Motherboard Help Needed!

[Hurgymcgurgygurg]

Okay, I'm getting ready to build my next computer so I've got the basic specifications already decided, although if you see a problem or have something better let me know:

I already have a nice key board, mouse, and monitor, so I don't need those things.

What I am thinking of:

CPU

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

Case

Rosewill TU-155 Black 0.8mm SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W ATX12V Version 2.2 Power Supply

GPU

512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GT

Ram

OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

OS

Windows Vista® Home Premium 64 Bit

Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM


Now here is my delima... I like all the above, especially the fact that it is really amazing that all of this is around $750 and still has a lot of power. The problem is, I like to start out with something like this and upgrade so, I look for a VERY future proof motherboard for when I switch over to DDR3, a new CPU, etc...

One motherboard I am really liking for its future proofing options is below, the only problem is it does not support SLI, and I was planning on getting an additional 8800 GT, about 6-10 months after I get this rig running to help keep it going... So I need some suggestions on an SLI motherboard that is future proof and not $200-250+.

Motherboard Ideas- GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Retail

I am not the best at this, so if there is any other recommendations you have please let me know...

Thank you!

[Brain]

if you wanna future PROOF your comp you will pretty much need a sli capable one.....
also...you cant "upgrade" to DDR3...you'll have to buy the DDR3 mobo now, and the DDR3 RAM, which are both still expensive

[tarajunky]

Some motherboards offer both DDR2 and DDR3 slots on the same board. You can't use them both at the same time, but it helps on the future proofing a little bit.

[KoKouKo]

if you wanna future PROOF your comp you will pretty much need a sli capable one.....
also...you cant "upgrade" to DDR3...you'll have to buy the DDR3 mobo now, and the DDR3 RAM, which are both still expensive

Some motherboards offer both DDR2 and DDR3 slots on the same board. You can't use them both at the same time, but it helps on the future proofing a little bit.
That's what I thought and that was true at the beginning stages of DDR3, but times have evolved and the motherboard he chose along with a few others on the market support both DDR2 and DDR3. I have only seen Intel chipsets support both formats currently.



If you want to or plan to run SLI you need an nvidia chipset (unless you pot for a skulltrail...), I would goto different sites such as evga, gigabyte and asus and look at all the nvidia boards in your price range then just compare them.

Also future proofing at this moment is really a lot of stuff, SLI, DDR3 and PCI 2.0.

Also why does nobody consider crossfire and ati. Intel at the moment is the only company that has motherboards that support both DDR2 and DDR3. The only intel board that supports SLI is the skulltrail, so if you want a DDR2 and DDR3 board you need an intel board which means if you want dual gpu, single monitor then you're stuck with crossfire.

Overclocking is also a factor in buying a board.

[Hurgymcgurgygurg]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm guessing nothing is wrong with my selections right now then... I'll keep looking for a SLI mobo with DDR3 then that is cheap enough... Probably might have to get DDR3 ram since odds are as Kokou said, a SLI mobo does not support both.

[KoKouKo]

If that mobo supports crossfire just get ati cards

[T-BOLT]

I don't wanna say you dont know what you are sayin/doin
But best option for you is to contact a specialist at a computer part provider
He should be able to give you a very good combination
(Do not try 2 ask intel or other company cuz they will only advertise their products)

[Hurgymcgurgygurg]

If that mobo supports crossfire just get ati cards

Sorry NVIDIA fan boy right now... The 8800 GT is too much of a deal to get a crossfire mobo.