Best overclocking board within reason?

[Sly Fox]

(System in signature).

As soon as I've fully finished the shipping off of a couple 3870's I'm planning on upgrading my motherboard from the P5KC. It's honestly pretty terrible for overclocking.

A full .12v vdroop just kills my CPU's clock and makes it run too warm idle (about 42 degrees coretemp *hottest core). In addition, the bios updates are abominable and Asus seems to just pretend they never made this board. Frankly, I'm tired of it.

I was thinking of moving to a few potential options, but I'm open to anything (WITHIN REASON ).

I'd like to keep the price between $150 and $250. Ideally, the cheaper the better. However, at the same time I want a good product with tried and tested bios and hardware reliability to brag about. A quality product, in essence.

Considering so far:

Asus P5E X38
ABIT IX38 Quad GT X38
Asus Commando (not sure about going with a 965 these days though...)
DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R
Asus P5K-E
ASUS P5K DELUXE
ASUS P5K PREMIUM (not sure on the major difference between these two)
DFI LP LT P35 T2R
DFI LP UT P35 T2R (once again, not sure if the UT would be worth the extra money, or just spring for x38 at that point)
**DFI BloodIron P35 (not within the price range, but I've heard good things about it. Not sure how it holds up these days)

As I said, I'm open to other suggestions, so hit me with em'. Ideally I really just want quality overclocking capability for air (nothing xtreme) without a bad vdroop.

[zsamz_]

DFI LP LT P35 T2R

[Leeghoofd]

Pretty happy with my P5K Dlx running my QX9650 at 4ghz daily at 1.26 volts ( need to set 1.3 volts in bios though ), Difference with the P5K premium board is that the latter has better cooler running mosfets and some more alterations and therefore is better for WC setup... both boards have been tested and are well mature enough in bios updates... small warning for Crossfire ... they are both P35 based chipsets so no Full lanes at your disposition when running 2 cards... better go X38 or X48 if you ever tend to go dual card...

Also update that Zalman cooler to something better, Zalman is okay if you run it flat out but with eg a Thermalright Ultra 120 you get a better working cooler... my TRUE handles the same clocks as good as my WC setup (latter had the 8800GTX though in the loop)

[Solarfall]

i have the ABIT IX38 Quad GT X38 and DFI LP LT P35 T2R ..the DFI board is slighty better in overclocking.

[BlueAqua]

DFI LP LT P35 T2R, I have the UT version and it's a wonderful board to overclock with, very fun. However I've been having more fun with my Commando, imagine that.

[OC4/3]

Ａｂｉｔ　ＩＰ３５　Ｐｒｏ　ｉｓ　ｇｏｏｄ．Ｃａｎ　ｄｏ　５０４ｆｓｂ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　Ｅ６ ５５０．

[sofarfrome]

For a single GPU solution: DFI LP LT P35 T2R

For a dual GPU solution: DFI LP LT X38 T2R (or for a few $$ less get the DK version).

[Sly Fox]

The DFI DK X38 looks very tempting.

I've found it only has a 4 phase digital PWM though. Will that be enough to provide stable, relatively vdroop free voltage to a Kentsfield quad core?

Big thing I hate about this P5KC is the crazy vdroop. I really want something that will maintain at least a relatively stable voltage.

[motopen1s]

I would not recommend to go for p965 today. If you are using a sata dvd drive - you could run into some troubles.

Some time ago I built a system for a friend of my based on a p965 board (I think it was P5B-Plus). I had issues with DVD drive with sata interface. Windows (XP Pro) would crash during installation and it seemed as a drive worked very slow overall.

I updated bios but that didnt help really. After searching the net for a possible solution I came across of the issue of P965 + sata interface optical drives.

I messed up with bios and at the end of the day a friend of my was happily playing around with a new rig - however, it took some time and probablly several nerv cells as well .


I've read good things about Foxconn Mars (did not try myself though). You should consider it too.

[jimmyz]

The DFI DK X38 looks very tempting.

I've found it only has a 4 phase digital PWM though. Will that be enough to provide stable, relatively vdroop free voltage to a Kentsfield quad core?

Big thing I hate about this P5KC is the crazy vdroop. I really want something that will maintain at least a relatively stable voltage.

I misread and thought you meant the lt, I highly recommend the lt, the dk however I know very little about.

The lt x-38 has little or no v-droop and plenty of power for my quad at 5ghz. DFI makes some stunning boards these days. simply awesome boards

[Sly Fox]

So right now, after scouring the web on my own and reading this topic thus far, I'm kinda feeling this.

1. DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R - If it doesn't get much vdroop with Kentsfield's I think I will go this route, with 4 phase, I dunno though.
2. Asus P5E X38 - About $30 more than the DFI, but guaranteed quality.
3. DFI LP LT P35 T2R - Highly renowned for it's OC potential and stability.
4. ASUS P5K DELUXE - Similar to above, but I'd prefer DFI to Asus.

With my 3870x2 part of me would like to get X38 so that in the future I can go quad crossfire.

At the same time though, I figure that by the time a 3870x2 would be cheap enough to warrant that + the new PSU I'd need... I'd probably just build a whole new rig.

[sofarfrome]

I believe you will have no issues with the 4-phase power delivery for the quads.

[Sly Fox]

Well guys, I went ahead and ordered: http://www.motherboardpro.com/DFI-LP...ard-p-540.html

Yeah, it's out of the range I'd stated, but my dad agreed to give me a hand if I would also build a work PC for my mother.

[sfdmalex]

Nice, Im shopping around for a mobo too...those DFI are out of my budget...


looks like Im going for a P5K if this P5B doesnt like the Xeon.

[sfdmalex]

Dont want to open a new thread....but keeping with the topic.....


Whats the best plain mary jane board for the E8400?

It's not even about the money, I just want teh simplest and most stable OC board for the E8400.

Dont want to deal with all the crap I read up on asus lately....

No need for WIFI, raid or firewire one PCE-E 16X is fine.


Just a plain ol small block V8.


Something tells me I should just stick with the P5B.

[mursaat]

Ａｂｉｔ　ＩＰ３５　Ｐｒｏ　ｉｓ　ｇｏｏｄ．Ｃａｎ　ｄｏ　５０４ｆｓｂ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　Ｅ６ ５５０．

You should read the rules man, I know you know we all understand you, but that doesn't make me write "'nowunoweolndrstnu"...

[mursaat]

^^ I think that too.

I got a refurbished P5K SE for 40€ (which made me buy a E8200 and RAM) and is the Mobo I could recommend you (software RAID, 1 PCX16, no wifi) but the vdroop is insane, 1,375 in BIOS, 1,328 CPUZ, 1,296 (and hangs) at load.

Tomorrow I will try to change it for a P5K-E/WIFI AP plus 90€ because with 4ghz (or close) I'll be really really happy. I've been waiting for an Intel "SLI-DR" so long I just can't wait

BTW I've been "away" from XS for 1 year or so, reading a lot but eager to buy anything, waiting for the golden board. Some could say I lost the OC fever. WRONG!. In one week I'm on the market again LOL

Pity I'm bankrupt now

[adamsleath]

cheaper to get x48 dfi board in aus than it is for p35 t2r...
but 350aud isnt what i'd call cheap.
http://www.gamedude.com.au/

cant you get a dfi lt t2r for around 200usd?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...DFI-_-13136039
$179usd