mobo choice

[werdna35]

This is my current build:

http://www.techist.com/forums/f75/final-build-142261/

OK, I am having a bit of indecision about which motherboard to choose. I thought I had it all resolved, but I'm gonna be spending a lot of money on this computer so I want to make sure I have everything set and getting my best value for my money, so to speak. So I'm kind of stuck between these three:

Newegg.com - MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

What determines the capability of the mobo, is the FSB speed? If there is an even better choice of a mobo, please let me know about it.

 

[b1gapl]

The 965P-DS3 is probably the better overclocker, and the cheaper one too. The only thing it doesn't have, like the other two, is the 2nd PCI-e slot for SLI, and a 2nd PATA slot.

 

[hmammen]

I agree...I would personally get the DS3...knowing i am an overclocker and knowing im not a fan of SLI, even though im running it right now hehe. But if you really are set on SLI in the future i would get the ASUS.

 

[bleeckkk]

I'd go with none of the three but if I had too it would be either the Asus or the MSI. At that point if it's not features that you're concerned with I would consider it a coin flip. But that's just me.

 

[werdna35]

Well overclocking isn't much of a concern. If I do it, it won't be for a long time after I have had the system and it won't be very much.

 

[b1gapl]

If you want features such as SLI, additional SATA and USB ports, as well as overclocking, I'd go for the MSI P6N Platinum.

 

[darksideleader]

MSI's overclock pretty good as well. It also has another PCI-E slot for an option to SLI in the future. You might not like SLIing right now but if you need the power of the 8800GTX you can just buy a cheaper 8800GTS in the future rather than buying the more expensive card and forgeting about the cheaper card.