Best Intel Motherboard?

[Inverter]

I'm a AMD dude but thought I would ask if there is any motherboards that you extremest like that support the Intel 2.8. I've been looking at Abit and the Epox. Any suggestions? I want something that's upgradable to the 3.0+. I also want a motherboard that I can tweak to the max OC.

[MadMax]

The Epox 4PEA+ and Abit IT7 Max 2 Ver 2.0 are both excellent boards that are hugley tweakable. I have the Epox and love it :)

[Wimo]

And, which cpu should I get? The 400 or the 533 fsb one...

2.4 400/533
4pea
512 pc3500 corsair

[MadMax]

533

[Inverter]

Do you know if the 4PEA+ supports the Intel 2.8?

Already checked site and doesn't have good information on the UK side.

[MadMax]

Yep, it's the 845PE chipset so will support eveyrthing up to the 3.06 and more.

[MadMax]

And further to your question Wimo - if you get the 400MHz chip and overclock it to 133mhz (you'd need the Prommie or something for that) it'll be up to 3192MHz, but your RAM will only be running at 177 (354DDR - 3:4 CPU:RAM).

The same sort of overclock on the 133FSB chip - if you get it up to 3192 you'll have the FSB at 177 (18*177), with the RAM at 221 (442DDR - 4:5 CPU:RAM). The extra memory bandwidth will give you a HUGE performance increase. The lower multiplier also gives you more room to work with.

[Inverter]

Just ordered the Epox 4PEA+. Yea know, I haven't had any problems with the Epox or Abit yet. The Epox so far has been one of my best motherboards out of 50+ I've tried.

I've checked out the specs on the Epox 4PEA+ and it's a fine board.

Thanks for the suggestions and information. I didn't know much about Intel boards only AMD :). I'll receive it next week sometime, maybe Wednesday. :toast:

I checked out the Gigabyte GA-8INXP but the price was $240+. To much for me.

[MadMax]

This is my first step into Intel territory since my old Celeron 400 and 500. I'm having so much more fun with this system than I did with the two AMD ones I had running. I'm sure you'll love the board :D

Let us know how well it overclocks for ya :D

I paid NZ360 for mine (US180). Considering that the IT7 Max2 V2.0 costs 510 down here (US 255), it seemed like a bloody good choice and it's definitely my fav. piece of hardware I've bought so far :)

[Inverter]

Just wondering what would be the best cooling solution for the Intel 2.8? Checking some reviews but I want the best air cooling to OC.

I really like my SK7 w/80mm.

[MadMax]

Alpha 8942 and Swiftech MX4000 I believe are the two best

[Inverter]

What do people think about the Thermalright AX-478 w/80mm?

[Inverter]

The Swiftech MX4000 is hard to find. Where would I get this from?

[MadMax]

I wouldn't have a clue :)

I'm New Zealand right now and it's impossible to get down here.

[Ragnarok]

well madmax :) if u really desperate u can get one from www.pcca.com.au in Aus and get it send to NZ :)

[Wimo]

Originally posted by MadMax
And further to your question Wimo - if you get the 400MHz chip and overclock it to 133mhz (you'd need the Prommie or something for that) it'll be up to 3192MHz, but your RAM will only be running at 177 (354DDR - 3:4 CPU:RAM).

The same sort of overclock on the 133FSB chip - if you get it up to 3192 you'll have the FSB at 177 (18*177), with the RAM at 221 (442DDR - 4:5 CPU:RAM). The extra memory bandwidth will give you a HUGE performance increase. The lower multiplier also gives you more room to work with.

THanks for the advice, I think the 2.4 (533) is the best solution for me. I'm going to cool it with the prometeia in a few months.. hopefully I can get past the 3ghz without the prom :)

[MadMax]

Cheers Ragnorak. I'm back in Adelaide mid-February so I'll look into it then :)

Still looking at the Vapochill and Prometia though :p

[Wimo]

Another thing, I can 'test' some cpu's at work.. but, since i'm not allowed to do that it can only be done undercover :)

So, I can get a p4pe + 2.4 p4 (They have about 100 cpu's over there) to test a cpu... however, I can't use a hd/fdd so i'll have to decide which cpu I'm choosing purely on the fact if it will boot at nice speeds with default voltage.

So, since i'm looking for a nice cpu, at which point do I know I have a 'golden' cpu? I hope you guys understand this question since my english isn't as good as my dutch ;)

[Tedinde]

Can i vote for my th7II @ 195 fsb with a 1.6a??

