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Opinions on GA-EP35C-DS3R

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by d3lt4, Feb 27, 2008.

  1. d3lt4

    d3lt4 Member

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    I'm looking to build an affordable game box and have come across the GA-EP35C-DS3R. What are your thoughts on it and is there something else you'd reccomend in its place around the $150 price range?

    Thanks

    oh and I'm working with the following hardware thus far since I already have it:
    DDR2 PC2-5300 667mhz
    GeForce 7300LE 256mb/64bit DDR2
    Seagate 250gb SATA
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2008
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    I have the GA-P35C-DS3R, not sure what the E does, but suffice to say it'll be a great board. You'd make better use of it with slightly higher grade hardware though, it has to be said.
     
  3. abuzar1

    abuzar1 Senior member

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    That's a good board. You're not going to be doing much gaming on that video card though.
     
  4. d3lt4

    d3lt4 Member

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    What would you suggest I upgrade to if I were to purchase a better graphics card and whatnot? Keep in mind, I'm trying to keep this thing affordable and that I'm not looking to play a lot of cutting edge games.
     
  5. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Well it really depends which games you're going to want to play.

    Also, which CPU are you planning to use?
     
  6. d3lt4

    d3lt4 Member

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    I was leaning towards the Intel E4500 or Intel E6750 but haven't yet made that decision.

    I'm looking to play:
    Dawn of Magic
    AOE(all editions)
    Call of Duty 3 (maybe 4)
    Battle for Middle Earth II
    Maybe Loki
     
  7. Icanbe

    Icanbe Guest

    As others have said, That is a great board, I've had mine for almost a year now and have had no problems.

    As for cards the ati 3870 and nivida 8800gt are pretty good for the money.

    But it really comes down to on how much you want to spend.
     
  8. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    yeah you'll want a much better card for those games, you could get an HD2600XT they're quite cheap.
     
  9. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    The "E" is like for energy saving, a good board, too bad it can only support up to DDR3 1333.

    @Sam
    Are you online everyday?
     
  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Pretty much, why ask?
     
  11. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    well you always reply to threads pretty quick, and you reply to many of them

    by the way, i know i ask this question thousands of times, but is X38 good? and should i get a X38 mobo?
     
  12. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    sorry double post
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2008
  13. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    I seriously don't see that much to be gained in getting an X38 board unless you're going to be using dual graphics etc. - A P35 is fine for even high end gamers.
     
  14. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    what about X48? is there any improve in performance
     
  15. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    If there is, I'd be very surprised if it warrants the cost difference. I also heard a rumour that X48 will be DDR3 only, don't know if that's true or not.
     
  16. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    it might be true if you think about it, there aren't many X38 that supports DDR3, so X48 might just support it, i was thinking if my uncle would buy me 2 x 1GB of DDR3 1600, it's bloody expensive!
     
  17. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Indeed it is. nearly £300 over here if you want 4GB of the stuff. Compare that to £60 for 4GB of XMS2 PC6400 CAS4...
     
  18. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    i know, so i think i should get 8GB of RAM if possible, i was thinking of going back to P35, plus i only found out that HD3870 X2 does not support PCI-E 2.0...thats odd
     
  19. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Why do you need 8GB of RAM? I can't fill 3GB, no matter what I do, I just can't do it?
     
  20. GTR35

    GTR35 Active member

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    no for a Vista system, 8GB is needed, i'll be having dual boot by the end of this year. XP SP3 is way better than vista apparently
     

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