Intel X38 Chipset

[Ripudio]

So...I haven't been keeping up with things at all since I built a computer last year, but its that time again. I'm trying to build a mid-range computer thats *somewhat* future-ready. I'm liking the Intel X38 Chipset motherboards a lot, as you can guess by the title of the thread.

I'm leaning towards some of the Asus boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227

I was wondering if any of you knew if the P5E was compatible with DDR3 or if the Maximus was compatible with DDR2. I'd like to stick with ddr2 800 for now, mainly for the price, but as ddr3 becomes more prevalent, I don't want to get left in the dust.

Or if I'm just being stupid...feel free to let me know :D

[templar_m1a1]

X38 Chipset Motherboards are expensive and its only major advantage over P35 is a pair of 16x PCI-e which is nice for CrossFire.

If want CrossFire really bad than X38/48 is your best option, if you want DDR3 support and don't care about CrossFire then a P35 is a more economical choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128082

Also there are rumors floating around that P45 is scheduled to lunch in Q2 of this year. http://www.tweaktown.com/news/8858/index.html

[Ripudio]

Is the p45 going to support PCIe 16x 2.0?

[ianm2]

I was going to add, no sooner x38, now there is x48.

take a look here its quite a good site.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/11/27/intel_x48_chipset_preview/1


I would steer clear of some latest asus boards, since the striker, I have a feeling they have gone a bit off. dunno about the intel ones tho'. the difference between the striker and my a8n-sli is nite and day, and not in the strikers favour.

you could always try nvidia 780i, but after probs. with the 680, it could still be a bit of an unknown, and of course, the only reason for nividia chipset is so they can sell more of their gfx cards. looks a nice board tho'. expensive still. latest stuff always is.

[SuperSix]

So...I haven't been keeping up with things at all since I built a computer last year, but its that time again. I'm trying to build a mid-range computer thats *somewhat* future-ready. I'm liking the Intel X38 Chipset motherboards a lot, as you can guess by the title of the thread.

I'm leaning towards some of the Asus boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227

I was wondering if any of you knew if the P5E was compatible with DDR3 or if the Maximus was compatible with DDR2. I'd like to stick with ddr2 800 for now, mainly for the price, but as ddr3 becomes more prevalent, I don't want to get left in the dust.

Or if I'm just being stupid...feel free to let me know :D

Asus is good, but they have a habit of shipping boards very early after the chipset release. They have to be the first to market. Personally, I would wait until a few more revisions are released. At least PCB 2 or higher.

Actually, I would wait until the X48 chipset is released. And then I would go with an Intel board.

By that time DDR3 will be more reasonably priced.

[farfromhome]

Is the p45 going to support PCIe 16x 2.0?

Yes. 16x/1x in non-Crossfire situations, and 8x/8x in Crossfire. When you keep in mind that it's PCI-E 2.0 especially, there is no advantage of 16x slots over 8x slots anyway as long as you're using PCI-E 2.0 video cards.