[MadMax]

No, no you can't :p

[Tedinde]

Your right, a recent MB should be picked, even though. I've tried them all. and i still end up putting a TH7II back in every time because it's faster, and i can get the High fsb speeds i need.

I tried ddr boards running them @ 450ddr, 180x 4:5 and still ended up being slower Than my TH7II's rdram @ the same 180fsbx3 in 3dmark.

Maybe if my dam ASUS GB board ever ships i've been waiting on for a month it can change my mind!!! Till then TH7II has my vote.

[Madmanmc]

a i have a msi 845pe max 2 and a 2.53 c1 and i can get 3.03
on it with a cheap cooler master heat sink love it

[Raptor]

Tedinde, because of you, i just got my TH7-2 back on tracks!!! :)

(it was macci's Th7-2...) :P

what Bios are you using?

[Aaron]

I was strongly considering a granite pay (that was originaly a typo but then I realized it was pretty fitting) board, but they are as yet unproven. I ended up odering the IT7 MAX 2 becuase I've never heard a bad thing about it (execpt the voltage setting addressed in the new bios). Should be here on monday.


Aaron

[piercedandtatto]

Originally posted by Inverter
The Swiftech MX4000 is hard to find. Where would I get this from?

you can get one here (http://www.bestbyte.net/Category.cfm?CategoryID=6&Keyword=) for 42 bucks. Mine should be delivered tomarrow along with a vantec tornado for 13 bucks. Thats about the cheapest ive seen them anywhere.

[Inverter]

Been testing my new 4PEA+ and got 3.53 w/MCX4000 at 37. Epox kicks butt! The Swiftech is awesome. It keeps my CPU cool :toast: .. MSI = $153.5 Epox $98

Thanks to people from Xtremesystems I didn't go wrong.

Originally posted by Madmanmc
a i have a msi 845pe max 2 and a 2.53 c1 and i can get 3.03
on it with a cheap cooler master heat sink love it

[ricksimm]

Can you tell me which fan you are using on the MCX4000? Thanks.

[piercedandtatto]

Originally posted by Inverter
Been testing my new 4PEA+ and got 3.53 w/MCX4000 at 37. Epox kicks butt! The Swiftech is awesome. It keeps my CPU cool :toast: .. MSI = $153.5 Epox $98

Thanks to people from Xtremesystems I didn't go wrong.

good job:toast: :toast:

[deeznuts]

tedinde, you and your TH7-II lol! mobo hall of fame.

Inverter, congrats on your overclock. i finally got a hold of my own wonderchip, took 4 cpu's to get to. C1 week 48, costa. doing 3.06GHz right now with default everything (except FSB of course ;) ). sitting at 46c under load. not too shabby with retail cooler. gonna see how far it gets at default vcore.

i have a watercooler but am hesitant to slap it on there, dont' know if it is even worth it. thinking about getting a nice air cooler and putting the water on the shelf for now. it'll only take me a minute to set it up, but debating the benefits. man i want to slap this CPU in a prommy or vapo right now.

oh yeah, i have the 4PEA+ as well. great, great, great board. only epox to dissapoint me was the 8RDA i had, but only because it was giving my vid capture card a hissy fit. so far Epox has been good for me.



EDIT: got a question that's always bugged me. in the bios there is the setting for "AGP Aperture" and default is always 64mb. what should this be set to? my card is 9700 non-pro with 128mb.

[Tedinde]

Deeznut's

I keep trying and trying DDR boards and just too dam much work and not as stable.

I can stand my epox 850g board i put my old 1.6a in @ 2.9ghz, clocks nice, no hastles. Still going strong after on year yesterday @ 1.93 volts!!!!!!! Folding 24/7 watercooled Screw intel and their 1.7 limit hahahaha.

I've put it in my vapo and got 3120mhz out of it 195fsb, I just cant get that dam 100% overclock. even with 2.1 volts.

Luckely my 2.8 loves 1.68 or i would be cooking her too. More volts did nothing for it.

I had 2 1.8a's last week that would do 3.1ghz on air BO stepping with a pack date of last month.


And Deeznut's 46C under load with a factory sink, you must be outside in the cold!!!! Nice

[deeznuts]

Originally posted by Tedinde


And Deeznut's 46C under load with a factory sink, you must be outside in the cold!!!! Nice


naw, just regular san diego weather. of course my case side's are off since i work on my machine constantly. but it took 3 seatings of HSF to get that perfect contact. prior installations netted 55-60c under full load.