Getting all my ducks in a row for new system build.. I only fill my head with the "tech talk" when I need it so have to get up to speed now.I'm looking at the Asus MBs and can only see a chip set difference between the Asus P4C800 Deluxe or a P4P800 Deluxe. Is this correct ?P4P with the 865PEP4C with the 875P Any real advantage in one over the other for sims ?In the past I've built with Asus and Soyo and have had good systems with both (for their time)So far, I'm planing on using: P4 3.2 CPU (with Thermaltake volcano 7+ HSF cooler) 1gb DDR PC3200 400mhz,(with memory cooling fan) ATI Radeon 9800Pro 120gb WD HDAudigy 2 sound card 450w power supply with 5 fan caseWindows XP home edition Subject to change with advice from your "voice of exerience" :-)Thanks,BTW, I tried to search for this info first but the old Avsim is bogged down for me.

I am sorta in the same boat you are, considering new system, from what I have read is go with the 875P chipset, defiently worth the extra.

There is little to NO difference between the two chipsets. The only real factor that seperates them is cost.I've had both chipsets, I used to run an IC7, I'm currently running the P4P800.Save a few bucks, go for the Asus P4P800 :)

I too have the lower priced P4P with the 865PE chipset and it seems to be working fine. I only have a P4 2.8 GHz so I know my system is not being put to it's full potential.Terry

I just bought a P4C800 Deluxe Retail box for $160, so it's not THAT much more expensive. The 865 chipset is basically the same as the 875. Supposedly the 875 is the only one that takes advantage of HT or something like that? Funny thing is that with correct BIOS they will do the same thing. In fact, I can't remember why I bought the C instead of the P. It works really well for me though. Good luck in whatever you choose! Regards,DrewKLGBp.s. If you are building your own PC up from scratch, I highly recommend pricewatch.com. It is a VERY extensive website that tracks prices.

I own both the P4P800 and the P4C800 and to be quite honest, the differences are marginal at best. The P4P800 gives the best bang for the buck and in some cases can actually be as fast if not faster than it's canterwood brother. Both chipsets are excellent....it all boils down to your wallet and how much you want to spend.Mike

Thanks all, I'll watch for a good deal on a P4C but will not fear if I end up with a P4P then :-)I see that I could save enough money to go with best ATI 9800 video card if I drop down to the P4 3.0C CPU rather than the 3.2 at this time.. I'm thinking it might just work out better for sims.Also have to consider the latest on-board sound cards, have they been improved to the point that they work with most sims now ? I can always add one later without too much dollar penalty...

From what I have read, heard and seen there a little to no difference between the two. I have a P4P800 myself and it is very stable and fast [sometimes even faster than the p4c800]. Good when you're overclocking.I highly recommend the P4P800.*:-*

Ahh I guess youre in the same boat i was in a couple weeks ago. If your definately getting the Asus board there is basically no advantage in getting the Canterwood 875 Chipset board over the Sprindale Chipset 865PE. Asus enabled the "pat" performace acceleration technology on the springdale boards so in essence your best buy would be to get a P4P800 or a P4P800 (deluxe if you want IDE raid in addition to the sata raid found on both models) I wouldnt recommend spending so much more for the Canterwood chipset with no real performance advantage. In addition .. i just noticed on the Asus site that the p4p800 will support the new intel prescott processor so that means you wont have to change the board for a while.You can read up on these at Toms Hardware GuideLost bitsmotherboard.organandtech

>If your definately getting the Asus board...Well, no, I'm not married to the idea but I know from past use that they are good company with good boards etc. My Soyo that I'm using now has been great as well. I have not even looked at new Soyo boards at all for some reason. I guess because I saw the Asus being used in many high end systems so far.Glad to know I don't have to spend the extra money on P4C. No matter how I figure it though, it still takes $1400. -$1700. to make it work with P4 , ATI 9800 Pro , 1024 of 3200 memory.Thanks for the input,

Have the P4C and have been tickled pink with the thing. Have no reason to believe the other board would not do quite well also.For what it might be worth to you relative to your comment on a new sound board, I switched to the onboard soundmax provisions on the P4C and all sound problems went away. I would suggest that you try that before investing in anything expensive in the way of added sound provisions.Good luck:RTH

>Have the P4C and have been tickled pink with the thing. Have>no reason to believe the other board would not do quite well>also.>>For what it might be worth to you relative to your comment on>a new sound board, I switched to the onboard soundmax>provisions on the P4C and all sound problems went away. I>would suggest that you try that before investing in anything>expensive in the way of added sound provisions.>>Good luck:>RTHThanks for that "sound" advice :-) I was hoping that the on-board sound would have been improved by now. At least with software compatibility problems of the past.::(: now if there were just a way to cut another $500 off the tab :-lolBTW, I took a look at the Soyo mb entries (Dragon2) and main difference is ANOTHER $100 bill ! ! Except for the extra storage options available it's no better than Asus this year. IMO of course.

The IC7 has issues with the onboard sound, specifically the mic. I used my onboard sound for my headseat/mic when flying online, so this was unacceptable.So far so good with the P4P800.