Recommend me a mother board?

I'm looking to build a new system but I don't know which motherboard to go with.

I'm going to be using an HD3850 video card that I got recently, so I'd like to have something that is crossfire compatible if possible.

I will be purchasing a core 2 duo processor, and my preferred price is below $200 if possible.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

asus, evga, intel are probably the better boards.


Though you can certainly find decent offerings from MSI and Gigabyte.

Here a Core 2 Duo for under $200:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

For motherboards I'd go with Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte P35s which are affordable and supports crossfire.

Here a Core 2 Duo for under $200:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

For motherboards I'd go with Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte P35s which are affordable and supports crossfire.

The problem with P35 motherboards and Crossfire is that since the secondary pci-x slot only has 4 lanes (as opposed to 16 on the main slot), crossfire performance takes a hit as opposed to boards with dual x16 slots. You are in a awkward position if you want an intel cpu and amd video cards. Since 975X is outdated, and given the P35 shortcomings listed above, your only choice is X38, which is fairly expensive compared to the other two.

asus, evga, intel are probably the better boards.


Though you can certainly find decent offerings from MSI and Gigabyte.

I'd +1 the above but -1 the MSI and gigabyte. I'd also like to add a +1 to Abit. Nice boards. Good luck.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I'm going to go with a P35 motherboard.... I'd like to run crossfire eventually, but it isn't a priority so the performance drop off isn't likely to bother me.

I'd +1 the above but -1 the MSI and gigabyte. I'd also like to add a +1 to Abit. Nice boards. Good luck.

I don't know, Abit puts out ok products for AMD, but I'm not sure they've been there of late. The Fatality line is overpriced (you're paying for a name) and some of their other products aren't where they used to be.

I've built about 6 systems with Gigabyte boards and I've found they're pretty good. I'd rather go with most ASUS products, but I wouldn't overlook a decent Gigabyte with decent features.

MSI has some well priced mid range products. Performance wise, you're not getting a ASUS, but they're certainly an option.


Evga is in my latest build, and I was semi-happy with it. I had to RMA one of them because the socket pins on the board were mashed up and 2 of them were too long (no idea how that works out) and I wasn't about to spend time having to work them out when it was a good 250 dollar board. Sent it back and the second one was set to go.

i love asus, especially if you have an amd processor. i have an older model motherboard. the a8n-sli deluxe but i only one 1 video card

Thanks again.

I was looking at the Intel chips because I had heard less than positive things about the newer AMD chips. I built my last system about 4 years ago, and didn't really follow up with the technology after doing it, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

Would I be just as well off going with an AMD processor and board? Or are the Intels that much better as I have heard?

Thanks again.

I was looking at the Intel chips because I had heard less than positive things about the newer AMD chips. I built my last system about 4 years ago, and didn't really follow up with the technology after doing it, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

Would I be just as well off going with an AMD processor and board? Or are the Intels that much better as I have heard?

Intel is better at the moment.

The only way I would suggest an AMD is if you already had an AM2 board (but you most likely don't), and wanted a quad core on the cheap - for $200, you could drop a Phenom into it, and go on your merry way.

But if building a completely new system, just go for an Intel.