Thinking about switching to an Intel chipset...

[Uberpwnage]

When I got this board, it was fairly new so I expected some of the issues to be worked out, and I also expected the 9800 GX2 too be on top for a bit longer, and was set on quad SLI. Once I realized however, that the GTX 280 was set for release this month, my quad SLI plans went down the drain, and I will be stepping up to the 280 upon release. I'm tired of the issues with this mobo, the random BSoD's, the RAM problems over DDR2 800, the video corruption issues, etc. It also seems that I don't have much use for an SLI board anymore because it looks like GTX 280 SLI will only be usable on socket 775, not on Nehalem which I will be upgrading to. As a result, I'm considering (painfully I might add) a DDR3 X48 mobo as a replacement until Nehalem.

Any recommendations for an X48? maybe even an X38, needs to be DDR3 as well. I was thinking about the DFI LP UT X48 T3R, or Foxconn BlackOps. For RAM, I plan on getting the 2x2GB G.Skill HZ DDR3 1600. GTX 280 SLI would be nice, as I will be upgrading to a 3008WFP later this summer, and need as much power as possible, but I dont want to just set one card aside when Nehalem comes. Any thoughts on the likelihood of Nvidia selling the SLI license to Intel and allow it on their X58 chipsets?

[SLippe]

I, too, feel myself finally getting away from AMD and going Intel. Hopefully soon, but who knows. Thing is, I have no idea what mobo, cup or ram to get.

I've had a P35 (Asus Pk5 SE) which I killed during a bios flash, but very easy overclocker, fast and stable as heck, and the X38 in my sig is rapidly becoming my favorite board since I started playing with computers.

The X38 bios has a larger learning curve than even the DFI Expert I had, but well worth it so far.

No regrets on going Intel.

[nekrosoft13]

i would say is useless upgrade at this time.

1) DDR3 is still useless and crazy expensive
2) nehalem is close
3) why bother with upgrades now?
4) what kind of proof do you have to blame any of your issues on the board?

[mcolbourn]

I would agree with grey that the X38 is a nice chipset and my DS5 is the best board I have owend.

IMO I would go for an X38 or P45 chipset (you can get both in DDR3 versions) unless you really want the top overclocker possible and then go for an X48 but they are only really the hand picked X38's and not worth the extra cost.

[nekrosoft13]

Originally Posted by slaWter

I agree.
And it's always a good time to get rid of a nV crapset board.

haha, you and your crapset, my NV chipset been going strong for close to 2 years now.

[mullet]

Originally Posted by nekrosoft13

haha, you and your crapset, my NV chipset been going strong for close to 2 years now.

But you realize you are a minority.

[nekrosoft13]

i know, there aren't that many Polish people we are minority

[mullet]

Originally Posted by nekrosoft13

i know, there aren't that many Polish people we are minority

you dork.

[Uberpwnage]

Other users are experiencing stability problems similar to mine with the QX9650 and a 2x2GB ram configuration, it seems to be the perfect storm of issues. I've been following the S2F thread over at XtremeSystems, and numerous people have claimed that their systems were more stable with the exact same hardware at lower voltages, just a different chipset - primarily one from Intel. The video corruption bug is known to be a nforce 700 series problem and ASUS has yet to fix it or respond to my email concerning it. Also, I was interested in a DDR3 board because I could just save the ram for Nehalem, but have the benefit in the Interim. P45 or X38 might be ok, I just want to be able to get the most out of my cpu and ram, and prefer as many options as possible.

Nekrosoft, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you have an ASUS nforce board do you? I'd probaby be ok with an EVGA nforce board, as many of these issues are unique to the S2F, but with SLI seeming like a waste, I figured I might as well not take a chance and go to Intel.

[nekrosoft13]

Originally Posted by Uberpwnage

Also, I was interested in a DDR3 board because I could just save the ram for Nehalem,

Nekrosoft, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you have an ASUS nforce board do you? I'd probaby be ok with an EVGA nforce board, as many of these issues are unique to the S2F, but with SLI seeming like a waste, I figured I might as well not take a chance and go to Intel.

yes, i have an EVGA, been very good to me. about the ram, by the time nehalem does come out, there will be better DDR3 and much cheaper DDR3 out. There is no point in waisting money on DDR3 now in hope of future.

[evox]

Originally Posted by nekrosoft13

yes, i have an EVGA, been very good to me. about the ram, by the time nehalem does come out, there will be better DDR3 and much cheaper DDR3 out. There is no point in waisting money on DDR3 non in hope of future.

+1

Get DDR2, wait for DDR3 to get cheap.