Core 2 Duo, while keeping your old stuff.

[supersunbird]

I just saw this wierd Asus board (P5PE-VM), it is Core 2 Duo motherboard, but its based on the Intel 865 chipset and thus it features AGP and DDR and only PCI slots. So if you want to upgrade but you're on a budget (the motherboard isnt expensive), maybe this is a good option since you can use your old RAM without much of a performance decrease.

Only drawback is that upgrading in the future with new graphics cards is a problem and DDR is slowly getting more expensvie than DDR2, but if you are not a gamer, that should not be a problem. Just telling you all this so you know whats on the market and can look out for it if interested.

 

[PHTech]

Hey.
I went to Asus' site and saw that M/board. Thats freakin weird that u can run any LGA775 CPU on that chipset. I think u will lose a lot of performance when using the LGA 775 CPU's as that chipset were a hit with the PGA478. What I also think is that the Intel 865G chipset won't support all the features of the Duo CPU's.

Also, when u run an Intel Duo, or the BIG Intel range CPU's then it only predicts helluva system instabilities.

On the other side, I think its nice for backwards compatibility issues. For someone who's budget is a little tight, I think that board is OK for an upgrade, and if one have used DDR400 and can still use it.

Personally I wouldn't buy that board. I think if someone wants to go big, spend big. Its proven that u WON'T get performance with cheap stuff. Asus is nice, but I would stay away from this board.

Thanx

 

[supersunbird]

Now you make me want to buy it and give it a go!

 

[LabAnimal]

why spend any money on a half baked melon!. Either do it properly, or don't do it at all!.

 

[Artagra]

Client bought one of these the other day - was very impressed. It's great if you have a slightly older system with a high end AGP GFX card and lots of DDR memory - say a 6800 ultra and 2x1gb DDR 400 - add a 6400 and that board and you have an awesome system.

Artag

 

[PHTech]

Thats okay if the client is impressed. Like I said, its great for backwards compatibility, and if u used older components and want to upgrade a little bit.

I can say, the 865 chipset range, were very good in its days. Theres still people using the chipset that I know of, and they are still very pleased with that PC's

It were just a little funny to see an Intel LGA775 CPU running with that chipset!