Compatibility. RAM and Motherboard

[twodayslate]

I am looking for good RAM and a motherboard for this future set up. For the RAM, I want at least 4GB and extremely fast. Price range: under 200
As for the motherboard I want at least 2 PCI-xx16 slots, DDR2 and DDR3 friendly, bunch of USBs, for my RAM space I want at least 8GB. This motherboard is for now and for the future. Price range: 150

More info here

Thanks a bunch!
Any opinions on my future build are welcomed!

[Devastator]

The ASUS P5KC takes DDR2 and DDR3, but you can't use both at the same time obviously.

Takes 8gb of DDR2 and 4GB of DDR3 I believe. You don't want to use DDR3 yet though as its overpriced and not that much faster it seems.

[mwhaha]

32 bit windows only takes 2gb ram max I think...

[freakitchen]

Originally Posted by mwhaha 32 bit windows only takes 2gb ram max I think...

Not quite - 32bit operating systems will accept more than 2GB RAM, but are only able to address a maximum of ~3.5GB - most users see something around the ~3.25 mark. If you want more than this on a Windows computer, really your only option is Vista x64.

[twodayslate]

Any boards in particular beside the ASUS P5KC? Or is that one good enough?
edit:// Can you guys explain OEM? Is it worth it? This will be my first full build.

Thank

[flanzig1]

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer
For a home builder, that makes you the OEM.
For HDs, Windows OS, and for replacement DVD/CD drives a great way to save a few bucks over the retail type package.
For a build with today's parts, any of the Asus P5K series would be good, though as a transition board for DDR2 & 3 the P5KC wouldn't be a my choice. I feel with these transition boards that come out to bridge changing technology, that something may get skimped on or just plain poorly done.

[twodayslate]

OK, someone told me this about the P5kC:

That would be the cheapest hybrid board, but it doesn't support dual PCI-E x16 slots...one runs in PCI-E x4 mode. Reviews have been quite bad for it too. Your choice. Hybrid boards are not common.

Any other options?

[freakitchen]

I'm tempted to suggest the standard ASUS P5K for a build at the moment - DDR2 memory is SO cheap at the moment, you'd be getting a bargain. It's also well within your budget. Why do you want dual PCI-E slots? In my opinion, dual video cards is an over-hyped practise for all but those with the very biggest budgets.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180

Looking at the link you provided, am I right in thinking you intend to re-use the Antec Smartpower 500w and the Nvidia 7900GT? Obviously, a new dual/quad core processor and 4GB of RAM would provide a significant upgrade over your existing computer, but keep in mind that the video card has a LOT of influence on gaming performance. You don't mention if you're a gamer, but by not upgrading the video card, you're obviously limiting the performance gain in that particular area.

For the processor, I'd be choosing between the E6750 dual core, and the Q6600 quad core. The quad will be great if you intend to do a lot of multitasking and photo/video editing, for example. If not, then the dual core represents great value for money. Most games still only take advantage of one core.

As I've already said, you should be looking at a 64-bit operating system if you want 4GB of RAM. Would suggest Corsair memory, and since the prices are so low at the moment, go for DDR2-800.

[twodayslate]

What I am planning to get
Yeah, right now my power supply and video card are not my biggest worries. I sometimes game but nothing that my current card can't handle. It handled COD4 pretty good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188015
for $10 more I get 2 PCIx16, what do you think?

Compare on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188015

[freakitchen]

I'd say that in order to do that, you're sacrificing on quality and potentially stability. eVGA boards simply haven't been around long enough to have the reputation of ASUS, and there's no avoiding the fact that an Intel processor on an Intel chipset is the best combination.

The SLI option I think is hugely overrated. By the time you're dissatisfied with the performance of your video card, you'd be significantly better off replacing it with the strongest single video card you can afford - adding another 7900GT simply wouldn't get you the same performance (not to mention the difficulty getting hold of one due to age). SLI can be beneficial for those that want the best gaming performance money can buy, and they do that by purchasing two of the best video cards money can buy - for almost everyone else, it would simply be for 'bragging rights'.

[twodayslate]

so asus then, thanks