[jtom617]

Hey guys, here is my situation, i ordered the expensive STRIKER EXTREME motherboard, and after reading alot about it form users, and comparing even furthur, i have seen that the board is very picky with memory, and is very overpriced. I was wondering what your opinions are of the board, right now i'm thinking of not even opening the box from newegg when it comes today, and sending it back for a refund, but then i have to get charged for the restock Fee..

but i was considering of getting this board: it has solid reviews and looks really good, with a better price than the striker extreme.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188013

The board is a EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1

I plan on getting SLI with getting another 8600GTS. And i preordered a Q6600.

Any thoughts on a different board than the striker or EVGA? please let me know, i am still not sure if i will keep the striker or not. Since the board is picky with memory, and has alot of other issues.

thanks

 

[JacKz5o]

The eVGA is a good board, instead of getting two 8600GTS why don't you get a single 8800GTS? One 8800 will outperform two 8600GTS easily.

 

[SomeDooD]

eVGA 680i is a good board, and ya. Go for a 8800 series.

 

[Ninja_Boy]

I agree with JacKz5o. I would get a good P35 Chipset motherboard to go with your Quad, or wait until X38 motherboards come out (in Q4'07).

NiNja

 

[Murlocke]

I vote the evga 680i, and dude... getting 2x 8600GTS is pointless, just get 1 8800GTX or GTS, one 8800 will perform better than 2x 8600.

 

[Mhill2029]

You also have to remember that all 680i boards (except EVGA's A1) have FSB limitations when overclocking. Most can barely hit 1400(QDR) and be stable....anything higher forget about it no POST.

The EVGA 680i A1 is by far the best Quad Core board due to the FSB limitation being fixed, and it has great SLI support too. I might sell my board and get the EVGA myself if Asus doesn't sort my board out.

 

[Choggs396]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murlocke I vote the evga 680i, and dude... getting 2x 8600GTS is pointless, just get 1 8800GTX or GTS, one 8800 will perform better than 2x 8600.

I agree. I have the Evga 680i (A1 Revision) and it makes overclocking easy, yet gives you many options putting you in complete control. I very easily obtained my desired (and stable) 400FSB.

And 1 8800GTS 320MB will easily outperform 2 8600GTS in SLI (and cost less, too).

 

[t4ct1c47]

In my opinion, the P5N32-E SLi makes a better board. I'm pretty sure cognoscenti managed to hit over 400FSB with her Core 2 Quad.

 

[Choggs396]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t4ct1c47 In my opinion, the P5N32-E SLi makes a better board.

Why?

 

[Mhill2029]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t4ct1c47 In my opinion, the P5N32-E SLi makes a better board. I'm pretty sure cognoscenti managed to hit over 400FSB with her Core 2 Quad.

Not quite
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc?id=199622

 

[Knitelife]

I have yet to see a SLI board that will OC a quad as well as some of the non SLI boards. This is certainly a shame, but fact non the less. Not to say you cant get a good OC out of a SLI board, you just wont be able to get the highest OC possible. That is the tradeoff right now going with a Quad + SLI. The X38 may change this, but that still remains to be seen. If you go with what the others have suggested, a single 8800 will outperform your 8600s in SLI. The P35 chipset has proven to be a good Quad overclocker, so that may be a option if you are going with on card.

Summary of options:
1.) Go with one of the SLI recomendations above, you will get your SLI and a good Quad OC.
2.) Go with the single non SLI card as others have suggested, and get a P35 chipset motherboard and have better potential overclocking of the Quad.
3.) Wait for the X38, or something like it from nvidia, and maybe get the best of both worlds, but no promises.

 

[jtom617]

Ok, the box just arrived for my Striker Extreme motherboard. And for the graphics card. I will probably do what you all suggested and sell my 8600gts, and use that money towards a 8800 card. Also, should i go ahead and get a RMA for this striker and get the evga board? or should i try the striker and return it in a few weeks after i have my chip? i hear its very picky on memory, and my ballistix memory isnt in the QVL list for the ram on the board... Please let me know what you all would do in my shoes, becuase i would rather just not open the box that arrived at all, and just return it, and bite the restocking bullet.

i just want a good system that will have no trouble, and my a8n-sli deluxe board form 2 years ago, had to be rmaed 2 times... also my first Athlon XP board.. Thanks agian

 

[ThePope]

EVGA board have issues with the quad core. I am not sure if they fixed the issue yet though....

 

[Murlocke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePope EVGA board have issues with the quad core. I am not sure if they fixed the issue yet though....

Fixed along time ago.. Thats what the A1 release of the board was, the ARs are not sold anymore.

 

[jtom617]

Ok enough said, i am going to RMA this motherboard for a refund, its new, havent even opened the box, i would feel better getting the evga board.

EDIT: newegg will not allow me to get a refund for the Striker Extreme board, so it looks like i'm stuck with it after all..

Anyways, about the graphics card, what is the best decision on that, should i get the 8800 GTX? its very expensive so i will plan on only getting one, then another later on.

 

[jtom617]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePope EVGA board have issues with the quad core. I am not sure if they fixed the issue yet though....

Thats weird, your sig says different..

Also, for the system, i am planning on getting a good powersupply, here is what i have picked out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256007