Motherbard for 9800GX2 and 1231ML

[lefy]

Looking for recommendations that support

• pci-e x16 graphics card (EVGA 9800GX2)
• pci-e x8 RAID controller (Areca Arc-1231ML)
• solid overclocker (450-500 FSB)

no x4 PCIe slots allowed for these 2. eSATA would be nice, but not mandatory. budget isn't a big factor, but i had $200-$300 in mind. Asus Maximus II Formula is most interesting, but not available

This mobo is going to be for the rig in my sig. It's my all-purpose workhorse & now media server. The abit IP35 Pro would move to my HTPC.

thanks!

[jas420221]

Gosh I hate to post and really be no help, but I have to be honest. The three things you are looking for just about ANY motherboard can do. X38, P35/45, 680i/780i based boards all have that functionality.

[lefy]

yeah, I think the things that I'm hung up on are

- some P35 limit the second PCIe slot to x4, and I want my RAID card to run at x8.
- if P45, would x8 for the VGA hinder my graphics card performance?

in either case, it isn't clear to me if the second PCIe slot would be x8 for a non VGA card. ie - just because SLI/crossfire works at x16 for both, can I assume the RAID card would too?

Oh, I had an underwhelming experience with a 680i and pretty much dismissed nvidia as an option. Looks like your 780i is doing you well.. maybe things are better now idk. ok, you've actually sparked my interest in the 780i. do you think I could get the same OC results I'm getting with my ip35 pro?? 24/7 = 3.6GHz w/8GB RAM, bench = 4GHz

Could I run quad SLI and get x8 from the RAID controller in the third PCIe-16 slot? 780i is sounding really tempting now LOL.. you did help!