What motherboard??

[waterbourn]

I am fairly new to the build your own pc scene. I have been reading up and trying to figure stuff out. But I am really out a lost on what motherboard to get with SO many choices out there. It is a bit overwhelming. I will probably use a quad-core and and want SLI. I also want to be able to have a good upgradeable future for the mobo. Any ideas on what is currently a good board?

[flanzig1]

First, do you have a budget? This will help with the grade of parts and whether Quad core and Sli would fit the budget.
Also, the uses of the PC will also decide what parts are best and if Sli and quad core is worth the extra cost.
As for motherboards, Asus is the first recommended brand. Need to decide on a CPU processer.

[waterbourn]

The Q6600 is what I am looking at with the 8800 video card. I will probably want SLI in the future. Budget is not too much of an issue. I don't need to get the most expensive just because it is the newest and best on the block, but I need something to support SLI, Quad core, and still have room to grow in the future.

[flanzig1]

At this time, quad core CPUs will not provide any real increase in gaming power. Most games are still single core threaded with some that can use dual core. With Sli, it's best to get it at first build due to the fact that a matching card could be discontinued by the time you want to do Sli. If doing Sli with 8800 cards, you want a large enough monitor to take advantage of the Sli setup,something in the 24" or bigger range. Should also use a Sli Certified PSU, not one that is "Sli Ready or Sli capable"

[hagatha]

I agree ^^^, the "need" for a quad is still in the fairly distant future. A quality dual core will last for some time to come, and if you choose the right mobo then you can still have a quad in your future.

I'd recommend a 680i chipset, and I like the support I've gotten from EVGA. I'd probably do a e6600 CPU or if you want to jump a bit go with the new 6850... (1333fsb)

If you wait for a couple months the 9800 video cards will be out so the prices of the 88's will drop quite a bit. Then jump on a GTX or Ultra... you don't really need a SLI setup right now, because the bottle neck is at the CPU until you get over 3ghz. A single GTX will handle a 24" at max res np...

I'd spend any money saved on really good memory, at least 8500...

Lee

[waterbourn]

Thanks for all the comments.

So back to the question.. Even if i just go with core 2 for now and upgrade to quad later. If I go with 1 8800 now, with maybe SLI 9800 in the future, what motherboard is a good choice for a gaming rig. It needs to say "nforce" to be SLI cabable? I see offerings from Asus and EVGA. Either of these would be good? Any specific suggestions.

[flanzig1]

For Sli, you want the 680i Nvidia chipset. The Asus 680i seemed to be a more stable platform, the EVGA 680i board had problems when it first came out. I believe the problems have been corrected.

[LeftyAce]

If I go with 1 8800 now, with maybe SLI 9800

You mean upgrade to 2 9800s later? You can't mix an 8800 with a 9800 in SLI.

I would drop the SLI idea; you're always better off getting 1 next gen card rather than 2 older cards, so SLI isn't a good upgrade strategy (I got it for upgrade purposes, and am still running 1 card....if I upgrade, it'll be to 1 8800, not a second 7800).

If you skip sli, get an ASUS P5K.

[Katreat]

SLI is not an upgrade path. It is a way to make the best better. Two 8800s will out perform one. But one 9800 will likely (always has in the past) out perform two 8800s. So if you really have the resources to go with two 8800 now then it will perform better, but if you are waiting to buy the second 8800 sometime next year you might as well just buy one 9800, ebay the old 8800, and you will be money and performance ahead.

Kat