recommend mb - for quad core

[Canuck1]

Hello, yes, another 'please recommend' a motherboard thread.

I will try to make it interesting, though!

Here's the deal:
I'm building this system with a Quad core 6600 and 2GB of Crucial RAM.

I have the Thermalright Ultra-120 cpu cooler waiting for the motherboard.

I was considering:
Intel motherboard
Abit IP35
Asus P5K-E

I am concerned about the Asus, though. I should maybe post a thread focusing on the Asus motherboards? I read in various reviews that the Asus boards run hotter than most other boards. Considering I am using a hot-running cpu (it is G0 stepping, however), shouldn't I be concerned or wary of choosing an Asus board? Does the P5K-E fit with the other Asus boards that run a bit hotter or is it not significant?

I like the Abit board since it's a good cheap board which has probably 80% of the 'goodness' that the Pro version has.

I've been recommended the Intel boards since they have good compatibility with Linux which I try to use. I am not sure if they have good P35 boards, though. If they do, how do they compare to the Asus and Abit boards?

Thanks for any insight, advice and recommendations!!!

 

[rubix_1011]

I'm running a P5K-E with the Q6600...works like a dream. And I guess your concern with 'hot' is debatable...if you have a case with decent flow and fans, this shouldn't be a concern.

Good luck.

 

[Canuck1]

Thanks. I have just read reviews on the Asus boards and motherboard comparisons and that many ran hotter than other motherboard brands.

But, perhaps, the newer Asus boards are more comparable in heat/power consumption?

I do like what I've read of the P5K-E so far and it is quite usable for many Linux distros and I would be installing both Windows and Linux in multi-boot configuration.

Anybody else have a recommendation?

 

[Groveling_Wyrm]

I have used the Abit IP35, IP35E, and IP35 Pro, Asus P5K-E and P5k-E Wi/Fi. I would choose the IP35 Pro hands down for ease of use and basic overclocking features. However, for the best overclock with good temps, the P5k-E Wi/Fi was the best. The best overclock without regard to temps was the P5k-E.

I will say that by adding fans to the northbridge chips, I was never worried about my temps with any of these boards.

So, knowing this, feel free to come to your own conclusions. Do let us know what you choose and your results. Good luck!

 

[ZOldDude]

Do you plan on overclocking and if so have you looked at the best...DFI?

 

[Canuck1]

I probably won't overclock. The DFI is hard to find and requires online ordering from out of province that stocks it. Are you thinking of the DFI LANPARTY UT P35-T2R?

Both Asus and Gigabyte boards are easily available and I can find Abit boards at a few places.

 

[cizzi]

I want to run debian/etch linux on a quad core cpu, I want an intel motherboard, any suggestions which one would work with linux and a quad-core cpu?