This post is about Intel chipsets.
For desktop computer using Intel processor, it is very common to
use mainoards that are equipped with Intel chipsets although the
mainboard is not necessary manufactured by Intel. In Singapore,
people generally do not buy Intel mainboards for D.I.Y. computers
as brands such as MSI, Asus, Gigabyte have better mainboards with
extra features like dynamic over-clocking, dual bios, integrated
wifi e.t.c. Corporate computers usually uses Intel mainboards as
they are cheaper and employees do not need all those extra features
for work.
Comparing Intel Chipsets Q965, P965, G965, X975.
http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/showchart.aspx?mmID=23515,22754,999999,143&familyID=10&culture=en-US
For gaming desktop, always choose the one without Integrated
Graphics since you are not going to use that feature. Integrated
graphics uses CPU processing power and main memory, thus lowering
down gaming performance.
Thus Q965 and G965 are out.
Choosing between P965 and X975.
If you are buying Intel® Core2 Extreme Processor, choose
X975.
Else choose P965 for Intel® Core2 Duo Processor.