Mobo upgrade:P45 comparison

[jfenwick]

So looking to upgrade my P35 mobo, sending it off to the in-laws and am looking for a replacement, eyeing these below, ignore prices, just curious as to the real differences if there are any.

ASUS P5Q-E:
Newegg.ca - ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

I see the third PCI-e slot @ x4 link, what's it for, any difference for plugging another gpu in there? recognizing of course that crossfire isn't an option. Don't know much about this x16,x8,x4 stuff.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R:
Newegg.ca - GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP
Newegg.ca - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Any real reason to go with one over the other? I'll be switching to a quad in the near future so want something that will OC well. Next planned big upgrade wont be for 2 years about so want something that will last decently, not a big gamer.

This will get relegated to folding rig at that point so curious if that 3rd pci-e slot on the ASUS is worth it as all these check in around the same price where I'm buying.

 

[philbar71]

the biostar holds world record for highest fsb. i would get the gigabyte.

 

[thirdshiftdj]

you do realize the gigabyte is ddr3 right?

 

[philbar71]

well yes, i realize that. i have 4gb of ocz platinum ddr3 ram sitting here looking at me yelling at me to put it inside of a gigabyte mobo.

 

[BongWizard]

whack it in the gigabyte board... should be a mean OCer... the DS3P/UD3P and up usually get some chronic FSBs because its got a nice pipe goin on

 

[thirdshiftdj]

well yes, i realize that. i have 4gb of ocz platinum ddr3 ram sitting here looking at me yelling at me to put it inside of a gigabyte mobo.

I was talking to jfenwick

 

[philbar71]

^ohh sorry. didnt know.

 

[thirdshiftdj]

yea just don't let it happen again.

either the Giga board or Asus. Both will oc good. It'll come down to which looks you like better

 

[philbar71]

the gigabyte looks kindve sissyish with the light blue pcb, asus looks more manly.

yea just don't let it happen again.

YES SIR!

 

[thirdshiftdj]

jfenwick if you don't mind openbox they have the asus maximus II for $136