stable @ 2.2v. I beleive your ram will be fine.

 

[johnspack]

Man, I'm gonna have to rebuild my raid array too, arrrrg!

 

[johnspack]

Oh, and any suggestions for heatsinks.. think I lost my mounting hardware for lga775 for my zalman...?
edit: decided on the e8500 if i get the funds.. think I sold my old 9800gtx, so should have the funds!

 

[johnspack]

It's probably going to take a month to finish my intel build, I can't get both cpu and mobo at same time. Should I get an e8500 right now or the mobo first? I'm also worried the new e0 stepping isn't as good as the c0, and if I order now I'd probably get old stock. I want nice numbers with this thing at 4ghz!

 

[JrRacinFan]

Best bet would be to get motherboard first. If your really feeling anxious to get it up and running can always grab up an e1400 at the same time.

PS: Helpful tip, 2 best things to shop for first is the motherboard and power supply.

 

[JC316]

Careful with the P5Q or any P45 as the memory has issues. I finally got mine running right with some G.Skill ram and Kets bios.

 

[johnspack]

I was planning on using ket's bios right away, but I'm on a budget now so I'll just buy the e84 or 500, I don't need a spare low end intel cpu.. I got my athlon for stuff like that! Oh and notice I've got the corsair tx750? should be enough amps for this thing.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Pfft ...

The Corsair would be more than plenty. I am with you right there though, the P5Q is pretty nice and tbh I was thinking the whole time you were going with a whole new rig vs the upgrade route.

 

[zithe]

Get a Foxconn.

Honestly. I've never had any trouble with them. Avoid the cheap ECS p45 unless you want to wait a while for a BIOS. It sucks at overclocking.

 

[Kwod]

http://www.gamedude.com.au/prod_show.php?art_no=mbASp5q


ASUS P5Q Intel P45 Express FSB 1600Mhz Dual-channel DDR2 1200Mhz 8 Ch. HD Audio EXPRESS GATE
Item Code mbASp5q
.
* Intel LGA775 Platform
* Intel® P45 chipset
* ASUS 8-phase Power Design
* Dual-channel DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 MHz
* 100% Japan-made high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors
* ASUS EPU-6 Engine
* ASUS Express Gate
* ASUS Drive Xpert




What do you guys think of this mobo for 2 gig DDR 800-1066+4850+e7200-e8400?

 

[Cold Storm]

It's a ok board, but the pro is of better for the buck...If you can get a board with a modded bios, then you got somethign that can wow yourself....
IMHO

 

[Kwod]

ASUS P5Q-PRO Intel P45 FSB1600Mhz Dual Channel DDR2 1200Mhz EXPRESS GATE 8 Channel HD Audio

This one?

You mean I can overclock better with the pro?

 

[Cold Storm]

The pro would be better because of the fact that ketxxx, our fellow bios modder, has been able to open up the bios to that board. That means, your able to do more of what that board is able to do.. The only thing about that is, its a modded bios, so you void warr. right there.. But, Asus has been allowing people to send their max board in with the rampage bios... Two on Xtreme have had theirs sent in for RMA...

 

[Kwod]

I see.
One last thing.........do you think there's much of a gain between 800 and 1066 ram on these type of mobo's?

 

[Cold Storm]

That's only the memory standard.. Meaning, when you have it set on Auto, in bios, the ram will all ways be set there... That's the ram timming that is all ways started after you clear cmos, or have a bad oc to the board...
So, if you have my Axe ram, that is stated at 1200, the board will boot at the first time only at 800... Then you have to oc it to get it to 1200...

 

[Kwod]

That's only the memory standard.. Meaning, when you have it set on Auto, in bios, the ram will all ways be set there... That's the ram timming that is all ways started after you clear cmos, or have a bad oc to the board...
So, if you have my Axe ram, that is stated at 1200, the board will boot at the first time only at 800... Then you have to oc it to get it to 1200...

Cold Storm.......do you think this mobo "ASUS P5Q-PRO Intel P45" is okay to run a Q9550?