Looking for mobo suggestions for first build/overclock.

[jwilliams]

I originally bought a MSI P43 Neo3-F (PCB 1.0) but after doing a little more research on the bboards I've found that it's not that great of a mobo. Could anyone point me in the direction of some good candidates for someone working on their first build and will also be attempting my first overclock (if everything goes as planned)?

Here's was I was looking for:
A good quality respected brand. MSI seems to be a negative and I'd like my first build to be a positive experience so I was thinking ASUS or maybe Gigabyte?

Will be used for C2D/C2Q not sure which yet.

Takes DDR2 800 RAM(at least 8 GB)

At least 1 eSATA and PATA Connection

6 SATA prefered

Good overclocking options and easy BIOS setup

And here is the kicker.... I'd like to spend less than $150 if possible. If it's on Amazon, even better because that's where I bought my original one and when I send it back they will just credit my account because I used a gift card.

Any help would be very appreciated. Oh and I'm new at knowing what to look for (as you can probably tell) so if you have any questions about my needs please ask.

P.S. no i7 boards lol I'd rather not shell out the money for 3 more sticks of RAM. AMD is not my first choice unless someone gives me a compelling reason to switch.

[shadowpr]

The P5Q fits most of those.

The thing I can't see is the esata port on the back panel of it.

[Masaki 7-11]

Do you still have the motherboard? I've used about 8 MSI motherboards so far and have had no problems with any of them (I actually got a very good overclock with the MSI motherboard in my signature). If you still have it and can spare some time, I would take a look at trying it out to see if it works properly and you like it, it should work decently for overclocking as well if you aren't trying for a really large overclock. Here is a good review on the motherboard: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e,2110-12.html

[jwilliams]

Originally Posted by shadowpr The P5Q fits most of those. The thing I can't see is the esata port on the back panel of it.

A couple of other people have suggested that one to me too. I am seriously considering getting it. I'm hoping this is the one?

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-P5Q-LGA-I...2997938&sr=1-2

[jwilliams]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 Do you still have the motherboard? I've used about 8 MSI motherboards so far and have had no problems with any of them (I actually got a very good overclock with the MSI motherboard in my signature). If you still have it and can spare some time, I would take a look at trying it out to see if it works properly and you like it, it should work decently for overclocking as well if you aren't trying for a really large overclock. Here is a good review on the motherboard: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e,2110-12.html

That's actually the one good review I've seen but I'm already got it out in the mail. Thanks though.

[shadowpr]

Yeah. That p5q is highly recommended. So is the pro. Compare the two and see which you like more.

[jwilliams]

Ok after looking at about 12 mobos tonight I think I've narrowed it down to the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P or the ASUS PSQ PRO. Basically it's down to a flip of the coin after I get my tax refund.

[not important]

I'd go with the Asus.