Hi everyone.
Been lurking at this forum for a few years without ever posting, but now I have a little decision to make which I could really use some advice on.
Recently built a new system, consisting of:
- Intel Core Duo E6600 CPU
- 2 X 1 GB OCZ PC2 7200 Platinum XTC SLI-ready DDR2 RAM.
- Corsair CMPSU-620HXEU, 620 W PSU
- Club3D Geforce 8800 GTX GPU
- Asus P5N32-E Plus Motherboard
- Noctua NH-U9F CPU Heatsink + Fan
- Lian Li PC6070B Case (Scandinavian version w/ 3 120 mm silent fans instead of the 90 mm ones)
- Running 64 bit Vista BE, all drivers, utilities and BIOS up to date.
Now, I've been very fond of Asus motherboards last 5 years or so, but this time I am not happy.
As usual, I wanted to do some moderate OCing, but this motherboard just gets so incredibly hot... And not only does it get too hot (even at stock speeds and low load), but I am also displeased with the on-board sound as I get a lot of noise/interference on it.
In additon, not all of the Asus utilities work well with my OS, but that isn't really a huge issue for me.
I think the case shouldn't really be a problem, airflow seems ok (although I am not an expert), and the Noctuna Cooler really does work wonders on my CPU temp. On the other hand, the 8800 GTX seem to add a lot to the heat problem...
Anyway, I managed to get a nasty scratch on the PCB when I had to pry off the adhesive backplate of my previous CPU cooler, a Schyte Katana. Now if I had known that thing would get so incredibly stuck, I would neeeever have used it in the first place, but oh well. Live and learn
I realize a water cooled system, or perhaps another cooling solution for my GPU and/or northbridge/southbridge probably would help, but if possible I really would like to avoid it (this woman, as you probably can tell, is a bit clumsy at times..).
So, I need to get a new motherboard after that little stroke of genius.
Not too sad about it as I wasn't really happy in the first place.
But I am really not sure what I should get.
Yes, I have done my searches and read a zillion reviews of different boards, but I am having such a hard time deciding what to get.
Originally I wanted a 680i board at least, as they are supposed to be the best enthusiast boards at the moment. Guess the non plus version of the P5N32-E (the one with the 680i) probably won't run much cooler than the PLUS one. Perhaps the Striker has some better cooling, but I am not too keen on paying a lot of extra dosh for some bling (fancy LEDs etc). Advice appreciated.
I was thinking maybe the new MSI P6N Diamond would be an option?
Lovely on-board sound, but a bit pricey.
That being said, after reading a few comparisons between 680i, 975X and 965 boards, my doubts increased.
Would I really lose a lot of performance for my particular system by choosing a 975X board like the AW9D-MAX or the MSI 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition instead of a 680i board? Or perhaps even a 965 board like the Asus P5B Deluxe would do?
For the record, I don't plan on getting another 8800 GTX anytime soon, so although having SLI is a plus (just in case), it's not a must. Also, I don't have any IDE devices.
I guess what I'm really asking is, what would be the perfect mobo for me?
Would the extra cost for a 680i really be worth it, and do they all get that hot? I don't mind paying for performance, but there has got to be some real difference, making it worth the extra cost.
If going for a an intel chipset board, would the old flagship, the 975X be the best choice, or will the newer mid-range 965 do (I know it has a nice improved southbridge) ?
Seems the more I read the more confused I get.
I apologize for asking a question that has been asked a thousand times before, but if anyone has some advice about choice of motherboard, better cooling, and experiences with similar systems, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks
Been lurking at this forum for a few years without ever posting, but now I have a little decision to make which I could really use some advice on.
Recently built a new system, consisting of:
- Intel Core Duo E6600 CPU
- 2 X 1 GB OCZ PC2 7200 Platinum XTC SLI-ready DDR2 RAM.
- Corsair CMPSU-620HXEU, 620 W PSU
- Club3D Geforce 8800 GTX GPU
- Asus P5N32-E Plus Motherboard
- Noctua NH-U9F CPU Heatsink + Fan
- Lian Li PC6070B Case (Scandinavian version w/ 3 120 mm silent fans instead of the 90 mm ones)
- Running 64 bit Vista BE, all drivers, utilities and BIOS up to date.
Now, I've been very fond of Asus motherboards last 5 years or so, but this time I am not happy.
As usual, I wanted to do some moderate OCing, but this motherboard just gets so incredibly hot... And not only does it get too hot (even at stock speeds and low load), but I am also displeased with the on-board sound as I get a lot of noise/interference on it.
In additon, not all of the Asus utilities work well with my OS, but that isn't really a huge issue for me.
I think the case shouldn't really be a problem, airflow seems ok (although I am not an expert), and the Noctuna Cooler really does work wonders on my CPU temp. On the other hand, the 8800 GTX seem to add a lot to the heat problem...
Anyway, I managed to get a nasty scratch on the PCB when I had to pry off the adhesive backplate of my previous CPU cooler, a Schyte Katana. Now if I had known that thing would get so incredibly stuck, I would neeeever have used it in the first place, but oh well. Live and learn
I realize a water cooled system, or perhaps another cooling solution for my GPU and/or northbridge/southbridge probably would help, but if possible I really would like to avoid it (this woman, as you probably can tell, is a bit clumsy at times..).
So, I need to get a new motherboard after that little stroke of genius.
Not too sad about it as I wasn't really happy in the first place.
But I am really not sure what I should get.
Yes, I have done my searches and read a zillion reviews of different boards, but I am having such a hard time deciding what to get.
Originally I wanted a 680i board at least, as they are supposed to be the best enthusiast boards at the moment. Guess the non plus version of the P5N32-E (the one with the 680i) probably won't run much cooler than the PLUS one. Perhaps the Striker has some better cooling, but I am not too keen on paying a lot of extra dosh for some bling (fancy LEDs etc). Advice appreciated.
I was thinking maybe the new MSI P6N Diamond would be an option?
Lovely on-board sound, but a bit pricey.
That being said, after reading a few comparisons between 680i, 975X and 965 boards, my doubts increased.
Would I really lose a lot of performance for my particular system by choosing a 975X board like the AW9D-MAX or the MSI 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition instead of a 680i board? Or perhaps even a 965 board like the Asus P5B Deluxe would do?
For the record, I don't plan on getting another 8800 GTX anytime soon, so although having SLI is a plus (just in case), it's not a must. Also, I don't have any IDE devices.
I guess what I'm really asking is, what would be the perfect mobo for me?
Would the extra cost for a 680i really be worth it, and do they all get that hot? I don't mind paying for performance, but there has got to be some real difference, making it worth the extra cost.
If going for a an intel chipset board, would the old flagship, the 975X be the best choice, or will the newer mid-range 965 do (I know it has a nice improved southbridge) ?
Seems the more I read the more confused I get.
I apologize for asking a question that has been asked a thousand times before, but if anyone has some advice about choice of motherboard, better cooling, and experiences with similar systems, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram