Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3 vs. GA-EP45-UD3P

[oppermann]

Hi guys!

I'm building a new rig and had decided to get the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard, but I'm not able to get my hands on that atm. So I was thinking about going with the Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3 instead. Can anybody fill me in on the major differences between those two ?

Here are the things I'm gonna combine it with:

- Core 2 Duo E8400 6 MB (Intel Boxed)
- Corsair XMS2 Dominator 2 x 2 GB (1066mhz)
- WD Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS
- Antec Three Hundred
- Club 3D HD 4850 Overclocked Edition (512 MB)
- Chill CP-520A4M PSU

Let me hear what you think 😛

 

[Shadow703793]

1. Swap out the PSU ASAP. That PSU is not good quality.

2. http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_ComparisonSheet.aspx?ProductID=2870,2919

So basically the P45C-DS3 uses DDR3/DDR2. Get the P45-UD3P.

 

[oppermann]

1. Swap out the PSU ASAP. That PSU is not good quality.

2. http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_ComparisonSheet.aspx?ProductID=2870,2919

So basically the P45C-DS3 uses DDR3/DDR2. Get the P45-UD3P.

Hmm, why shouldn't I get the P45C-DS3 when it uses both DDR2 and DDR3 (what makes the P45-UD3P better)? my problem is that I can't get hands on the P45-UD3P, can you recommend any other motherboard that is pretty much like the P45-UD3P then ?

Well, I've heard that the Chill innovation PSU is very silent and stable. What can you recommend then ?

 

[jwl3]

I've got the Ud3p and it works very well, unlike the DS3R which required an immediate BIOS flash before it worked well.

Problem is that the UD3P only allowed me to OC my Q6600 to 2.7 while the DS3R got me to 3.0 without breaking a sweat. This difference may be the chip and not the MB so that's why I don't take points off the MB. It's a great MB with a ton of USB's for a very reasonable price. I'd wait for it if it's not in stock.

 

[jwl3]

The DS3R is the earlier version of the UD3P and has the identical specs except for 2 less SATA ports. (who needs 8 anyway?). Cheaper too. Get that but flash the BIOS immediately.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

There's a lot more differences between the UD3 series and the DS3 series than SATA ports. The UD3 series has additional copper, better cooling, and many other tweaks to make it more durable and a better overclocker. The "UD" in the name stands for Ultra Durable. The UD3 is a much better board and is worth waiting for. If the UD3P version isn't available where you live right now, how about the UD3R? Where do you live by the way?

The boards that run both DDR2 and DDR3 have rightfully gained a reputation as not being very reliable and not overclocking very well. I wouldn't recommend the P45C-DS3 unless it's your only option.

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1.

No. DDR3 is pointless on a C2D based board. For PSU I recommend PC Power & Cooling 610 or Corsair 550VX or better. Take a look in to the EP45-DS3x series.