GA-EP43-DS3LR? That's the Newegg listing

[scwtlover]

but I can't find such a motherboard on the Gigabyte website or by searching this forum.

I'm looking for a motherboard to build a system on an (original version) Intel Quad 8200, which I just bought at Micro Center for $105. Until I saw the sale price, I was trying to decide among the e5200 and AMD 7750 and 5050e. So, want a "good enough" motherboard costing less than $120 delivered, and I wouldn't mind spending under $100. I do not plan on serious gaming.

Apart from the GA-EP43-DS3LR, which Newegg has for $92.58 delivered, I'd appreciate other suggestions and comments.

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP43-DS3LR? That's the Newegg listing

Here's a link to Gigabyte Mobos @ Newegg, sorted by price.
My recommendation:
EP45-UD3R for $104.95 (after rebate)
EP45-UD3P for $114.95 (after rebate)
EP45-UD3 is not listed.
Shipping is about $10, but might be free next week, it varies.

These mobos have additional features that you might want at some time in the future. Trying to save a few dollars now might cost you much more in the future if you need to by add-in cards.

The older P35 mobos are solid performers, but the minimal savings make the newer EP4x mobos a better buy.

[scwtlover]

Re: GA-EP43-DS3LR? That's the Newegg listing

Here's a link to Gigabyte Mobos @ Newegg, sorted by price.
My recommendation:
EP45-UD3R for $104.95 (after rebate)
EP45-UD3P for $114.95 (after rebate)
EP45-UD3 is not listed.
Shipping is about $10, but might be free next week, it varies.

These mobos have additional features that you might want at some time in the future. Trying to save a few dollars now might cost you much more in the future if you need to by add-in cards.

The older P35 mobos are solid performers, but the minimal savings make the newer EP4x mobos a better buy.

Thanks. If I'm thinking of the future, however, what about the EP45C-UD3R, which can use either DDR2 or DDR3 RAM?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP43-DS3LR? That's the Newegg listing

Incase you actually still wanted to see the GA-EP43-DS3LR board at Gigabyte's site >>
GIGABYTE - Product - Motherboard - Overview - GA-EP43-DS3LR (rev. 1.0)

I do agree with ProfJim though, P45 boards he mentions would be a MUCH better choice, even a P35 would be better then a P43

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP43-DS3LR? That's the Newegg listing

Take a look at this System Buyers Guide: $800 to $1800. Hint: use the "Print This Article" link in the middle left of the 1st page to view the article in its entirety.

Back when the first DDR2/DDR3 mobos came out, initial reviews were mediocre at best. I think that GB DDR2/3 mobos might have come out later. DDR3 is the future and prices have dropped quite a bit.

The UD3P and UD3R mobos are volume sellers, meaning that any needed bios updates will become available. Two years ago, I bought a GB N650SLI-DS4, which was a great board with minimal "issues". Unfortunately, the bios self destructed 3 weeks after I bought it and it wouldn't boot. The Newegg RMA was painless, and they sent me a new replacement. The 2nd mobo wouldn't overclock above 438 MHz (stable) no matter what I did. The first board overclocked to 491 MHz. My UD3P replaced my N650, even though the N650 still worked. I just wish I'd changed mobo's sooner.

What's my point? The N650 mobo was not a big seller and two years later, they had only offered 2 bios updates. From here on out I'm avoiding niche mobos. Maybe the combo ddr2/3 mobos will be around for a while, but at Newegg, the UD3P & R versions are outselling the combo mobo by more than 10:1 (each).

Read the Newegg reviews of each of these mobos, paying particular attention to the combo's reviews that are using DDR3 memory. Keep in mind that the combo mobo is ONLY DDR2 or ONLY DDR3, you can't run both at the same time.

Hope this helps.