P35 Help

[tom.mullie]

I need a high quality P35 board for an upcoming system build. Durability is an issue, because this build will have to last me at least 4 years without a complete overhaul. I am looking at the Gigabyte p35-DS3R, but that is difficult since my local store doesn't carry it. I've also looked at the Asus P5K, but know almost nothing about it. Here's what I need:

-durability
-OC- probably taking an e8500 to 3.8, or possibly a q9450 up to 3.2 (either way, bringing the fsb to 400 to match my ddr2 800 memory)
-native RAID-0 support
-in the $100-$175 range

any advice is welcome. thanks guys

[Eldonko]

Pretty much any P35 can achieve those ocs.

I have a P5K and it's fine and the abit board is decent too. P5K-E is better if you can find one, has voltage damper. Im not a fan of giga but that is just personal pref..

[3.0charlie]

I'll say the opposite from Eldonko's... I'm no fan of Asus - had too many RMAs with them. Been using 3 Giga boards, 2 of them P35s. Not a single hiccup since day 1. Same with my customers boards: all Gigas, except a few 680is that I don't recommend anymore.

But I do agree on one fact from Eldonko: most (if not all) P35 boards can reach 400FSB.

[Eldonko]

I had alot of issues with giga p965 boards, crappy bios and no support. From that I wont buy another, just comes down to user experience I guess. I had 2 P5K boards die but with the abuse I put em through (sub zero, volt mods, etc) it doesnt surprise me. But a regular user shouldnt have too much trouble.

I prefer the ASUS boards over the giga for the bios mainly.

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by Eldonko

I had alot of issues with giga p965 boards, crappy bios and no support. From that I wont buy another, just comes down to user experience I guess. I had 2 P5K boards die but with the abuse I put em through (sub zero, volt mods, etc) it doesnt surprise me. But a regular user shouldnt have too much trouble.

I prefer the ASUS boards over the giga for the bios mainly.

My 3rd board is a Giga P965, and I'm not talking about it too... though it gives me the highest FSB (I've hit 525), it is the most unstable board of all 3. Stick with the P35s, and you'll be very happy.

As a sidenote, why not go for the P35C-DS3R (or the Asus equivalent: P5KC) with the DDR2/DDR3 support? You'll be good for many years to come.

[DaBruuzer]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

As a sidenote, why not go for the P35C-DS3R (or the Asus equivalent: P5KC) with the DDR2/DDR3 support? You'll be good for many years to come.

That's what I am using (see my sig), and although I am nowhere near the experts these guys are, I did do a lot of reading and research. All of it led me to the Gigabyte P35s, mostly for durability's sake. Nothing wrong with the Asus P35s, just that the Gigabyte boards seem better built, materials-wise. Also, the onboard sound of the P35C was superior to the P5KC I was looking at (if I remember correctly).

[enaberif]

Never been a fan of Gigabyte boards their color scheme is just god awful.

Asus boards you simply can't go wrong with as they are great boards with a great warranty.

Abit boards are becoming mainstream again thank god as they used to have good boards back in the day so its nice to see some competition from them.

XFX and Evga are just reference from Asus usually and because of that you have to really becareful.

I love my Abit board but they don't support the e8x000 properly YET.

[magictorch]

Ive had no problems with the Asus P5KE I bought at all. Very solid quality ocing board. But I dont know what other people have experienced. Still I know it oc's the new chips very well.

Lots of people here love the P35 gigabytes too!!!

The ABit board in enaberif's signature is supposed to be one of the finest P35 boards out there right now judging by the reviews!

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by magictorch

Ive had no problems with the Asus P5KE I bought at all. Very solid quality ocing board. But I dont know what other people have experienced. Still I know it oc's the new chips very well.

Lots of people here love the P35 gigabytes too!!!

The ABit board in enaberif's signature is supposed to be one of the finest P35 boards out there right now judging by the reviews!

The IP35-Pro is a wonderful board with lots of options and the uGuru system is great. But like I said unfortunately it doesn't properly support the e8x000 processors yet so they work but temps and volts maybe out to lunch.

[tom.mullie]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I was just looking at the P5K's stats, and it claims 2 PCIeX16 slots. I thought you had to go to X38 boards for that- what's the deal?