Thanks to the federal gov't and their generous donation to my computer build fund, i've decided to go i7 for my new build.

I have 4 boards in consideration:

Asus P6T Deluxe v2
Gigabyte EX58-UD5
EVGA X58 SLI
MSI Eclipse SLI

Any opinions out there? One consideration is slot configuration - most boards will lose access to the all PCI-Ex1 or x4 slots or PCI slots with a dual graphic card setup. Not that anything is going in those slots immediately, but it seems pointless to have em if they can't be used for future items.

I intend to try a moderate OC - hoping for a 920 at 3.33-3.6, but i'll trade oc potential for stability - my prime concern.

This was the first year I owed money. I think I deserve some thanks for helping you finance that system.

EVGA Classified is the best currently available, hands down and you will not loose a slot with the second card.

/agree

whatever you do dont go with msi! that's my opinion

Thanks indeed Flama22. I'll engrave your name on the inside of the case!

What have you heard about the MSI Denty? I saw some reports that with early bioses it was finicky with memory. It has the best slot config of any x58 board - the only one that leaves a PCI and a PCI-E x1 or x4 available if running dual video cards.

I assume on the EVGA X58 Class that you could run a PCI-E x1 or x4 card in one of the extra PCI-Ex16 slots. Prob with this board is the price - $500-550 is a pile of cash for a mobo.

I didn't believe you so I checked out the components section of this site and was shocked to see how expensive i7 boards are right now. I mean, I knew they were "expensive" but I thought they were $250-300 expensive and not $400+. Needless to say I then puked a little bit in my mouth...

I'd stick with Asus or Gigabyte. Not that I haven't had issues with Asus, but I've never had to RMA one.

What exactly are these motherboards made out of anyways, Unicorn farts and Sunspot extract?

EVGA Classified boards are a little more expensive than the pack for a number of reasons and which are the following:

There are more than several exciting new noteworthy features on this board that are now able to be mentioned. For instance, the board allows full 3-way SLI nForce 200 x16/x16/x16 style to be used with room left over for a PCI-E x1 audio card on the top slot. This essentially enables a flexible PCI-Express slot arrangement for the ultimate 3-Way SLI + PhysX + audio card setup that enthusiasts have only dreamed of up until now.

For users with water cooled or extreme cooled GPU setups, there are now four PCI-Express Enable/Disable jumpers, one per slot, that allow multi-GPU setups to be troubleshooted without having to take out the cards.

In addition, the CPU core power circuitry has been completely redesigned with Super-low ESR and ESL Film Capacitors placed right behind the CPU Socket, so only the cleanest power goes into the CPU. A high-quality CPU socket is also used, with three times the normal amount of gold content for the lowest impedance and highest current transfer. Furthermore, it is complemented by its slick shiny black anodized coloring.


The engineering in the board obviously costs more money and one gets what one pays for in the world of electronics. The results folks are getting with this board seem to validate the expense...keeping in mind cost/performance is not a linear scale.

While I still run the ASUS REII, I would buy the Classified for my next board. I'll sell you a REII that's been slightly modified.

Looks like some nice features but I just can't get over the fact that my last upgrade (CPU, Memory, Motherboard, Video Card, Case w/ PSU and DVD Burner) was less than that motherboard.

I have to agree, the motherboard prices have gotten obscene, however the P6T seems to be affordable now. I am usually a person that is willing to spend extra for quality, but this is pushing it a little. If i didn't have one for the work I do(video/Photo business on the side) I would likley not have gone to i7...as quickly anyway.

I guess if you want to buy 3 GTX275 and then a phys-x card on top of all that an extra 250 bucks yer gonna spend on a motherboard won't phase ya.

Count out the fact yer probably buying an i940/965 processor. Ahh the old $5,000 is going strong!

Are they even making Phys-X cards anymore? I thought nVidia just integrated them into their 9X00-series or higher cards with the newer Detonator drivers?