Is the XFX nforce 780i a good overclocker ?

[matan_levis]

just as the title says
how is its overclocking abilities compared from the e8400 to the q6600 or the q9300 ?
Is the asus striker 2 formula a better buy ?

 

[halcyon]

Well, its an nVidia reference design. Not that that is bad. I notice little things like they didn't use solid capacitors which seems unforgivable to me in today's market when Gigabyte and Asus are doing so to deliver stronger and more reliable boards.

So to answer your question, I'm not sure but I'd consider a non-reference designed board like the Asus, especially if you're considering longevity for aggressive overclocks:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=13-131-255-06.jpg&Image=13-131-255-03.jpg%2c13-131-255-05.jpg%2c13-131-255-06.jpg%2c13-131-255-07.jpg%2c13-131-255-08.jpg%2c13-131-255-09.jpg%2c13-131-255-10.jpg%2c13-131-255-11.jpg%2c13-131-255-12.jpg%2c13-131-255-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16813131255&Depa=1&Description=ASUS+Striker+II+Formula+ATX+Intel+Motherboard

vs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=13-141-005-05.jpg&Image=13-141-005-10.jpg%2c13-141-005-04.jpg%2c13-141-005-05.jpg%2c13-141-005-06.jpg%2c13-141-005-07.jpg%2c13-141-005-08.jpg%2c13-141-005-09.jpg%2c13-141-005-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16813141005&Depa=1&Description=XFX+MB-N780-ISH9+Intel+Motherboard

Yes, the Asus costs a bit more but it adds a lot of little features and every capacitor you see is solid. I guess if you don't need the board to last for too long it doesn't really matter though.

 

[matan_levis]

well how long do you think the XFX will last with an "average" OCing with it ?

 

[halcyon]

Well, I don't want to purport to have a crystal ball. I think it'd prolly last a good amount of time. Mobos have had gel capacitors for years. ...but there's a reason some manufacturers started using solid caps and I've read articles of about blown gel caps and replacing them.

You should get at least 2 years, and TBH, you'll prolly want a different board by then. I do think you can do better than an nVidia reference design but that's just my opinion.

 

[matan_levis]

ok.
am I going to be happy with a board like the striker II Formula?
good overclocking with it?

I lasted almost 4 years with a p5gd2 board, so I don't think I will get less time with the XFX dont you think ?

 

[halcyon]

ok.
am I going to be happy with a board like the striker II Formula?
good overclocking with it?

I lasted almost 4 years with a p5gd2 board, so I don't think I will get less time with the XFX dont you think ?

Are you kidding? You must be kidding. Right? If I was going to go 780i that'd be the board I'd use to take me there.

 

[matan_levis]

you mean kidding about having that old asus board for that long?

 

[halcyon]

Giving this some more thought, however, do you really want/need SLI? The X38/X48's overclock better and will do 1600 FSB. You'd be limited to crossfire but you'd get better overclocking.

 

[matan_levis]

but future games will need good graphics, and in like 2 years if not less ill get my 2nd/3rd 9800gtx it will be alot faster than many other cards out and it'll be supported by then

 

[matan_levis]

im not the hardcore overclocker, I just overclock a bit
my p4 right now with the stock cooling is at 3.5 from 3.0 even though i didnt mess around with OC at all.

 

[halcyon]

im not the hardcore overclocker, I just overclock a bit
my p4 right now with the stock cooling is at 3.5 from 3.0 even though i didnt mess around with OC at all.

Okay. I just wanted to make sure the 780i was right for you. I put a lof of faith in Asus boards, I've have a good experience with them, albeit that they're a bit more expensive than others.

 

[matan_levis]

thanks alot for the help there man!

 

[halcyon]

no problem, good luck!