Questions about the 680i mobo

[Blitersety]

Hello,

I'm putting together a parts list for a new computer that I plan to buy soon and I was considering the 680i motherboard, but a couple of things I read on Newegg worried me. For example, one reviewer said that he had to manually set up the LAN ports. Is that true for all 680i's? Is it hard to do?

Also with its 3 PCIe ports, is there any particular one that you're supposed to put the graphics card in if you're not going to be doing SLi? Thanks.

 

[b1gapl]

Don't consider the 680i motherboard, when there are newer chipsets, such as the P35. The P35 supports a native 1333FSB, and the upcoming 45nm processors. Where as the 680i, you would have to update the BIOS in order to get the support. The P35 chipset is cheaper as well.

To answer your question about the PCIe slots. If a motherboard has multiple PCIe slots, you put the graphic card, in the top most slot, closest to the northbridge chipset, or the CPU.

 

[mgcook]

question

do you plan to run SLI or not?

if not then get a P35 board, if so then get a 680i. i recommend EVGA they offer a lifetime warranty and top notch customer service.

 

[peterhuang913]

Get a Gigabyte P35 DS3R board. If a board has multiple PCI-E slots, I'd choose the slot that is closer to the northbridge because I'm weird and I like to shave off those milliseconds.

 

[phucng_10]

Get a Gigabyte P35 DS3R board. If a board has multiple PCI-E slots, I'd choose the slot that is closer to the northbridge because I'm weird and I like to shave off those milliseconds.

That's not being weird Peter. I would just get the P35-DS3R. There isn't much of a performance increase with SLi.

 

[Cappy]

Im using this board and quite happy with its performance . I believe there is a new chipset for the newer boards. Dont get anything below a T1 revision.
Definately see how the P35 boards are doing , do some homework on it before you buy.
Sli is king but darn expensive AnandTech: NVIDIA SLI Performance Preview with MSI's nForce4 SLI Motherboard

 

[mgcook]

That's not being weird Peter. I would just get the P35-DS3R. There isn't much of a performance increase with SLi.

SLI gives more than you think. it will double the FPS with the higher end cards

 

[Invisible]

SLI gives more than you think. it will double the FPS with the higher end cards

still, in most experts opinion....not worth the money unless your loaded

 

[Deadpixel]

still, in most experts opinion....not worth the money unless your loaded

I plan on becomubg Ãœber rich, some day, and buying dual G92's and the 900 dollar cpu cooler.

Go w/ the DS3R, unless your ding SLI.

 

[Invisible]

900 dollar cpu cooler?
u mean liquid nitrogen?