Help Choosing a Mobo

[CuRve]

I am not all to certain whats the best motherboard for my cpu I have which is a intel 650 p4 3.4 LGA 775. I've looked @ many of boards on sites and I've at least figured out I want the option for SLI so i need 2 16-x ports. I also know I want at least 4 or more gb's of ram option to upgrade to, and also Hyper Thread supported. What I am uncertain about is which ones have the best south and north bridge chips and which ones have a good layout. Any suggestions would be awesome. I am also trying to keep the cost 200 or less pending the mobo i might go higher. Thanks in advance

[Nine]

just curious.. why are you only buying a motherboard?

[CuRve]

Im not, I still need to get ram , a new case , psu ...but my question atm is just about mobo.

[Janus]

so when did you buy the CPU?

[CuRve]

bought it last week go to me today in the mail. what makes you ask 0.o

[thrash_head]

Why did you buy a CPU when you havn't even picked a motherboard?

[Zogo]

he's taking one step at a time..the computer will be ready in a few months.

[Nine]

wow that's such a waste of money.
you should buy it all at once.. it'll be cheaper and you'll get better stuff.

[CuRve]

Yes indeed Zogo. Heres the thing thrash, I got a helluva deal for this processor that I couldn't pass on, so I figured I'd get it and grab a mobo for it. Wasn't like I was planning a build around this cpu from the start.

I came across a few. If i didn't want to go sli, i think this looks like an awesome board.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2450796&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

If i want to run sli
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2366122&Tab=12&NoMapp=0

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247088&prodlist=bizrate.
Thoughts comments?
Also would it be a good idea to have a the chipset of the mobo and the cpu made by the same company?

[Janus]

whatever you do, do not by through tigerdirect.com their customer service is horrid.

[CuRve]

Like if theres a problem, or do they have bad product or ?

Unless you tell me some major horror story I think i am going to go with this board.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2366122&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

[Janus]

I think these speak for themselves:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1983.html

[CuRve]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131564R


Is it a bad thing that its an open box? Does it mean it was returned, or its refurbed or something? Thats a hellva deal for that processor, considering its normally 280. Someone shed some light on this "open box" deal.


NM found it
Such items can only be returned within 15 days of the applicable invoice date. Newegg.com cannot provide replacement service for these items, as their stock is limited. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of these items is with the buyer. These items have been tested for functionality, but may have superficial physical defects including (but not limited to) scratches, dings or dents. Should these items prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (not the manufacturer, distributor, or Newegg.com) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repairs, unless otherwise required by law. These items are not covered by any 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

[CuRve]

Well. Doing a lot of research, and a lot of thinking, I've come up with 2 boards I think suit my needs. One for SLI purposes if I go that route and one for none SLI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131031

Best reviews, allows me to upgrade my cpu if i want the dual core. Good Layout on the board, and allows me to run SLI.

If i decide not to go SLI then this board Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128323

I found to be a good one.

Both are priced around $ 230ish.