Yeah, you're right, but you miss that I've done that (or I thought I've done that) and still have some questions. I guess I at least pass the "how do I pick a mobo" since i've learned what to look for, but without experience I have questions relating to the "am I correct" variety, and also of the "is this that important" type. What I mean is that most reviews tell you all that is good and bad. But I don't know whether having a Sil 3312 chip vs. 3314 vs 3332 is of value or not. There is also the "is this still true" variety, since many reviews of the Gigabyte G1975x mobo were written before Conroe was even out.
Anyway, since you volunteered, answer me these and use them to make a sticky:
Okay, looking to build my first system from the case up. Never done before, but am electronically literate in the general sense. Know a little about computers, but not about overclocking (yet).
So anyway, I'm looking to select the Mobo and want to use the new intel core 2 duo chips (conroe?). Either the e6700 or e6600. Will run in a ultra aluminus case with ultra x2 550w pwr supply. Hoping to use either corsair or ocz memory and 2x western digital raptor drives in a raid 0 array. No idea on video card(s?) yet, but likely the ati 1900 series.
I'm graduating from an older dell dimension 8250 that just doesn't cut it anymore. Namely, I'm processing larger amounts of digi photos than ever before (had a baby girl!), and hope to edit video on the computer (bought a dvd video cam). In addition, who doesn't like a little gaming once in a while and the current generation of games just doesn't look any better than the last generation of games, so I must've hit a wall with the Dell system (including a videocard upgrade abotu a year ago)?
Okay, so as far as I can figure it out, the mobos go something like this: the 975x chipset is only being paired with the ICH7R southrbidge right now, while the p965 or g965 is being paired with either ICH7R or ICH8R. So first, is the only (significant) difference between the ICH7R and 8R being more usb/firewires? This may not be a big deal, but is handy.
Next, regarding the difference between the p965 and g965, is the only (significant) difference between the two that the "G" series has on board video and maybe a native video coding software thing built-in? Or are there other differences? No one has answered whether the G965 will perform same/better/worse than P965 once the onboard video is disabled thru use of a video card.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is whether the difference btween the 975 and 965 that the 975 supports Crossfire (or generically, dual PCI express video), while the 965 is a single video card? I mean I realize that they're different in more than just crossfire, but for a Noob who can't digest the nuances yet, is the basic difference the crossfire support? I know, some 965 cards have dual PCIexpress, but the ability to do dual video on a 965 card would be a hack, right? It seems the 975's purpose is for dual video card support, but I've read (without further explanation in those articles), that the 975x might have an edge in mathmatics and 2D processing, which is a lot of what I'd do.
I ask since I was going to go with the intel 975 badaxe mobo, but since then I am wondering. Wondering, first, to get a asus/abit/gigiabyte 975 mobo to try my hand at overclocking. Then since there doesn't seem to be as much development in the 975 mobos as in the 965 mobos, the 965's are looking better. A little cheaper and yes, I give up crossfire, but not sure I need it, or do I? Also, the 965 boards seem to be more "fleshed-out" and better support in the forums. I mean there's a handful of 975 boards, but a dozen or so of the 965 boards.
More doesn't make better, but it does say something - I'm just trying to figure out what its saying!
In particular, looking at the gigabyte GA-965P-dq6 mobo due to the 12 phase power for future quad core abilities, together with e6600. Of course Greenjelly's post elsewhere suggests the 975x chipset may be better suited to quad cores? Maybe I should just go with the rather straightforward Intel D975xbx mobo. I've read it can be overclocked within the chip's multiplier (don't think the multiplier can be unlocked), and I think I'd simply run a "safe" oc, of setting the fsb at 333 and use the 6600's 9x mult for a 2997mhz. But maybe this isn't so safe? Can someone help with whether oc'ing is easier or more difficult with the intel?
I'm very curious about (limited or moderate) overclocking, but realize since this is my first build and my wife will also use the computer, that perhaps I'd better play it safe and stick with an intel mobo? She may freak (as will I) if this thing keeps crashing.
any help appreciated, got the case, power supply, fans, cpu cooler, etc, looking to make a mobo choice so I can grab the memory and cpu and put her all together.
Curt J.
but, I guess its words well taken since some of the stuff was "down there", although not really answers and instead confirmation of the remaining question: is that the difference b/w x and y.
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