Sorry to trouble you all, new computer question!

Verios · May 19, 2008, 04:20 AM

Hiya guys, so I'm putting a few pieces together for a new comp (budget) and was curious to know if you guys could help me with some computability issues.

I'm curious to know if the following Processor/Motherboard and Ram will work together.

Processor: Intel Core2 Duo Processor E7200, 2.53GHz, 3MB Cache (45 nm, LGA775)

Motherboard: MSI P6N-SLI-FI

Memory: OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Rev. 2 Dual Channel DDR2 Kit

I've been hearing issues about the MSI P6N-SLI-FI having issues with memory and what not. Any help you guys could offer would be much appreciated!

Thanks guys!

***temeteus82*** · May 19, 2008, 04:53 AM

If you don't go for SLI solution get some cheap mobo with Intel's P35 chipset. I think it will suite your needs better.

BlueMak · May 19, 2008, 06:06 AM

There is no need to pay the extra money for a SLI motherboard for a budget system unless you have a definite time schedule for buying the other graphics card. Most people who don't, buy an SLI motherboard and never ever buy a second graphics card. Save some money that way.

***Veridian3*** · May 19, 2008, 07:43 AM

Because that board uses the 650 chipset it will have originally had the same memory compatibility issues that affect many of the Nvidia 6 series products. Things have improved a lot since the launch though and as long as you make sure the latest bios is on the board as soon as you can you should be fine.

This tool will set up a usb drive to flash the bios: Login (you need a msi forum account to get it)

Verios · May 19, 2008, 05:15 PM

Was thinking of getting these parts instead:

Intel Core™2 Duo Processor E8400 3.00GHz w/ 6MB Cache (45 nm, LGA775)

MSI P35 Neo Combo-F w/ Dual DDR2 / DDR3, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, PCI-E x16

Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)

The motherboard doesn't have as many features as others. But it's a bit cheaper and is designed for the new 45nm processors. Only has the 1 PCI-E x16 slot (but I don't do SLI or Crossfire...always just buy the best new single card *chuckles*). Since I was able to cut my cost a little on the MB I was able to bump up my processor to the 8400 (which I hear is really good) and the ram should work ok with that motherboard (SPD programmed at 5-5-5-12-2T latency settings at 1.9V supposibly).

The only thing I'm a wee bit worried about is that P35 Neo Combo-F BIOS is supposibly a little funky in that you can't change some voltages for the memory and what not (don't know how much truth there is to that) but you can set it to tune from the SPD on the ram chip ... anyone know anything about that?

***Veridian3*** · May 19, 2008, 09:45 PM

We/I reviewed a very similar model and the voltage choices in that were fine, you can see it here: http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/...atinumbios.php

**kris23** · May 19, 2008, 10:55 PM

heres what you should do, get rid of the E8400, and get a Q6600, the general rule of thumb is that any quad core can beat any dual core.

get rid of the memory and get something with better chips such as the Crucial 2x2GB sticks Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

theres really no difference in price between the Q6600 and E8400