Thinking of going PII, which motherboard?

My Q6600 is pretty much as far I can go on my current platform, and i7 is way to freakin expensive to switch too. The new PIIs have temped me, but I have no idea which motherboard to get. My only requirements are that it has at least 6 USB ports on the back and have two slots between the first and second PCI-E slots (for crossfire, the extra space really helps keep temps down). I was looking at the Biostar T-Power TA790GX, but it doesn't have crap for USB ports. Thanks for the help with this guys!

EDIT: Since I run with no side panel, please no Gigabyte boards, they are too ugly to even think about getting.

what memory are you running?

Same as in my sig, two of these kits
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231145
I'm only switching out my CPU & motherboard, everything else will be exactly the same

I just bought the M4A79 Deluxe. I have not put my rig together yet, but it looks like a solid board, and from all the reading I have done here, if its anything like the M3A79-T Deluxe then it should be a winner.

The most space between the 2 16x16 crossfire slot is the foxconn A79A-s you can run up to 12 USB ports off the motherboard but you will have to come up with the longer than stock crossfire bright your self . The 2 blue slot are the PCIe 16x slot and you will have a air gap between the double slot cooler cards when running 16x by16x on the foxconn board http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail

I think the DFI DK 790FXB-M2RSH has what you need - it has 2 spaces (but only 1 PCI slot) between PCIe slots 1 & 2 as well as 2 PCI slots between 2 & 3, plus it has 6 rear USB and 6 USB headers for case front USB slots. And it is x16/x16 if you use 2 graphics cards.

My choice would be between M4A79 Dlx (what a name, sounds like a rifle) and the 790FXB.

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Originally Posted by Morais

My choice would be between M4A79 Dlx (what a name, sounds like a rifle) and the 790FXB.

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Get a New M4A_79Tdeluxe,, heehee Ammo not included...it will aim to please with a PHII in its barrell just like its little brother the M3A 79-Tdeluxe.

What's the difference/improvement in the M4A79 versus the M3A79?

There is a review that claims that the MSI DKA790GX Platinum was better than the Asus M4A79. Not sure how right they are though.


"The MSI performed admirably and set a high standard for the Asus which it unfortunately failed to match...Although the Asus M4A79 Deluxe does a decent job and could prove the perfect upgrade path when AM3 Phenom II CPUs come along, it is currently beaten in every department by conventional alternatives like the MSI DKA790GX. "

http://www.trustedreviews.com/mother...4A79-Deluxe/p2

wait for AM3 can't you? :D

the gigabyte AM3 790fx board actually isn't ugly, they got rid of all of the colors except blue and white

but it also isn't out yet. if you want something now, then get the 790fxb- it fills all of the requirements you listed in the first post.

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Originally Posted by reberto

My Q6600 is pretty much as far I can go on my current platform, and i7 is way to freakin expensive to switch too. The new PIIs have temped me, but I have no idea which motherboard to get. My only requirements are that it has at least 6 USB ports on the back and have two slots between the first and second PCI-E slots (for crossfire, the extra space really helps keep temps down). I was looking at the Biostar T-Power TA790GX, but it doesn't have crap for USB ports. Thanks for the help with this guys!

EDIT: Since I run with no side panel, please no Gigabyte boards, they are too ugly to even think about getting.

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gigabytes look like someone barfed up legos

ill have this board monday doesnt look bad to me

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7886/50558217dv1.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/5099/29396295bf8.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8840/31070102ti0.jpg

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Originally Posted by msimax

ill have this board monday doesnt look bad to me

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7886/50558217dv1.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/5099/29396295bf8.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8840/31070102ti0.jpg

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Can I have it when your done :D

it wont look like that it will be bruised and battered

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Originally Posted by iandh

gigabytes look like someone barfed up legos

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That made me LOL :ROTF:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by msimax

ill have this board monday doesnt look bad to me
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7886/50558217dv1.jpg

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Yep, still ugly as hell.

I was thinking of the DFI 790FXM, but I heard that the two floppy power connectors need to be used for crossfire, and there is no way I can have those getting power without my cable management look like crap

:ROTF: oh well

i think the colors are very fresh looking

looks plasticity-like, great for kids pc

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Originally Posted by FoxRacR17

I just bought the M4A79 Deluxe. I have not put my rig together yet, but it looks like a solid board

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Its one of the best board so far (probly a level with msi's Giga board).

NB freq. 3250 from boot up...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2...shot081kk1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Dumo

Its one of the best board so far (probly a level with msi's Giga board).

NB freq. 3250 from boot up...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2...shot081kk1.jpg

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Well thats good to hear, glad I bought a good board. Just out of curiosity, whats the advantage to running the NB so high?

Guys even i am getting the Phenom II .., What's the best motherboard to get for <200$ .. M4A79 DELUXE ?
Or should i wait for the AM3 socket ? .. How much do you guys think will be the benefit of using DDR3 .., Not much point getting an AM3 based Phenon if for 50$ or less i can get an i7 .

Thanks a lot .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by reberto

I was thinking of the DFI 790FXM, but I heard that the two floppy power connectors need to be used for crossfire, and there is no way I can have those getting power without my cable management look like crap

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The manual says:
"The FDD-type power connectors are additional power connectors. If you are using more than one graphics cards, we recommend that you plug a power cable from your power supply unit to the 5V/12V power connector. This will provide more stability to the entire system. The system board will still work even if the additional power connector is not connected."

I am running 2 Radeon 38x0 cards without any FDD connectors but not in Crossfire (as I fold on both cards). No real problems so far but I may connect one or two to see if it improves the problem I had with fans not spinning up!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PhenomII2

Guys even i am getting the Phenom II .., What's the best motherboard to get for <200$ .. M4A79 DELUXE ?
Or should i wait for the AM3 socket ? .. How much do you guys think will be the benefit of using DDR3 .., Not much point getting an AM3 based Phenon if for 50$ or less i can get an i7 .

Thanks a lot .

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http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...newthread&f=58

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Russ_64

The manual says:
"The FDD-type power connectors are additional power connectors. If you are using more than one graphics cards, we recommend that you plug a power cable from your power supply unit to the 5V/12V power connector. This will provide more stability to the entire system. The system board will still work even if the additional power connector is not connected."

I am running 2 Radeon 38x0 cards without any FDD connectors but not in Crossfire (as I fold on both cards). No real problems so far but I may connect one or two to see if it improves the problem I had with fans not spinning up!

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So it one of those "might work, might not" things. I'm starting to think I should just get the T-Power and suffer with 4 USB ports :shrug: