New build (AMD to Conroe)...

[SWBgHz]

I am making the move from AMD to the new Conroe, knowing the the memory is often the linch-pin for stability and performance I though I would start with choosing the right memory and then fit a board to it.

 

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048

 

I am considering starting with that memory (4G total) and a Conroe 6800 but being an AMD guy I am finding it hard to pin down a good board (in terms of the board itself and compatibility with the memory and timings/O/Cing possibilities).

 

Possible boards (was waiting for RD600 but that is not seeming to be coming given the AMD/ATI thing):

1. ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

2. MSI 975X Platinum Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

3. Intel BOXD975XBXLKR Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

 

 

Keep in mind that even though I currently have the 7950 I am really an ATI guy at heart and DEFINITELY will be goign to R600 crossfire setup in Dec/Jan when the new cards are available. Not trying to ignite the ATI VS NVIDIA battle but I prefer ATI and only have this 7950 (a great card for sure) as it was a sample and I wanted to try it out.

 

Thanks, and feel free to suggest another board as I think I got a good top three but may not. Oh, and the Intel board above is listed as #3 because I get the feeling it is the more 'unstable' of the bunch which goes against it but the 3 PCIe x16 slots may be nice if the physics on GPU thing develops next year - but realisticly I can easily get a new MB next year if that takes off if it means having a better board now while it is developing.

 

P.S. Let me note that even though my specs show my main gaming rig as using Mush that I have held of on new RAM this last year knowign AMD was goign to DDR2, but as a system builder I am now using Corsair allmost exclusively (even though I think Mush is still great stuff). Just FYI.

[SWBgHz]

Let me add on O/Cing - I will get a good phase-change HS and O/C a little bit but my main interest is not in cranking the clocks up to new highs - I may very well just O/C it enough to jump the 3G mark (a nice milestone having been with AMD so long) and call it a day.

[RAM GUY]

Well I can’t really suggest one MB over another except to say this:

If you want to over clock you need to make sure that the MB you plan to get will allow you to set the CPU, and memory settings and Voltage manually in the Bios all of the MB's you have listed may not. In addition the Intel 965 chipset based MB's have been able to over clock better than Intel I975 Based chipset MB's.

[SWBgHz]

What about the RAm I selected - best choice for a conroe system? Any problems getting it to run properly in any of those boards?

[RAM GUY]

XM2S-6400 or XM2S-6400C4 either one would be a great choice for this system, but the make and model of MB you choose will be the deciding factor. Example: If you choose an Intel Boxed I965 chipset MB I would have to suggest VS2GBKit667D2. so to be clear the reason I have not commented is the CPU you use will not care about the memory what important will be the MB you use then the Core CPU FSB.

[SWBgHz]

I suppose my biggest struggle at this point is not so much the MB to get but the chipset - can I get a comment on what people think is the best chipset (currently) for the Conroe 6800? I here some saying 975x and others seem to say the P965?

[SWBgHz]

I suppose this one is my most likely choice as I need the x4 slot if offers (the others only have x1 slots) for my Promise controller:

 

DFI INFINITY 975X Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

 

Will be gettign 4x1G modules, just FYI. My inclination would be to go with timing over speed but I think in Intel-land that is not necessarily the right way to go so I think high quality, low latency DDR800 is what I was thinking.

[Wired]

http://compatible.corsairmemory.com - should answer your questions

 

Why 4 GB though?

[SWBgHz]

Vista/DX10 era - mind as well get it now so there is no issue with getting complimentary modules later.

 

2GB is fine now but come the next gen I think it will take 4 to be in that overkill sweetspot.

[SWBgHz]

DFI INFINITY 975X Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

 

Intel BOXD975XBXLKR Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard

 

Gigabyte GA-G1975X 975X Express

 

Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 P965 Express

 

So I think it will be one of those with the DFI and Intel boards in the lead as it has the x4 slot I need for my HDD controller - allthough I have the PCI version if I decide to go with one of the other boards.