I need a decent cheap mobo to build my Sub C2D System that I can use for Movies Encoding and Downloading.

Current I have this HTPC that I can swap parts with

The HTPC Has:
Mobo: Asus P5E-VM HDMI
CPU: E4300 (C2D @ 1.83GHZ)
RAM: 2 x 2GB OCZ DDR2-800 Vista Upgrade Edition

I have these laying around as well:
CPU: E6850 (C2D 3GHZ at 1333mhz FSB)
RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) OCZ Reaper DDR2-800


The HTPC is doing fine. It's currently at E4300's stock speed and able to decode 1080P MKV video clips fine. However, I haven't add the BR-Drive yet, so I don't know how it handle real BR Decoding. Seeing the falling prices of BR player, I plan to get one soon. Therefore, I plan to swap the E6850 CPU into the HTPC and use with standard RAM. With this faster CPU, it'd fully support new BR MPEG4 encoding? Also, I can always crank the CPU's speed up a lil more if needed. For the Current E4300 in there, I can't really do much since it's a stock Heat Sink (no room for after markets)

If I do what, which would be the best mobo that I can use so I can OC the E4300 with a good price <$120.

This CPU did 3.1GHZ stable on my Asus P5K deluxe Mobo that I currently used in my Q6600 multimedia system. I'm looking for one that can do at least that much, good price so I can use with the OCZ Reaper to OC it and use it as my backup Video encoding/DL/Burning station?

I'm thinking of the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L? Do you have any other models on mind? Would this Board be the best OC for the E4300? I've heard that previous models have problem OC different multipliers, etc.

That's my only requirement: Stable OC my E4300. I don't need onboard gfx support since I've already a vid card for it.

Thanks crew.

 

I went with the Gigabyte X38-DQ6 about 6 months ago and absolutely love it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128066

 

ive been eying that gigabyte model for a while now

have you thought about not using onboard video and getting a pci-e video card? a lot of them can offload decoding 100% from the cpu.

 

For my HTPC Built, I can't use a Vid card since it's very low profile.

Review tested the P5E-VM HDMI and said the Onboard Video is awesome. So there's no need really. That's why I wanted to use that E6850 CPU for it to give it some headroom.

As for the Mobo I'm looking to run and OC my E4300, It will not be an HTPC built but rather a regular PC. Therefore, I've already have a spare ATI HD2400 Pro Video Card for it. I don't do a lot of gaming, so that video card should suffice.

 

Wayyy out of my budget of $120. I don't want to spend more than that. Otherwise, I could've get a top of the line for my Q6600 and use the current P5D Deluxe for the E4300. I plan to keep it simple, yet OC well and stable.