I've been thinking and thinking over the past 2 weeks, on which motherboard and processor I've been looking for.

I've came to a conclusion, and will most likely get the following;

Gigabyte GA-N650SLI-DS4L motherboard (Dual SLI Intel Motherboard)
$123.20
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_...s_id=27943

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600/ 2.40GHz/ 2x4MB Cache/ 1066FSB/ LGA775
$254.10
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_...s_id=21959


If anyone has objections, or even something else to contribute, my usage of my computer are as the following.

MSN + Internet
Hard Gaming + Music
Photoshop (On it's own)

Is what i'm getting, what I need to be future proof?

Nothing is "future proof" but it looks good. I just hope that board doesn't give you grief like the last Gigabyte board I used. They seem to be particularly picky about memory.

Future proof meaning, so I don't have to buy anything extra within the next few years. x.x

It looks like they're still selling Rev1.0, at least that's what's ID'd at the Gigabyte website. Might consider waiting a couple months, in case they're trying to unload all the Rev1.0's before they make another revision available.

Not saying another rev is out there, but on motherboards, I prefer waiting until enough time has passed that Rev1.0 bugs (if any) are found by users (or the company) and dealt with.

What is this rev 1.0 or something stuff?

Newegg doesn't carry any Gigabyte 650i boards which means they have probably been discontinued. The 650i is an old chipset by computing standards so I suggest you look at 700 series or a P43/P45 board, especially if you are looking for "future proof." 600 series has limited support for newer Intel processors (Penryn).

Edit: This one costs the same amount but has a P43 chipset:
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_...s_id=33035

This is the one I had serious memory issues with:
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_...s_id=32187

Judging from reviews on Newegg, the board seems to work fine with G. Skill and OCZ sticks. I tried Corsair sticks and it would only work properly with F6 BIOS.

Sorry, i'm looking for an SLI motherboard. I should have mentioned this lol.

If you can find another motherboard on the site i'd be appreciative of you help dearly.

This is the cheapest SLI board I would consider that they carry:
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_...s_id=28868


If you don't mind me asking, why SLI? Generally speaking, dual video cards have little performance gain over single. It is really only worth considering it if you are running at a resolution of 1600x1200 or greater and even then, the performance really doesn't justify the price.

Matt Iskov said:
This is similar to the way the term might be used in software or firmware. "Rev 1.0" means "Revision" or "Version" 1.0. It's the first version of that "part" that they've actually produced on the manufacturing line...which if it's just been made available for sale, also usually means that it has only been exposed to a very limited amount of real-world exposure...possibly even just simulations and a few "standard" test configurations in the lab.

Because of that, like software or firmware, "1.0" versions can be "buggy" or have a problem when used with certain hardware or hardware drivers or combinations of same that the manufacturer simply didn't have available while testing (e.g. a certain video adapter, memory type, disk drive, etc )

Clearly the manufacturer can't test all possible configurations and some motherboard problems are identified and fixed only after exposure to thousands of users. Sometimes the problem can be fixed or "worked-around" with a firmware patch...other times, the only solution is a hardware revision.

And sometimes, a hardware revision is incremented not because of a "bug" fix, but simply when new and improved parts are used to build the motherboard. For example, using an improved Southbridge chipset design or something similar might get the "Rev 1.0" changed to "Rev 1.1".

Also like software, you usually want to be using the latest version/revision. (It should be noted that every now and then while trying to fix a problem or use new hardware, a manufacturer may screw-up a later revision and actually make things worse. But that is the exception.)

Why not wait for the new socket motherboards that support Nehalem? That is as close as future proof ad you can get.

Because then he would be waiting a year for an affordable processor and memory will probably still cost an arm and a leg. Nehalem isn't going to come out with a full line up like Core 2 did.

Your choice of cpu is good but that mobo dont do it,There much better choices with more up to date chipsets for the same money.

That place doesnt give you a whole lot of choices but you would be better off with a 750i mobo if you plan on SLI..But i dont recommend SLI unless you can afford it.Its usally better to buy the best single card you can afford.Plus this opens you to more choices for a better mobo.I had a 750i FTW that wouldnt OC my Quad very well but im using a cheap Asus P5K thats running my Quad at 3.8ghz rock solid .Which my FTW couldnt do and with less voltage than i was using to run 3.2ghz on the FTW
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_...s_id=28868

Thankyou for everyones replies.

Why SLI? I'm running at 1680x1050 and in a way, i'm trying to future proof my computer a bit more without having to purchase a 9800.

Okay, I won't go for that first motherboard I mentioned.
2 people posted the asus motherboard.
Why that one?
It looks nice, I just need to know why

Its a better chipset with more features and Asus just makes awesome boards.And since you linked us to a SLI motherboard we assumed you wanted SLI .Personally i think the x38 or x48 or even the p45 motherboard would be your best choice.Since you dont plan on SLI.And you could always get two 4850' s for less than $400 which beats an 280GTX.later down the road

Matt Iskov said:
It is the only 750i board that retailer offers.

Thanks for the replies.
I am actually planning on SLI.

That asus motherboard looks nice, should I get it?
It has everything else that I needs.

FordGT90Concept
For the price i'm looking for, around $150AUS, would you choose that Asus motherboard?

If not, possible you can find me another? O_O
I know this retailed doesn't have many, but it's one I really trust.
I also shop at i-tech.com.au and megapc.com.au if anyone wants to have a look around there.

Matt Iskov said:
"Planning" means you don't have two matching video cards now (or immediate future), correct? By the time you would buy the second card, you'd get more performance by buying a single new card. For example, rarely is two 9600 GT configured in SLI faster than one 9800 GTX which costs about $50 more than a single 9600 GT. SLI is only really useful if you already have the best available (e.g. GTX 280) and it still isn't enough.


Matt Iskov said:
Personally, I'd take a P43/P45 chipset because they are cheaper. If you can't be swayed to pass on SLI then yes, that Asus board is worth it.


Matt Iskov said:
There are several other 750i SLI boards out there but as far as I can tell, that Asus board is the only one they carry. I wouldn't spend money on a 650i SLI board because they are at least two years old which is a lifetime in the tech world.

FordGT90Concept said:

Thankyou so much for all of that.
Really, everything there helps

"Planning" to me means that I WILL have SLI in the future, MAYBE not with the card i've got now, but I know i'll definately get it.
So i'll grab a motherboard now, because I just want to really, lol.

Edit: Also, possible outcome for stock cooling OCing my 6600?

I think most reach 3.2 GHz stable on stock HSF. I don't have one though so someone else should be able to give you the details.

Fair enough, thankyou.
I've decided on it, and that is what i'm going to get.

1 last thing, if I run SLI, will the cards run at 16x and 16x? Or will they run at 8x 8x

750i SLI runs at x16 lanes each.
650i SLI runs at x8 lanes each or x16 and x4 when SLI is disabled.