Decisions decisions....

[kissfan]

Hi All,

I am an experienced builder, and have finally got the chance to replace my ageing 2500 Barton rig.

I have almost completed my selection of parts, but just cannot decide between these 2 Motherboards.

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/prod...ode=MBG-G33MS3

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-247-AS

I am erring on the side of the Gygabyte, as they at least have a product page on their website, where as I can find little about the ASUS.

Any of you guys have experience of either of these boards, and what is your opinion.

I must stress that I need to get a uATX, for the case that I am building into.

Thanks

[Ahura]

Off topic, but both of those board are Intel.

[kissfan]

Originally Posted by Ahura Off topic, but both of those board are Intel.

This I know, as I said I am replacing the old rig lock stock and barrel.

I will be using an Intel E6750 in this build.

Thanks

[blue60007]

I've always had good luck with ASUS so I would lean towards that one... Here's the ASUS website: http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...90&modelmenu=1

[freakitchen]

I too would suggest the Asus, but that particular board looks overpriced at Overclockers - it's nearly £20 cheaper on ebuyer, but unfortunately out of stock

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/132097

I'd be tempted to shop around for it - take a look at Scan.co.uk, novatech.co.uk, and komplett.co.uk

[Cricket]

ASUS is a top tier manufacturer.

Gigabyte is a middle tier manufacturer.

Gigabyte is owned by ASUS.

ASUS is known to produce good quality motherboards that are very stable and reliable.

Gigabyte is known to be first to market for most new technologies but this tends to make them less stable and reliable until a few revisions have gone by.

I would get a ASUS motherboard.

Cricket

[Ahura]

Off topic, I think a majority of motherboard manufactures are Tawain base company. I purchased a Gigabyte recently and yay it is not DOA. But can a mother has liek error that does not show up at first boot, but show up later during the course of use?

I accidentally touched the circuitry liek twice........

[freakitchen]

Ahura, please don't take this thread off-topic. Start a new thread if you have a concern about that board - and provide as much information as you can.

[kissfan]

Thanks guys.

I was seriously thinking on the Asus, but couldn't find the product page (and there it was @ the .com all time, I was using the .tw . Thanks blue). But to keep the build on budget as Freakitchen noted OCUK was a little pricey, and E-Buyer didn't have it listed when I was hunting. I'll check out those other outlets too.

I have never had an issue with any Gygabyte boards, and personally would still put them as a Tier 1 manufacturer. Respect to Cricket. I think they already have a rev 2 of the board as on checking the BIOS update page I can see there are listed 2 ver, but that could just be BIOS revisions.

I didn't know that the parent company was ASUS . !

I read a review in PC Pro (a uk monthly) where the Gygabyte was put up against similar P33 boards from ECS and MSI, the ECS I ruled out immediately (although I had a K7S5A, that gave me plenty years good service) and MSI I have never trusted, although it came out top of the 3 reviewed, but haven't found it listed in the UK (but I will be looking tonight, just to compare). I may do a little overclocking at a later date, so the ASUS should be the better option and if I am honest it would have been my 1st choice, had the GB board not been quite so cheap.

If I can open this topic a little further, I was considering an Antec NSK1300 - http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=00131

But was unsure if it would take a standard ATX psu, as it looks on the schematic that the 300w supplied (which wouldn't cope anyway) is proprietry, and I have a nice juicy PSU sitting waiting for a new home - http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=00131 Anyone know?

I'll not be bothering with the OB graphics as I am planning on either a 8600GTS or possiblly a high end 7xxx series. I do like the odd blast on call of duty and the like but wouldn't say I am an avid gamer so either of those options should suit. I am not going Vista either, I like XP pro and it has yet to let me down in a big way (keeping it 'clean' and updated helps.. ). So no big need for DX10.

Thanks for your input to date, and I look forward to more of your comments.

cheers

Kissfan


EDIT :

Just had a look at the ASUS and it only has 1 ps/2 port so it's ruled out as I cannot factor in a KVM to replace my current one and also have to replace my wireless keyboard and mouse at this time.

[freakitchen]

That's an interesting looking case. Managed to find this review of it:

http://www.thinkcomputers.org/index....reviews&id=535

From the comments here, and reviews at Newegg, it does look like the PSU isn't standard - though it does have a 24-pin main power connector. Because it's only 300w, I wouldn't trust anything much beyond on-board video to it, certainly not a mid-range card like an 8600. If you're set on a small case, look for something that uses a standard ATX power supply - Antec have some 'media center' cases that do. Even regular micro-ATX units don't go much above 350w.

About the motherboard - with the new P35 chipset and its variations, there's been a tendency to omit the mouse PS/2 port. You might consider a *slightly* older 965 chipset board. They still support the majority of the Core 2 Duos (up to 1066 FSB), and I think have both PS/2 ports across the range. The ASUS P5B-VM isn't bad value for money, either:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/118634

[kissfan]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen About the motherboard - with the new P35 chipset and its variations, there's been a tendency to omit the mouse PS/2 port. You might consider a *slightly* older 965 chipset board. They still support the majority of the Core 2 Duos (up to 1066 FSB), and I think have both PS/2 ports across the range. The ASUS P5B-VM isn't bad value for money, either: http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/118634

Thanks, but I want to install an E6750 (1333 fsb), and don't have a lower end C2D to flash the BIOS with, so the older 965's are not a viable option at this point.

cheers

Kissfan

[kissfan]

Hi again,

Just a heads up for anyone interested in the NSK1300, I have had a reply from Antecs Customer services stating that the PSU CANNOT be replaced with a standard ATX of any Wattage.

Sods Law.

Kissfan