More new PC questions.

[GARoss]

Hi everyone. I'm back with more questions but this time it's about motherboards & monitors.

Now that B3 versions of Gigabyte MBs are appearing @ Newegg & TigerDirect I've been trying to balance what my needs are & what's available. I'm basically doing a PC re-fresh. I do video editing & other graphic work that is has become more of a hobby nowadays. But, I do like a good running PC & Win 7 looks like it's worth an upgrade.

I've narrowed it down to 2 motherboards: Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 & GA-P67A-UD3-B3. The best I can figure, the basic difference is "H" versions have built-in graphics & "P" versions accept a wider variety of RAM, namely faster - up to DDR3-2133 (Max RAM for the GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 is DDR3-1333). I have read this artical, http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1. I'm not a gamer but AVCHD video rendering could use the added speed. The overall number of ports (USB) & types are different, too. As I recently purchased a new ATI 5570 graphic card (http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/113030-odd-monitor-behavior-since-windows-7-64-bit-install.html) when I 1st upgraded to Win 7, I think the "P" model would be OK. But, maybe there's more to it than that.

Also, I'm looking @ 2 HP monitors; HP 2310e 23" Diagonal Ultra-Thin WLED Monitor & HP 2311x 23" LED Monitor. I've read that the 2310e has the glossy type screen (I know some hate glossy type but I do like it) & the 2311 is a non-glare screen. But the "W" in WLCD is for white LCD so I don't know if that's better for color accuracy or not. The 2311 is about $50 cheaper. I have seen the 2311 but not the 2310e as it doen't seem to be on showroom floors. I can't afford the HP LP2475w IPS model.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your suggestions.

 

[bobkn]

The H67 chipset apparently only supports RAM frequencies up to 1333MHz, as you say.

It also doesn't support overclocking for the CPUs with unlocked multipliers (I5-2500k and I7-2600k). A mild overclock (to, say. 4.2GHz) may have more effect on video editing than the memory clocks. As I haven't done any video editing, I can't speak from personal experience.

I don't know whether you'll be happy with a TN monitor. I have a Samsung 245BW (24" TN, 1920X1200). I've mostly gotten used to its limitations. It does make color banding in some video, but I believe that it's a 6 bit display. (That's 6 bits per RGB color, 18 bits overall.)

 

[Markus]

Simply said: H is for those who don't OC and don't need a graphics card, since it already has one intergrated.
P though is for OC'er, and you MUST have a graphics card using PCI-Express (Or PCI, not sure).

OC= Overclock

I suggest you get a P series, it's supposed to be cheaper and you already have a nice graphics card, not to mention the higher MHz ram @ 1600MHz

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Now that B3 versions of Gigabyte MBs are appearing @ Newegg & TigerDirect I've been trying to balance what my needs are & what's available. I'm basically doing a PC re-fresh. I do video editing & other graphic work that is has become more of a hobby nowadays. But, I do like a good running PC & Win 7 looks like it's worth an upgrade.

I've narrowed it down to 2 motherboards: Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 & GA-P67A-UD3-B3. The best I can figure, the basic difference is "H" versions have built-in graphics & "P" versions accept a wider variety of RAM, namely faster - up to DDR3-2133 (Max RAM for the GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 is DDR3-1333). I have read this artical, http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1. I'm not a gamer but AVCHD video rendering could use the added speed. The overall number of ports (USB) & types are different, too. As I recently purchased a new ATI 5570 graphic card (http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/113030-odd-monitor-behavior-since-windows-7-64-bit-install.html) when I 1st upgraded to Win 7, I think the "P" model would be OK. But, maybe there's more to it than that.



Anyway, I'd appreciate your suggestions.

The P76A does not have eSATA. The H67A does.


The H76A has 3 PCI slots. The P67A has 2.


The H67A has 4 USB 2.0 ports; the P67A has 8.

The H67A has Firewire. I'm not sure about the P67A.

I own the original version of the H67A-UD3H and will shortly be exchanging it for a B3 version.

If you buy a P67, you MUST use a separate videocard.

If you buy an H67 you CAN use a separate videocard.

If you buy an H67, your overclocking capabilities are severely limited.

The K model processors are normally purchased by those wanting to overclock, which typically means buying a P series board.

The non-K processors are normally purchased with an H series board.

However:

Some people who would normally want to overclock don't like not being able to run without a videocard on a P series board. So they might buy an H series motherboard nonetheless--and add a card if they want, but not overclock.

Some people who won't overclock nevertheless buy a K processor because the K models have slightly superior on-processor graphics. (HD 3000 rather than HD 2000). But you aren't likely to notice the difference unless you game, and if you game you probably want a separate videocard anyway.

I think I have that right, it is confusing.

My WEI gaming graphics score with only the on-processor graphics is 5.8, on an i5-2500.

 

[GARoss]

I'm going with the "P" version. And, no, P doesn't have iEEE 1394 port, but, I no longer have camcorders that need firewire any more so no biggie. I've never overclocked before so I might give that a try.

I know the IPS monitors are great but can't justify 2x the cost. Wish I could.

Thanks!

 

[GARoss]

Well, IPS monitor prices aren't as high priced as I thought. Dell has one below $300 (U2311H) as is NEC EA232WMi & Asus ML239H model is below $250. All are 1920x1080. I haven't found many reviews but they look worth concidering.

 

[GARoss]

Ordered my new monitor yesterday. NEC EA232WMi which is an e-IPS monitor. NECwill extend the 3 year warranty to 5 years for only $25 & that offer ends tomorrow, 3/31/11. That was the deciding factor as it seemed there were only subtle differences.