Just wanted to get some opinions. I am in the process of building a new system with an Inter E6750. The motherboard that I have highly considered is an EVGA 680i model:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...9&Sku=E145-2011I was originally considering a P35 motherboard, but noticed that the second PCIe graphics slot only runs at 4x instead of 16x:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813127030One of the things that I wish to do with FSX is run multiple monitors from multiple graphics cards, so I thought it would make the most sense to go with the EVGA 680i model because it has two PCIe slots that run at 16x and an additional PCIe slot that runs at 8x.This is my first build since 2002 and how things have changed, but I wanted to get your wise feedback to see if I am doing the right thing from a hardware perspective.Thanks all.

Wait for Intel's X38 Chipset, they will have cual 16x PCI-E slots. 680i can be a huge PITA if you plan to OC' on certain revisions. P35's are great for OC'ing but looks like your planning on going Sli at some point so its pretty much out of the equation.

I agree. In 2-3 weeks the X38 will be available. But remember, the P35s won't SLI, only Crossfire. Nvidia and Intel aren't getting along too well right now, so don't expect SLI on the X38s either (we'll see shortly, though). But there's nothing to worry 'bout with that second 4X PCI-e Vcard slot. PCI-e 4X is still plenty of racetrack (buss speed capacity) for a second race car (Vcard), SLI'd/Crossfire'd or just to run another set of monitors. PCI-e 16X is still massive overkill. Dual 16X just doubles the overkill. It's all just marketing hyperbola.

Thanks for the information. So what would the benefit of x38 be over P35 and 680i in terms of system performance? Also, I am not interested in Crossfire or SLI, but you mentioned that 4x is enough for running multiple monitors. Would 16x give better performance?

I would stay away from that version of the 680i - it's a stripped down model and does not overclock well. The Evga 680i Revision A1 would be better. I had no problem going from the stock 2.4 of the q6600 to 3.6 with that motherboard.VicQ6600 G0 CPU 2.4 o/c 3.6Evga 680i A1 with P30 BIOS 2G XP2-8500 DDR2 1066FSB Mushkin 996535 RAM 5-5-4-12-2T320G 7200 HD partitioined for XP/Vista/Programs 2 - 74G Raptors in RAID0 500G 7200 HD for backup SATA DVD burner Evga 8800GTS 640 PCIx Kandalf LCS case w/ built in liquid cooling 850W Thermaltake power supplyVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/

Thanks for the information. Could you please expand on what is stripped down about the board, as well as how or why it does not overclock well. Also, when I looked for the A1 version, I actually found two A1 versions. One A1 version, which is $169.99 after rebate, only had 2 PCIe Graphics slots and I am really intrigued with 3 PCIe slots:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...984796&CatId=13The other A1 version, which is 229.99 after rebate, does have 3 PCIe slots, but to cost is significantly higher than the budget allows:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...945260&CatId=13I don't know how much overclocking I would do, but do you think the TR version would overclock well enough.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...089879&CatId=13Thanks very much.

IP-35 pro..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813127030

There is no performance difference between the 965/P35s and the 680is.PCI-e 16X will not give better performance because PCI-e 16X is still massive overkill. Dual 16X just doubles the overkill. It's all just marketing hyperbola. Once again, remember, PCI-e is a BUSS. The racetrack does not MAKE the car go fast. It ALLOWS the car to go fast. PCI-e 8X is more than enough capacity for any primary Vcard(s). A second (non-SLI'd/Xfire'd) Vcard does NO video processing. It only provides additional plug-ins for the primary Vcard. 4X is completely adequate for this second Vcard. The 680i provides finer tuning of ram speed control, but the downside is they can be glitchy. Some memory modules works, some don't. Memory tweaking is fun to play with, but provides no performance advantage. Initially, their SATA II implementation was buss limited at 120MB/sec (375MB/sec is SATA II's speed capability). Raid 0-ing on the 680is did not provide any advantage. That might be fixed now. Don't know. Others report FSB walls and O/C-ing limited to only low levels. Vic's EVGA 680i worked, but I really had my fingers crossed as it was coming up. They don't aways come out that well. Asus's version of that board is a mess. If you must use the 680i, use Vic's Ram, CPU, Mobo, PS parts, exactly. We know they work. Any of the P35 based boards are OK and "just work." The only real difference between the P35 and the X38 is PCI-e 2.0 support, however this is a non-issue. The slot did not change and the 32X (worth of "racetrack") the X38's PCI-e 2.0 provides will not be necessary for years . . . way beyond your next upgrade cycle.

