Which motherboard to choose for upgrade?

Zandramas · 02-27-2008, 07:28 PM

I wanted to choose between two. The intel D975xbx2 or the gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 (rev. 2.1). I have a x6800 core 2 duo, 8800gtx evga, 4 gigs xp2-6400 mushkin ddr2 ram,soundblaster xfi ,pc power & cooling 750watt psu,2 hard drives(1 rapter 75gig & 1 wd 500gig),1 asus dvd rom and 1 plextor 760a burner. I already have bought the gigabyte board but keep debating about the intel board.I have 5 days to decide before I can't return it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

ATINUT · 02-27-2008, 08:24 PM

I would get the the D975XBX2. I just got one this week, and the onboard sound is so good, even with Dolby Surround sound, that you don't need to put a soundcard in the system.

My system is far more stable, since I dumped SLI and the P5N32-E SLI board, I was using, for SLI, which has the NForce 680i chipset on it.

Cogar · 02-28-2008, 11:30 AM

. . . .and I have had good luck with my GA-P35C-DS3R, so I think a Gigabyte board would be a fine choice as well. The point is that either would be a good choice.

ATINUT · 02-28-2008, 12:08 PM

I would do some checking and see if the Gigabyte board, overvolts your memory in anyway, and if it does, I would check with other people, and with Gigabyte just how far out of spec it overvolts your memory.

I ran in to this with an ASUS P5N32-E SLI board, which is no longer in my system, due to it overvolting my memory to 1.9 volts, when manufacturer specs on my memory call for no more than 1.8 to 1.82 volts for my memory.

Sir Skully · 02-28-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cogar

. . . .and I have had good luck with my GA-P35C-DS3R, so I think a Gigabyte board would be a fine choice as well. The point is that either would be a good choice.

Yes I concur, as I now have the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4. Its a good oc'er and a very stable mobo.

Zandramas · 02-29-2008, 09:55 PM

Man it's a tough decision...both have great reviews. I picked up the D975XBX2 last night as I got it for $169.00 just in case.I don't really overclock at all, I just want a stable board. I believe I am going to keep the D975XBX2 and return the gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 board unless some could change my mind by tomorrow

.Thanks for all the input so far!!

ATINUT · 02-29-2008, 10:39 PM

So far the 975XBX2 is really stable for me, and I don't overclock. I have a pile of games to reinstall, and then I'm going to really put it through the paces, playing games like Call Of Duty 2, Quake 4 and many other games.

Sir Skully · 03-01-2008, 12:40 AM

The GA-P35-DS4 dual bios, I had a bad flash. No problem back up bios kicked-in, and all was good. The Intel mobo can't do that little trick.

Also the P35-DS4 has a newer chip set, and is a very good oc'er. More then likely a faster mobo. .

indafastln · 03-26-2008, 01:36 AM

^^ i agree

i've had my p35-ds4 (rev2.0) for a few months now with an e6550 (2.33ghz, 1333fsb, 4mb) and 2gb g.skill value ram strapped to it. i ran it at 2.50-2.60ghz right out of the box. upped things a bit and have been solid at 3.0ghz for a while all on stock air cooling. i know it's no benchmark, but my OCing is just the tip of the iceberg with these parts.

02-27-2008, 07:28 PM	#1
Zandramas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 10	Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? I wanted to choose between two. The intel D975xbx2 or the gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 (rev. 2.1). I have a x6800 core 2 duo, 8800gtx evga, 4 gigs xp2-6400 mushkin ddr2 ram,soundblaster xfi ,pc power & cooling 750watt psu,2 hard drives(1 rapter 75gig & 1 wd 500gig),1 asus dvd rom and 1 plextor 760a burner. I already have bought the gigabyte board but keep debating about the intel board.I have 5 days to decide before I can't return it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
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02-27-2008, 08:24 PM	#2
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,278	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? I would get the the D975XBX2. I just got one this week, and the onboard sound is so good, even with Dolby Surround sound, that you don't need to put a soundcard in the system. My system is far more stable, since I dumped SLI and the P5N32-E SLI board, I was using, for SLI, which has the NForce 680i chipset on it. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) two Sapphire GDDR4 Radeon 3870 videocards HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit with Service Pack 1 Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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02-28-2008, 11:30 AM	#3
Cogar Sleuth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It varies, but usually within 100 yards of a keyboard. Posts: 7,212	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? . . . .and I have had good luck with my GA-P35C-DS3R, so I think a Gigabyte board would be a fine choice as well. The point is that either would be a good choice.
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02-28-2008, 12:08 PM	#4
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,278	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? I would do some checking and see if the Gigabyte board, overvolts your memory in anyway, and if it does, I would check with other people, and with Gigabyte just how far out of spec it overvolts your memory. I ran in to this with an ASUS P5N32-E SLI board, which is no longer in my system, due to it overvolting my memory to 1.9 volts, when manufacturer specs on my memory call for no more than 1.8 to 1.82 volts for my memory. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) two Sapphire GDDR4 Radeon 3870 videocards HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit with Service Pack 1 Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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02-29-2008, 09:55 PM	#6
Zandramas Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 10	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? Man it's a tough decision...both have great reviews. I picked up the D975XBX2 last night as I got it for $169.00 just in case.I don't really overclock at all, I just want a stable board. I believe I am going to keep the D975XBX2 and return the gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 board unless some could change my mind by tomorrow.Thanks for all the input so far!! Last edited by Zandramas : 02-29-2008 at 10:02 PM.
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02-29-2008, 10:39 PM	#7
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,278	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? So far the 975XBX2 is really stable for me, and I don't overclock. I have a pile of games to reinstall, and then I'm going to really put it through the paces, playing games like Call Of Duty 2, Quake 4 and many other games. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) two Sapphire GDDR4 Radeon 3870 videocards HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit with Service Pack 1 Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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03-01-2008, 12:40 AM	#8
Sir Skully ABX KNIGHT EXEMPLAR Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA-GA Posts: 25,929	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? The GA-P35-DS4 dual bios, I had a bad flash. No problem back up bios kicked-in, and all was good. The Intel mobo can't do that little trick. Also the P35-DS4 has a newer chip set, and is a very good oc'er. More then likely a faster mobo. .
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03-26-2008, 01:36 AM	#9
indafastln Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2	Re: Which motherboard to choose for upgrade? ^^ i agree i've had my p35-ds4 (rev2.0) for a few months now with an e6550 (2.33ghz, 1333fsb, 4mb) and 2gb g.skill value ram strapped to it. i ran it at 2.50-2.60ghz right out of the box. upped things a bit and have been solid at 3.0ghz for a while all on stock air cooling. i know it's no benchmark, but my OCing is just the tip of the iceberg with these parts.
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