Motherboard chipset: P35 or P45?

**Desertfish** · #1 27th Jul 2008, 01:57

Hi All:

After all the trouble I had with my recently new motherboard (read http://www.computer-juice.com/forums...pro-why-18574/ for more info), I still haven't got the damn thing to work properly. Certain applications are causing BOSD's and - although I need to do some further tests to confirm this - I suspect it is because the motherboard is overheating.

Anyway, I have started enquiring with with overclock.co.uk on getting the board replaced and it looks like this will be a no-hassle affair with them. Having said that, I need some help on two fronts in order to choose a new mobo:

1: After all the trouble I've had with Asus boards over the past 3 months, I'm looking at other brands... Anyone for any recomentations...? Asus is a no-no due to recent experiences, but I came accross some nasty issues with Abit and Gigabyte boards in the past while working on IT helpdesks... (maybe not the best way to judge a brand considering that only people with problems are calling helpdesks

)

2: I was looking into a bord with the Intel P35 cipset again, but what about the P45? To be recommended or not...?

Cheers:
Chris

**thingie2** · #2 27th Jul 2008, 05:56

Well apparently the P45 isn't that much better then the P35. Personally I would go for an X38 board, very good chipsets, and the Asus board I'm probably going to be getting has got nothing but good reviews from the ones I've seen so far. But if you don't want an Asus I would say go for a gigabyte, I've always had a gigabyte before and found they are very good boards, and as you said listening to what is said on the helpdesk isn't a very good judgement as only people with problems go there.

**Desertfish** · #3 27th Jul 2008, 06:25

Well, I've been reading nothing but good reviews on Asus boards as well... that's the reason I went for them. However, in a timespan of 2 years, I had 3 boards prematurily failing on me and 1 DOA.

I also got what I call "my rule of 3" which applies to practically any situation, product going wrong, person causing trouble, etc... My rule is as follows:

1st time a problem occurs... no worries, it happens.
2nd time the same problem occurs... it must be a coincidence
3rd time... "ef-off".. this is no coincidence anymore.

If you count the DOA, Asus was given an extra chance but screwed that one up as well... so no matter how good the reviews, no Asus product is even entering my house anymore.

Thanks for the advise though... Incidentally I was already looking at a particular Gigabyte board

Cheers:
Chris

**thingie2** · #4 27th Jul 2008, 06:57

Oh, hadn't realised you had that many bad boards. have you decided what chipset yet?

**Desertfish** · #5 27th Jul 2008, 07:36

Nope... Undecided on the chipset. Carbon metioned somewhere to stay away from the X38 because of the poor BIOS support and the fact that it's running hot. His recomendation was the P35.

Now the P45 is on the market but I'm unable to find a good article explaining the differences between the P35 and P45.

Anyway... I'll do some more research, and hopefully in the mean time also get some recommendations and then take it from there.

Cheers:
Chris.

**thingie2** · #6 27th Jul 2008, 08:27

Well the reviews I have seen have said that the P45 isn't much different from the P35, and the X48 isn't much different from the X38.

**Desertfish** · #7 27th Jul 2008, 08:35

Just been reading Tom's Hardware... Apparently the P45 is also a lot more power hungry than the P35. If that is true, then I migth as well stick with the P35.

Also, the X38 seems to used for the higher-end motherboards. Some of the mid level ones have the features that I'm looking for already... hmmm... decisions, decisions...

**Carbon** · #8 27th Jul 2008, 15:45

Quote:

Carbon metioned somewhere to stay away from the X38 because of the poor BIOS support and the fact that it's running hot. His recomendation was the P35.

Not true anymore. Here's the relevant section from the new guide (WIP!)

Quote:

Best deal: The PX5 and PX1 lines have done well - P45 and P41 are both excellent choices. Make sure to pick something that supports a FSB of 1333 (most can), this will allow you to use the 45nm Wolfdale chips discussed above. FSB 1600 doesn't matter, unless you're running some crazy $1.5K processor.

Note that if you are considering a high-performance system and still want a single-slot motherboard, the 9800GX2 is not a bad idea. Despite its price, it is essentially a 8800GTS SLI setup in a box. However, it's usually cheaper and better for performance to get a real SLI/Crossfire board.

The Intel X38 and especially X48 chipsets have matured. They are no longer as hot and have much better BIOS. If you are looking to do Crossfire (which looks a lot better now then it did in the nVidia days), this is the best (and only) real choice.

As for SLI, there are two chipsets that'll support them (besides the old 650i and 680i). The 750i chipset, at least some versions/boards, can handle full x16 SLI (do NOT settle for x8 x8 or x16 x8 if you really want to do SLI!). The 780i has been plagued with issues, making it not the best pick right now. This may change in the future.

P41 is the best budget board right now. You could also pick up a P35 board, but the P41 is superior in essentially every way.

Future prospects? It's likely the 780i will get better, but the X48 is pretty well ironed out at this stage, and ATI is coming back from the dead. I wouldn't hesitate.

I would go X38/X48 at this point, but P45 is a really good chipset too.