Mobo chip sets?

thulium · 06-14-2007, 01:10 AM

I'm not a techie and don't have the time to keep up with most of the advances, so most of the articles and reviews I read is for specific problems or 'is this better than that.' My problem at the moment is I'm attempting to put together a gaming machine for my grandson that can also be used for high end Photoshop applications. I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a single GSU (the newer 2900) or PSI (two 8800 GSUs) and which Mobo to use. I've read reviews on Mobos based on the nForce4 chip set and also the 480.One said the 480 could only run in x8 x8 mode for SLI. Another article referenced a RD580 chipset that can run in x16 x16 mode for PSI. That particular article was for an AMD system so it may be that the RD580 was for AMD only?? Is either the 480 or nForce4 better for SLI than the other and which Mobo might one look at that has it? I'll probably be using WIn 64 Pro with 4 gigs of DDR2..........thanks

Houndog777 · 06-14-2007, 03:01 PM

My recommendation ( for what it's worth).
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
LGA775 Pentium D, Core 2 Processor
Nvidia nForce 650i SPP
Nvidia nForce 430i SLI MCP
2 PCI Express x16
Max 8GB of DDR2-533/667/800
8ch HD audio- nForce 430i

thulium · 06-14-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houndog777

My recommendation ( for what it's worth).
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
LGA775 Pentium D, Core 2 Processor
Nvidia nForce 650i SPP
Nvidia nForce 430i SLI MCP
2 PCI Express x16
Max 8GB of DDR2-533/667/800
8ch HD audio- nForce 430i

As I say, I'm not a teckie. What are the two Nvidia references too and why 8 gigs of ram?? Are you recommending this based on running Win 64 Pro? I don't want to go to Vista.

ebackhus · 06-14-2007, 10:42 PM

The two nVidia references refer to the two controllers on the board: The Northbridge and the Southbridge.

Windows XP x64 will allow for full use of a 64-bit CPU and allows you to break the 3GB limit imposed by Windows XP x32. Since he wants to do Photoshop it's vital to have lots of available RAM.

Since it's 2D work involved he won't need the power of an X2900 or an 8800 series. A basic little X300 or 6200 would do it with ease. SLI is completly unnecessary in this case.

Houndog777 · 06-15-2007, 02:22 AM

Hi Thulium, sorry my post looks confusing.
I was only recommending a motherboard; the MSI P6N SLI Platinum.
What I wrote underneath were the specs of the board.

I chose it, because it would be good for both gaming and photoshop play, is more modern than boards with the nForce4 or RD580 chipsets at much the same price and has very good reviews.
Read this....
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2099

thulium · 06-15-2007, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houndog777

Hi Thulium, sorry my post looks confusing.
I was only recommending a motherboard; the MSI P6N SLI Platinum.
What I wrote underneath were the specs of the board.

I chose it, because it would be good for both gaming and photoshop play, is more modern than boards with the nForce4 or RD580 chipsets at much the same price and has very good reviews.
Read this....
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2099

The computer will be mainly for gaming, not Photoshop. But, although Photoshop use will be secondary, I still will be using it quite a bit and that is why I am considering Win 64 Pro as the OS so I will not be limited to less than 4 gigs of RAM.

I believe a review I read on the MSI P6N Platinum said that when SLI was used the two cards only ran at x8 x8 instead of the full x16 x16. Are there any good Mobo that will run x16 x16 with SLI?.......thanks

Houndog777 · 06-15-2007, 04:35 AM

The ECS PN2 SLI2+ with nVidia 680i chipset puts out the full 16 PCI-E lanes to both video cards.
Bit expensive though.

ebackhus · 06-15-2007, 07:40 AM

I have a K9N Diamond board in my PC. It's running with an AMD 5200+ X2 processor and 2GB (8GB max) of DDR2 RAM. It also supports two video cards at 16x which is GREAT for SLI.

06-14-2007, 01:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
thulium Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 60 OS: XP	Mobo chip sets? I'm not a techie and don't have the time to keep up with most of the advances, so most of the articles and reviews I read is for specific problems or 'is this better than that.' My problem at the moment is I'm attempting to put together a gaming machine for my grandson that can also be used for high end Photoshop applications. I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a single GSU (the newer 2900) or PSI (two 8800 GSUs) and which Mobo to use. I've read reviews on Mobos based on the nForce4 chip set and also the 480.One said the 480 could only run in x8 x8 mode for SLI. Another article referenced a RD580 chipset that can run in x16 x16 mode for PSI. That particular article was for an AMD system so it may be that the RD580 was for AMD only?? Is either the 480 or nForce4 better for SLI than the other and which Mobo might one look at that has it? I'll probably be using WIn 64 Pro with 4 gigs of DDR2..........thanks

06-14-2007, 03:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Houndog777 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 2,683 OS: XPpro sp3 My System	Re: Mobo chip sets? My recommendation ( for what it's worth). MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA775 Pentium D, Core 2 Processor Nvidia nForce 650i SPP Nvidia nForce 430i SLI MCP 2 PCI Express x16 Max 8GB of DDR2-533/667/800 8ch HD audio- nForce 430i

06-14-2007, 10:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,964 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	Re: Mobo chip sets? The two nVidia references refer to the two controllers on the board: The Northbridge and the Southbridge. Windows XP x64 will allow for full use of a 64-bit CPU and allows you to break the 3GB limit imposed by Windows XP x32. Since he wants to do Photoshop it's vital to have lots of available RAM. Since it's 2D work involved he won't need the power of an X2900 or an 8800 series. A basic little X300 or 6200 would do it with ease. SLI is completly unnecessary in this case. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-15-2007, 02:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Houndog777 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 2,683 OS: XPpro sp3 My System	Re: Mobo chip sets? Hi Thulium, sorry my post looks confusing. I was only recommending a motherboard; the MSI P6N SLI Platinum. What I wrote underneath were the specs of the board. I chose it, because it would be good for both gaming and photoshop play, is more modern than boards with the nForce4 or RD580 chipsets at much the same price and has very good reviews. Read this.... http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2099 Last edited by Houndog777; 06-15-2007 at 02:23 AM. Reason: typo

06-15-2007, 04:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
Houndog777 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 2,683 OS: XPpro sp3 My System	Re: Mobo chip sets? The ECS PN2 SLI2+ with nVidia 680i chipset puts out the full 16 PCI-E lanes to both video cards. Bit expensive though.

06-15-2007, 07:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,964 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	Re: Mobo chip sets? I have a K9N Diamond board in my PC. It's running with an AMD 5200+ X2 processor and 2GB (8GB max) of DDR2 RAM. It also supports two video cards at 16x which is GREAT for SLI. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.