Intel X48 or nForce 790i...Which chipset would you choose and why?

[sonofarita]

I am building a new systems around my Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 and I am haveing trouble deciding which route to take as far as my motherboard goes. If I go with an X48 chipset aren't I locked in to using ATI cards if I decide to go multiple GPUs? Also the contrary, if I go with an nForce 790i chipset aren't I locked in to using nVidia cards if I decide to go multiple GPUs? So my overall question would be, between the X48 or nForce 790i chipsets, which chipset would you choose and why?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[homerdog]

You've answered your own question. If you're going to use ATI cards get the X48. For Nvidia cards get the 790i.

Just in case you haven't heard, ATI's next series of high end cards should be coming out soon and they will likely be fast. Nvidia is supposed to have something coming up as well, but we don't know very much about that.

 

[halcyon]

Well, I've heard the Intel chipset overclock the intel processors better than the nVidia chipsets do. ...speaking from personal experience I've got an mobo with an X48 and it does indeed overclock nicely...but that could be Asus' fault.

 

[sonofarita]

Well then what advantages does one see by going with one or the other? I am looking for opinions here. Either way I decide to go, I am not going to have a problem with performance. I did however see the ATI is about to launch a newer 4800 series card.

Second scenario is that I do not even run SLI or CroffFire. I need to decide which way to go at that point.

 

[Andrius]

With all the issues plaguing NVIDIA chipsets I'd never buy a 790i/780i.
NVIDIA has the graphics lead but I don't think SLI is worth the data corruptions risk.
X48 is just a binned X38 so I'd never buy that either (X38 is a good choice).
Between the two for my primary computer I'd pick X48.

 

[homerdog]

With all the issues plaguing NVIDIA chipsets I'd never buy a 790i/780i.
NVIDIA has the graphics lead but I don't think SLI is worth the data corruptions risk.
X48 is just a binned X38 so I'd never buy that either (X38 is a good choice).
Between the two for my primary computer I'd pick X48.

I probably would too given that my next GPU will almost certainly be a 4870. I'm anxious to give the red team (or perhaps the other green team now) another try.

 

[harmattan]

If 780i has similar design and software issues than 680i, which I think it does, definitely go x38/48. I have been through two 680i's: both have been a nightmare and have mediocre OC-ability.

Consider the new 4870 is right around the corner and looks to be the first real step in performance for a year+, x38/48 looks even better.

 

[halcyon]

If 780i has similar design and software issues than 680i, which I think it does, definitely go x38/48. I have been through two 680i's: both have been a nightmare and have mediocre OC-ability.

Consider the new 4870 is right around the corner and looks to be the first real step in performance for a year+, x38/48 looks even better.

I have an Asus Striker Extreme (680i) that I recently upgraded from. It ran a Xeon 3060 and E6850 quite well. ...but if you're in the market for a new board I'd go with a X38/X48 as I've read the intel processors like them better than the 780i/790i chipsets.

 

[dagger]

780i/790i overclocks as well as p35 chipset, which is actually not bad. But it's no x38/48.