Help me choose: Intel D975XBX2 vs Asus Commando vs DFI RD600

[Pluppo]

I need a new motherboard, because my Asus P5W DH Deluxe is driving me insane. I have picked out 3, but I keep changing my mind about which one I should get, please help me decide!

This is what I'm plugging into it:
E6600, X1900XT+1950CF in crossfire, 2x 1GB PC6400 cas 4 geil RAM, 1 HDD (but might go for RAID soon).

There is not any particular application or game I'm going to run, I just want the computer to be as efficient and powerfull as possible with the components I have, while being rock stable.

- Intel D975XBX2:
This is the one currently at the top of my list. I've read that it is rock stable, and overclocks pretty well. I like the NB/mosfet heatsinks a lot, the board looks very cool. Two things I don't like with this mobo is the jumper you have to move when you fail an overclock, and the fact that the multiplier is locked for E6600.

- Asus Commando:
This board looks awsome, I really like the little debug LCD in the back as well as the onboard mobo switches. The thing that's scaring me with this mobo is that it's Asus. I'm not happy with the bios on the P5WDHD, and I've read that the commando's bios needs some improvements. I really don't want to just cross my fingers and hope that it gets better. I'm not sure how the P965 chipset will perform compared to the 975X chipset. Some people say the 975X is 5-10% faster.

- DFI RD600:
This mobo looks awsome too. The worst thing about this one is that it's not out yet. I guess I'll have to wait until it's out and see how people's experiences are with it...

Please help me choose!

[GoriLLakoS]

Intel mobo will limit you for sure and you will need to Vmod it for more OC!

Commando?If you plug 2x Ati cards ,each will play X8..it is 965!

DFI looks more prommising from both previous mobos...go for it..!Great fsb!2x16 on CF!Very good scalling on Volts!Wait for a month..:)

[GrimReaper]

Intel mobo will limit you for sure and you will need to Vmod it for more OC!

Commando?If you plug 2x Ati cards ,each will play X8..it is 965!

DFI looks more prommising from both previous mobos...go for it..!Great fsb!2x16 on CF!Very good scalling on Volts!Wait for a month..:)
should be out by Jan 15 ;)

[Pluppo]

Excellent, I'll wait until the RD600 is out and decide then. But I thought that all these three mobo's ran the PCIe slots at x8 bandwidth when in crossfire? Anyways, sounds like a good idea to wait and see :)

Thanks for the advice guys!

[GoriLLakoS]

- Intel D975XBX2:

Two PCI Conventional* bus add-in card connectors (SMBus routed to both PCI Conventional bus add-in card connectors)
One Primary PCI Express* x16 (electrical x16 or x8) bus add-in card connector
One Secondary PCI Express* x16 (electrical x8) bus add-in card connector
One PCI Express* x16 (electrical x4) bus add-in card connector

- Asus Commando:

2 x PCI-E x16 (@ x16 and x4 mode)
4 x PCI 2.2


-LANPARTY UT ICFX3200-T2R/G :

3 PCI Express x16 slots for ATI CrossFire and ATI Physics
2+1 Configuration (2 Graphics + 1 Physics)
- 2 ATI CrossFire graphics cards (each operates at x8 bandwidth).
- 1 ATI Physics graphics card operates at x2 bandwidth.

[Supershanks]

I've been looking for a mobo but am more inclined to go for the commando or the forthcoming AB9 QuadGT (http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=AB9+QuadGT&fMTYPE=LGA775&pPRODINFO=Specifications&fSEARCHTEXT=AB9%20QuadGT) basically abit's 2nd gen 965 similarly specced to commando though will probably be relaesed after commando.

I have been looking long & hard at mobos 4 conroe upgrade Earlier shortlist:) (http://forums.hexus.net/showpost.php?p=956360&postcount=24)
Best looking 680i option atm seems to be Asus P5N32-E SLI, NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI (http://www.xtsit.com/browse/product_details.php?id=11524) decent £ but availabllity is unknown though atm.

i'm looking to upgrade around 15th so will see what's available then.
It's painiong me waiting as i'm building up a pile of components 4 upgrade memory arrived this am CellShock DDR2 1000 (PC8000) 4-4-4-12 2.2v (http://cellshock.flagbit.com/en/products/ddr2/ddr2-1000-cl4.html) saw your post GoriLLakoS DDR2 Compatible with NF chipsets List (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127482&highlight=cellshock)
Supplier couldn't check serial no without opening packaging. i checked this am when i got them their 083586-11025693360 so look to be good to go thanks

EDIT: Well i ordered it today Scan UK - Asus Commando i965, S775 (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=526999) should be here around midddle of next week i'm told. hope in a way it's later in the week as can't afford to get cpu till the 15th, so want to minimise time i have sat looking @ a plie of parts:)

luck:)

[krampak]

Tomorrow i'll recive and Asus Commando, a BadAxe2 and the DFI RD600... i'll have some funny for a week :) If i have enought time i'll post some results here. But I don't know if test them with a retail E6600 or with the QX6700 ES. For overclock purposes the E6600 would be better ? Looks like Core 2 Quad are limiting the chipset FSB ?

I'll test them individually, it's not a comparative but the results will be compared.

[Pluppo]

Tomorrow i'll recive and Asus Commando, a BadAxe2 and the DFI RD600... i'll have some funny for a week :) If i have enought time i'll post some results here. But I don't know if test them with a retail E6600 or with the QX6700 ES. For overclock purposes the E6600 would be better ? Looks like Core 2 Quad are limited by the chipset FSB ?

I'll test them individually, it's not a comparative but the results will be compared.

Very nice!! I still haven't decided yet, so I'm really looking forward to seeing some results :)

[p0tter]

Crossfire is 8x 8x.

Taken from anandtech's review


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c171/wangerin/lanpartychart.png

[jabski]

I've been looking for a mobo but am more inclined to go for the commando or the forthcoming AB9 QuadGT (http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=AB9+QuadGT&fMTYPE=LGA775&pPRODINFO=Specifications&fSEARCHTEXT=AB9%20QuadGT) basically abit's 2nd gen 965 similarly specced to commando though will probably be relaesed after commando.


The abit does look good. If i couldnt wait then the DFI RD600 i would get :cool: