Help Choosing a Chipset

[Unreality86]

So, I'm upgrading soon to a QX6700 and a 8800GTX and I was recently looking into getting a good mobo.

Currently, I'm deciding between the Asus Commando (P965) and the EVGA A1 Version (680i). I'm not going to do a SLI rig ever, and I'm only getting one hard drive, so RAID performance isn't important to me. I've had great luck with ASUS in the past, but reviews are hailing EVGA right now.

So my question is really, which chipset gives better performance, and which is a more future-proof decision?

Suggestions on other mobos are welcome.

 

[neokill3r]

The p35 is both more future proof (because of penryn support)and better performance wise (0-15% depending on app). The only problem is that since its not actually out yet, its really expensive. But since your getting a qx6700 and a 8800gtx, your probably not concerned about price.

 

[hunter_green32]

ahh, the eVGA 680i board:

Is the nVidia reference design, which means:

All made by a single manufacturer, sold thru five board partners (and direct from nVidia), also has the most mature 680i drivers, and is possibly undercooled from a northbridge perspective if overclocking is your game. If not, cooling is just fine.

This exact identical board can be had from eVGA, BFG, ECS, XFX, and Foxconn, besides direct from nVidia. Probably manufactured in a Foxconn facility, as they are the only manufacturer on that list.

Get the cheapest one, the only difference is the box it came in, and maybe an accesory or two.

It's somewhat amusing that board partners seem to be trying to hide this fact- Pictures of the reference boards are from various angles and rotations on the different board partners websites, but look closely: It's the same beast.

Happy Building.

 

[hunter_green32]

I suppose I should also say something about non-reference board designs.

There are four or five board partners using 680i core logic around their own inhouse mainboard designs: Abit, Asus, DFI, Gigabyte, and MSI.

To me, DFI doesnt count, as they are using the 680i SLI LT in their offering (lanparty UT series board), meaning a lesser version of this chipset.

The two Asus boards are extremely well known, and nothing remarkable. Hardly differing in any signifigant way from a reference board.

Abit's board is little better from a feature perspective, altho the guru panel is kinda neat, maybe (anybody played with that? I havent)

Gigabyte and MSI are top dog here, and be prepared to pay a hefty premuim, as both boards are hard to find, and rather spensive.

Gigabyte's board has the most SATA connectors (ten, I think?) and also quad GB lan onboard. Well cooled, solid state capicitors, the works... a very nice board, perhaps the most feature rich of current 680i SLI boards. The Gigabyte marketing department seemed to be giving out bonuses for working the prefix 'quad' into the features list (now available in a box with QUAD corners on the top and bottom sides!)

MSI's version has two notable features that are rather awesome: Four PCIe 16x lanes that operate in a 16x 8x 8x 8x mode, or 16x 8x 16x (off) mode. Also on the menu is onboard X-Fi (a mainboard first) courtesy of a controller chip by Creative Labs.

I like the Gigabyte board the best out of the bunch. Both Gigabyte and MSI were last to market with these boards, and in my opinion is because both companies have a higher standard on driver and BIOS compatibility issues than the rest of this pack. Development was likely started at all non-reference board partners in the same month, and I bet you there are far fewer problems out of the gate with products from both companies. MSI is a very very close second, on my personal list. Anyone wanting high def audio, say for an HTPC box should choose MSI over Gigabyte, Im thinking.

Happy Building again