I have the EVGA nForce 680i with an X6800 OC'd to 3.466GHz, with 2GB OCZ DDR2-8500, 2 x EVGA 8800 GTX..currently running a single 24"W in SLi mode(but often hook up 4 monitors). Had this rig for 9 months now..before P35 was released so can't compare. Just to let you know that it has been very stable and very fast.RegardsJim

Good information Jim. You did mention that I should go for the A1 version of the 680i board, however, the A1 version of the board that would have three PCIe slots is around $230 and I really can only spend about $150 on a motherboard. Do you see any big issues with going with the TR version of the board. I guess another question that I have is being that the TR version has 3 PCIe graphics slots, could the TR version board actually be used to run 6 monitors with 3 graphics cards? Thanks.Board References:A1 Version (~$230)http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...945260&CatId=13TR Version (~$150)http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...089879&CatId=13

Mike - It's the more $$ version, of course! :)All I can say about the TR is that there are many people over at the Evga forum that are returning or swapping the TR for the A1. BUT their main reason is the overclocking. I would also imagine that there are SOME people who have had good success with the TR with the right combination of parts.I can't speak to the P35 - the only other motherboard I tried was the Asus P5N32E SLI and it would not overclock the quad chip so I returned it.It still will boil down to what you are ultimately going to do with it. Will you stay with nVidia graphics or switch to ATI? Some of these decisions will determine which mobo is going to be best.However - with the amount of $$ you are planning on this system - I would NOT, say again, *NOT* - scrimp on the motherboard. If that isn't right, all the other stuff can become expensive decorations. VicQ6600 G0 CPU 2.4 o/c 3.6 stableEvga 680i A1 with P30 BIOS 2G XP2-8500 DDR2 1066FSB Mushkin 996535 RAM 5-5-4-12-2T320G 7200 HD partitioined for XP/Vista/Programs 2 - 74G Raptors in RAID0 500G 7200 HD for backup SATA DVD burner Evga 8800GTS 640 PCIx Kandalf LCS case w/ built in liquid cooling 850W Thermaltake power supplyVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/

> Vic's EVGA 680i worked, but I really had my fingers>crossed as it was coming up. They don't aways come out that>well.LOL! You're not the only one who had his fingers crossed. Especially since I was using non approved ram. I happen to like the folks over at Mushkin and have always had good luck with their products.In retrospect, with the exception of my *beep* fiasco which had nothing to do with the system really, the overclock went as smooth as glass with the Evga Board - the Asus board gave me fits. Interesting enough, when I got the second Evga board due to my mysterious beep - I just plugged in the FSB figure first time and went straight to 3.6 with no problem.VicQ6600 G0 CPU 2.4 o/c 3.6Evga 680i A1 with P30 BIOS 2G XP2-8500 DDR2 1066FSB Mushkin 996535 RAM 5-5-4-12-2T320G 7200 HD partitioined for XP/Vista/Programs 2 - 74G Raptors in RAID0 500G 7200 HD for backup SATA DVD burner Evga 8800GTS 640 PCIx Kandalf LCS case w/ built in liquid cooling 850W Thermaltake power supplyVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/

You did mention that I should go for the A1 version of the 680i board, however, the A1 version of the board that would have three PCIe slots is around $230 and I really can only spend about $150 on a motherboard. Do you see any big issues with going with the TR version of the board. I guess another question that I have is being that the TR version has 3 PCIe graphics slots, could the TR version board actually be used to run 6 monitors with 3 graphics cards?Sorry can't personally recommend the TR because I've not experienced it, however, I'd be pretty confident it will do a good job..BUT..the Motherboard is the backbone of the PC and should be your No1 priority as you can easily upgrade the other components.In theory you could run 6 monitors by utilising the 3rd Graphics slot..I have tried 6 monitors on 4 ports..one port driving a Matrox TH2GO running 3 Projectors (3072x768) 2x30" Widescreens (resolution halved to 1280x800 each) and a 17" Touchscreen at 1024x768. Haven't tried utilising the 3rd Graphics slot though... so not much help there either!!Jim

I agree with your comment about the motherboard being the backbone of the system. In an earlier post in this thread, Vic (vgbaron) said the same thing, so I will take your wise advice. Luckily, I found the T1 version of the board on Zip Zoomfly for $170 with rebate and free shipping, and I think that's going to be my board. The T1 version is the same as the A1 version, except it does not contain as many Sata cables or a Serial port bracket, extra USB bracket, or extra firewire bracket. Put this together with an Intel e6750 and I should be in good shape. Good comments from everyone. Much appreciated and I hope others that are reading this thread got something good out of all the comments.Link for the MB:http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetai...ductCode=246712By the way Jim, what kind of performance are you getting by using a second card for the widescreens? I am assuming that the widescreens are used for instrument panels. Does the use of a secondary card affect the performance on your main card that runs the projectors?

By the way Jim, what kind of performance are you getting byusing a second card for the widescreens? I am assuming thatthe widescreens are used for instrument panels. Does the useof a secondary card affect the performance on your main cardthat runs the projectors?The Projector and Widescreen set up was used specifically for GenerationX Photoscenery so Autogen was set to zero. Never implemented the Touchscreen..that was going to be for a Central Warning Panel..haven't got round to writing the Gauge module for it. But with a 3072x768 Projected outside view and a combined instrument panel(2D) of 2560x800 FS2004(with Horizon VFR Mesh & Scenery) was in excess of 50fps and FSX (Horizon GenX scenery) 20-30fps RegardsJimPicture with only one of the Widesceens attached (DELL 30")http://hometown.aol.co.uk/JimCooper1/simpit3.JPG