X38 or P35 chipset for OC

[relizondo]

Im thinking on getting the following rig:

CPU: Core 2 Duo E6850 (3.0 Ghz Fsb 333mhz)
Video card: BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC2
Ram: DD2-800Mhz 2 X 1GB modules Crusial, Corsair or Patriot at 4-4-4-12 latencies. (Im thinking on OC the memory at DDR2-980 or DDR-1000Mhz to try a 1:1 Ratio with the cpu OC from 333Mhz to 490-500Mhz to run prolly at 4ghz without any sofisticate cooling system.
PSU: Zalman ZM600-HP (600 watts)
Gigabyte Aurora Full tower Case


The Question is which Mobo would be the best fit for this rig using DDR2 memory with Good OC?

1.- Asus Blitz Formula (P35 chipset) (Bus 1333Mhz)
2.- Asus Maximus Formula (x38 chipset) (Bus 1600Mhz)
3.- Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 (x38 chipset) (Bus 1600Mhz)
4.- Any other mobo suggestion is welcome

All 3 motherboard cost around 275-285dlls so is not a big diference and all 3 are DDR2 mobos.

I have been reading all over the place on all 3 mobos but it have become a hard decision and I really would like to see some input.

I know at this time I won't be able to take advantage of PCI express 2.0 500mb bandwith on The X38 chipset or the XMS Memory technology either, Since there's any hardware that support this for now.

However getting a board with Higher FSB support (1600Mhz) prolly higher OC on the newest X38 chipset that have some cool features like adjustable OC BIOS over Windows seems nice to me. Also factory cooling to the NB, SB and Cpu for longer life.

Since the maximus formula just came out I can't find OC results anywhere that's the only reason that is holding me for make a decision.

I found OC results for the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 mobo with an impressive 630 FSB OC that leaves me really confused after reading the Articule Intel X38 Chipset: A Porsche with the Handbrake On ,that claims that the Max OC FSB was 485Mhz on that board which was disapointing compare to other chipsets.

Take a look at this OC on the GA-X38-DQ6

http://www.ocworkbench.com/2007/gigabyte/GA-X38-DQ6/b8.htm


in advance I apreciate your feedback.

Also would like to know if you think that DDR2-800 is fine or should i go for DDR2-1066 for OC purpose?

 

[Scotteq]

Buying one *today* for use with DDR2 RAM, I would go for a P35. Why? For the sole reason that the makers have had the better part of a year to create stable and effective Bios'. But that's because I'm lazy~ish in that I want to hit my target and not have to revisit.



Having said that: Asus has a most excellent reputation, and you couldn't go wrong. That Maximus looks SAWEEEEET!


As far as memory: Do you have a target overclock? Check where the Front Side Bus is going to be set at and plan your memory off of that. IOW: If you're going to be around 400Mhz, then there isn't much point in going faster than DDR2-800 for RAM. If you're planning on much faster than that, then you'll need to buy faster DIMMS...

 

[relizondo]

Buying one *today* for use with DDR2 RAM, I would go for a P35. Why? For the sole reason that the makers have had the better part of a year to create stable and effective Bios'. But that's because I'm lazy~ish in that I want to hit my target and not have to revisit.



Having said that: Asus has a most excellent reputation, and you couldn't go wrong. That Maximus looks SAWEEEEET!


As far as memory: Do you have a target overclock? Check where the Front Side Bus is going to be set at and plan your memory off of that. IOW: If you're going to be around 400Mhz, then there isn't much point in going faster than DDR2-800 for RAM. If you're planning on much faster than that, then you'll need to buy faster DIMMS...

Thanks a lot for your input Scotteq.

I don't really want to spend on cpu water cooling so prolly im going to OC to 500 Mhz FSB using air cooling.
something like this: 500 Mhz X 6 = 3,000 Mhz or 500 X 7 = 3500Mhz or 500 X 8 = 4,000Mhz.

I was thinking that a DDR2-800Mhz could be easy OC to run at 980-1000Mhz to match a 500Mhz FSB on a 1:1 ratio which prolly a good DDR2-800 will do without any problem.

About the X-38 Chipset I know what u mean about brand new Bios (usually lots of issues). But it comes to my attention that 630 FSB OC with the Gigabyte D6 board which is really cool. (The Asus Blitz formula P35 top FSB OC it is 500 from what I read in gaming with asus article)

With the E6850 Core duo I could OC to someting like this (using Gigabyte X-38 board):

FSB 600 X 6 = 3,600Mhz or 600 X 7 = 4,200 Mhz which would be really sweet.

so for a 600 FSB OC maybe I should go with the DDR-1066 for Oc the memory to 600 FSB (DDR2-1200Mhz) to match the CPU 1:1 ratio.

 

[relizondo]

/Bump

you guys believe that the Gigabyte D6 mobo OC to 630 it is real?

 

[Maziar]

Get P35 instead of X38. BLIZT FORMULA is an awesome P35 board ,2 reviews:

http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Asus_Blitz_Formula_and_Extreme_P35_Motherboards/

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=451

 

[LoneEagle]

Do you really think you will be able to push it at 3.5 or even at 4.0 just on air cooling??? Not with the stock cooler. What will be your cooling solution?

 

[relizondo]

Do you really think you will be able to push it at 3.5 or even at 4.0 just on air cooling??? Not with the stock cooler. What will be your cooling solution?

What's up Longeagle.

What do u suggest me?

I was thinking on:

1.-Tunic tower 120 (only issue is that this aftremarket air cooler is HUGE
2.- Zalman CNPS9700NT
3.- G-power cooler Pro

what would be the best Air cooling system for an OC of 3.6-4ghz on air?

 

[relizondo]

/Bump

Think thermal Right Ultra 120 Extreme will do for OC an E6850 3.0Mhz
to 500 FSB X 7 = 3,500 or 500 Fsb X 8 = 4,000 Ghz

 

[Maziar]

u cant say how much u can OC your CPU , but for CPU cooler, go for TUNIQ TOWER, THERMALRIGHT ULTRA 120 , OCZ VINDICATOR, THERMALTAKE BIG TYPHOON....