Need suggestions for a new motherboard

[meh]

Hey guys, I will be building a new PC as soon as the Radeon comes out (X2950 XTX I think?). Anyways, here's what I plan on getting as it is:

- Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3.0Gb/s 80GB 8MB Cache
- OCZ DDR2-800 PC2-6400 Platinum XTC 2GB (2x1024MB) Dual Channel Kit
- Antec TRUEPOWER TRIO 650W TP3 ATX12V 120MM FAN 4 SATA 2 PCIE

Other than that I'll be reusing my Audigy 2 ZS & some older hard IDE hdd's through a PCI IDE controller.

Besides these parts, I have the following criteria: No dual PCI-E 16x needed since I'll only be using 1 video card, if possible 2 IDE slots (though 1 is acceptable), if possible 3 standard PCI slots (though 2 is acceptable), stable and good overclocking ability, and digital audio is preferred but not required.

Based on these critera, what would be an ideal motherboard to get? I was originally going to get the eVGA 680i board, but then since I'm not going to get NVidia anymore, and because I'm not using SLI, not really any point in spending extra $100. I was considering the MSI P965 Platinum & the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 boards, but both have their share of problems, with the lack of good overclocking options being my main concern. Or would that motherboard provide better performance overall, regardless of whether or not I use a NVidia card or SLI?

 

[Sharp]

id look into the msi plat. drop that 2950 and get an 8800 gts for around 200 once price cuts and the 8900 comes out.

 

[JuiceJones]

Don't get the MSI Platinum if you plan on overclocking. I unfortunately lost the link, but can say from personal experience that you will run into trouble past 333Mhz FSB. It doesn't switch "straps" or something like the others do. I was limited to 2.66Ghz on my E6400 with the MSI, switched to the Gigabyte DS3 and instantly went to 3.2 Ghz stable.

 

[Sharp]

? i dont know what personal experience your talking about but i had my old computer with a e6400 stable at 3.2 on that board with a thermalright

 

[rammedstein]

also depends if it is a 975X plat or 965P plat, because my 975X has been clucking awesome when it comes to OC. running 9x400 on it now, i got it to 414x9 then hit a wall, dropped the multi to 8 and could easily do 450.

 

[Newf]

You are the first person I've heard complain that the DS3 has a "lack of good overclocking options".

 

[JuiceJones]

I am referring to the 965 Platinum. Did you get to 3.2 on that board?

 

[rammedstein]

No, i did not get to 3.2Ghz on that board, but i did get to 3.6Ghz on the 975, that is 400mhz FSB, 400Mhz on an e6300 is 2.8ghz, not really flaunting, but the board easily does 450mhz fsb so that is 3150mhz, this is pretty much the realistic everyday user limit for the DS3 also.

 

[meh]

I forget where I read that exactly. Well here's what was said from the latest mobo comparison from this site for example:

Overclocking stability stopped at 337 MHz FSB at the CPU's default x10 multiplier, and we're still at a loss as to why, since lower-cost parts typically pushed this same part to 346 MHz.

I was hoping for higher than that I guess? The thing is I've read mostly good reviews for that motherboard but I've read some that found overclocking to be a slight problem is all. Or it that really not true? I'm just trying to learn for myself here is all.

 

[meh]

id look into the msi plat. drop that 2950 and get an 8800 gts for around 200 once price cuts and the 8900 comes out.

Nah, a friend of mine knows someone who works at ATI. 50% off all cards. Why would I settle for 8800 GTS when I can get the newest and fastest card for almost the same price?

 

[meh]

So which motherboard should I go with then? DS3? Or should I go with something else? Also, do SLI motherboards give improved performance if you don't take advantage of the SLI feature? As in if I used a 680i board but only used one card, would I get any performance difference?

 

[ThunderChunky]

I'm probably going to go with the DFI P965-S for $140. Otherwise the DS3 was my choice. If you are waiting for the Radeon you still have a lot of time to decide. Look at all the options.