What Motherboard?

[si8mon]

I'm planing on building my own pc and i'm thinking about what hardware I should get.

I'm a complete newbiew when it come to hardare (check my spces ), so i will probably ask a lot of stupid questions.

The one ting i have no idea about is what's a good motherboard?

My requirements are that its CPU socket fits for i7-900 (socket LGA1366), that it has PCI express, DDR3 SDRAM and USB 3.0. Easy to install (in terms of components) and has great build quality.

When it comes to Hardrive support, I have no clue in what to buy. I'm thinking in getting a small SDD to put windows 7 system files on and buy HD (any recommendations would be great) to put my software and data on. I also want this motherboard to last for a fair while (is 10 years asking too much). I would like it to be compatible with any new technologies that could become mainstream in the next few years.

Are the top motherboards like ASUS Rampage worth it, or are they just rip offs?
When it comes to price, i'm willing to pay top dollers for this if the motherboard is really worth it. But I would prefer to look at some thing between $200-$300.

I'm still planing my new comp so It will be a few months before I actually buy this comp. Will there be any good new motherboard coming out with in a year?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mlevy]

I have used 3 Asus boards for builds and all have been good systems, stable and easy to build on. 2 are still running, one I took apart to put my current system in the case, all were AMD machines. I've been pleased with them though, and that was a factor in my choice for MB on my current system.

 

[wysiwyg]

This is a motherboard that would fit your needs. from Novatech at £220.

Asus 1366 Rampage II Extreme 6400MT/S

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/dirresults.html?s=Asus Rampage II Extreme&f=Asus rampage 2 extreme

 

[si8mon]

This is a motherboard that would fit your needs. from Novatech at £220.

Asus 1366 Rampage II Extreme 6400MT/S

Computer Supplies and PC Components from Novatech Rampage II Extreme&f=Asus rampage 2 extreme

Thanks for the link.

I would to know what are the major differences between the

ASUS P6X58D Premium Motherboard

and the

ASUS Rampage II Extreme Motherboard


As far as I can tell the Rampage has ATX and ESATA. Is it the rampage worth the money?

 

[tony22]

si8mon, I have two suggestions:

While it may not be a choice for actual e-purchase since you are in Oz, go to the Newegg website and look over the motherboards. They offer a nice Compare utility which you can use to see the differences between boards. The user reviews are also good as a reference only. Be sure to look for reviews done by users with a high Tech Level as some made by less experienced owners are colored by that lack of experience. While you are new to this, looking at the reviews by more saavy enthusiasts I think will provide more objectivity.

Next, if you'd like go over to overclock.net and either join or look at the MB forums. There is a ton of information there about the more popular boards, and quite a bit even about the less popular choices.

 

[Wishmaster]

This is a motherboard that would fit your needs. from Novatech at £220.

Asus 1366 Rampage II Extreme 6400MT/S

Computer Supplies and PC Components from Novatech Rampage II Extreme&f=Asus rampage 2 extreme

Thanks for the link.

I would to know what are the major differences between the

ASUS P6X58D Premium Motherboard

and the

ASUS Rampage II Extreme Motherboard


As far as I can tell the Rampage has ATX and ESATA. Is it the rampage worth the money?

The Rampage is a highend enthusiast board.
The bios are quite extensive, and its designed for extreme Overclocking etc.

Is it worth it?
Only if you plan on extreme OCing, and building a very high-end machine.
Meaning Xifire / X-fire X or Tri-SLI builds + Extreme Overclocking.


If mild-moderate OCing or none at all, and a mid-higher end range machine, you can get by with cheaper.
Even for multiple GPU setups.

Its really up to you.
But if your are not doing any extreme OCing, or have no desire to get really intimate with the Bios, the Rampage is likely too much board IMHO.

 

[si8mon]

si8mon, I have two suggestions:

While it may not be a choice for actual e-purchase since you are in Oz, go to the Newegg website and look over the motherboards. They offer a nice Compare utility which you can use to see the differences between boards. The user reviews are also good as a reference only. Be sure to look for reviews done by users with a high Tech Level as some made by less experienced owners are colored by that lack of experience. While you are new to this, looking at the reviews by more saavy enthusiasts I think will provide more objectivity.

Next, if you'd like go over to overclock.net and either join or look at the MB forums. There is a ton of information there about the more popular boards, and quite a bit even about the less popular choices.

Thanks, that compare feature on Newegg is really useful.

After a bit of searching i'm leaning towards the ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard.

Edit: Wishmaster your right, I probably wouldn't use half the features on the Rampage.

 

[bobkn]

If you're looking for the latest technology, note that the X58 Socket 1366 boards are basically two years old. (I've had mine since January 2009.) Some have been refreshed a bit (USB3 and 6Gb SATA add-ons), but they are nearing the end of their time as leading-edge motherboards.

Intel's "Sandy Bridge" CPUs are expected to be released in Q1 or Q2 2011. That'll require a new socket, chipset, etc.

You want hardware that'll be relevant for 10 years? That seems optimistic.

 

[si8mon]

Looking at these two mobos.

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R

ASUS P6X58D-E

There basically identical but the gigabyte is a tad cheaper. If you had to pick between these two what would you pick and whats the better brand, because their both good from what I heard.

 

[A Guy]

These boards are very close in specs. I'm going to have you do some reading

1st individual reviews, then a comparison where both were in the mix.

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Review - Overclockers Club

ASUS P6X58D-E Motherboard Review - Overclockers Club

X58 In 2010: Four LGA 1366 Boards With USB 3.0 And SATA 6Gb/s : Being Well-Connected

The Gigabyte barely was Tom's choice. A Guy

 

[si8mon]

These boards are very close in specs. I'm going to have you do some reading

1st individual reviews, then a comparison where both were in the mix.

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Review - Overclockers Club

ASUS P6X58D-E Motherboard Review - Overclockers Club

X58 In 2010: Four LGA 1366 Boards With USB 3.0 And SATA 6Gb/s : Being Well-Connected

The Gigabyte barely was Tom's choice. A Guy

Thanks for the TomsHardware page that was interesting. The Gigabyte and the Asus mobos are basically exactly the same except Asus comes with more accessories. But then the
Gigabyte is about $20 (AUD) cheaper. It also came top in the TomsHardware contest, If that means anything.

 

[A Guy]

I personally have an ASUS board, but Gigabyte was my second choice. They use a very good copper base, and have a good BIOS as does ASUS. The only real difference I could find is that apparently the ASUS doesn't use the PCIE lanes for the USB3/SATA3 features. Therefore they wouldn't slow down any SLI/Crossfire setup. Only important if you game and plan on running multiple GPU's. I believe either of those boards will serve you well. A Guy

 

[si8mon]

This is tough, but I will probably go for the Asus and pay the extra 20 dollars.

 

[Techymike]

I had the gigabyte MB and then upgraded to the ASUS. Both worked well but the ASUS is by far a better MB. The problem with the new ASUS MB is that if you run a SATA 3.0 you will find that you can't run the SATA in Raid. The default looks for port 1 and 2 as the only option for the operating system. There is some sort of problem with Raid for Sata 3. Be careful if this is what you plan. And most of all the Sata 3 sucks as it is a meager Sata 2 with just the name of a Sata 3.