I am a Windows software developer who also edits video. My current MB is old and is about as upgraded as it can be, not to mention no longer supported by the manufacturer. So it's time for a new one. But there are so many new technologies out there (and some that have just improved with age), that I am at a loss as to how to go about selecting one. I have built my computers since when I was putting IBM PCs together at a Computerland so am comfortable doing so.
I am looking for suggestions of MBs I should consider (and reasons why will be greatly appreciated as well.)
Per a response I received, here are the answers to the list of MB questions.
Approximate Purchase Date: In the next 2-3 months – hopefully earlier rather than later
Budget Range: 100-400 (I don't want to limit myself because of budget, but I don't want to spend a lot for features I don't need - and I assume the memory and CPU will be additional.)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Developing software, importing and editing video, using many hard drives (a number are shared with my other computers) and DVDs, surfing the web for solutions to problems are the key things I do. After that, the other things are all minor (skype, listening to music while I work, etc.). I do not play video games, so the only graphics requirements I have are for editing video.
Are you buying a monitor: No, I have 2 running on a GEForce 550 Ti card added to my current MB, but if the MB has a better video option, I would consider it (developers never have enough real estate on their monitors.)
Parts to Upgrade: MB, CPU, RAM. Currently have a 500W PS, but can upgrade if it makes sense. Case is large with many bays/fans/etc.
Do you need to buy OS: No
Misc: I have no preferred website for purchasing, etc. Live in the Silicon Valley area of California (near San Jose), prefer Intel, but open to alternatives if someone makes a compelling argument.
Overclocking: Don't think so – As I understand it (at least the way it used to be) this was simply running the CPU at a speed faster than it was rated for. I have enough problems with the software I write that I don't need to find out that something didn't work because the CPU was at a marginal state. Please correct me if I am wrong.
SLI or Crossfire: I am not sure, I am not a gamer but I do need to be able to render the video I edit. This is imported video, not animations.
Your Monitor Resolution: Currently run both monitors at 1920x1080. Video should support this (but preferably better.)
Additional Comments: Develop with Visual Studio 2012, Netbeans, XAMPP, MS SQL, MySQL, Apache, all running under Windows 8 (now that I have tweaked it enough that it runs right), a 380 GB SSD boot drive, 2 addition HDs in the case, a RAID 5 striped disk array in a Sans Digital tower, another Sans Digital tower with 4 more hard drives running – all using eSATA. The motherboard SATA must support "Port Multiplier" on the eSATA ports and I need at least 2. I use IEEE 1394 ports for importing video as that's what the primary camera supports. And, of course, a bunch of USB ports. Wifi is nice, but most likely will be replaced since I will be upgrading things to 802.11ac and it's still too new for most MBs to have it included (at least fully implemented and/or cost effective.)
Why Are You Upgrading: My MB is old and I am having problems with some compatibility issues as it doesn't have some features (heck, I can't even boot it off a thumb drive – which I needed to do to test some stuff.) It also is limited to 8 GB of memory.
I am planning to only replace the MB and associated components (CPU/RAM), however, I am open to replacing other items if necessary.
I am looking for suggestions of MBs I should consider (and reasons why will be greatly appreciated as well.)
Per a response I received, here are the answers to the list of MB questions.
Approximate Purchase Date: In the next 2-3 months – hopefully earlier rather than later
Budget Range: 100-400 (I don't want to limit myself because of budget, but I don't want to spend a lot for features I don't need - and I assume the memory and CPU will be additional.)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Developing software, importing and editing video, using many hard drives (a number are shared with my other computers) and DVDs, surfing the web for solutions to problems are the key things I do. After that, the other things are all minor (skype, listening to music while I work, etc.). I do not play video games, so the only graphics requirements I have are for editing video.
Are you buying a monitor: No, I have 2 running on a GEForce 550 Ti card added to my current MB, but if the MB has a better video option, I would consider it (developers never have enough real estate on their monitors.)
Parts to Upgrade: MB, CPU, RAM. Currently have a 500W PS, but can upgrade if it makes sense. Case is large with many bays/fans/etc.
Do you need to buy OS: No
Misc: I have no preferred website for purchasing, etc. Live in the Silicon Valley area of California (near San Jose), prefer Intel, but open to alternatives if someone makes a compelling argument.
Overclocking: Don't think so – As I understand it (at least the way it used to be) this was simply running the CPU at a speed faster than it was rated for. I have enough problems with the software I write that I don't need to find out that something didn't work because the CPU was at a marginal state. Please correct me if I am wrong.
SLI or Crossfire: I am not sure, I am not a gamer but I do need to be able to render the video I edit. This is imported video, not animations.
Your Monitor Resolution: Currently run both monitors at 1920x1080. Video should support this (but preferably better.)
Additional Comments: Develop with Visual Studio 2012, Netbeans, XAMPP, MS SQL, MySQL, Apache, all running under Windows 8 (now that I have tweaked it enough that it runs right), a 380 GB SSD boot drive, 2 addition HDs in the case, a RAID 5 striped disk array in a Sans Digital tower, another Sans Digital tower with 4 more hard drives running – all using eSATA. The motherboard SATA must support "Port Multiplier" on the eSATA ports and I need at least 2. I use IEEE 1394 ports for importing video as that's what the primary camera supports. And, of course, a bunch of USB ports. Wifi is nice, but most likely will be replaced since I will be upgrading things to 802.11ac and it's still too new for most MBs to have it included (at least fully implemented and/or cost effective.)
Why Are You Upgrading: My MB is old and I am having problems with some compatibility issues as it doesn't have some features (heck, I can't even boot it off a thumb drive – which I needed to do to test some stuff.) It also is limited to 8 GB of memory.
I am planning to only replace the MB and associated components (CPU/RAM), however, I am open to replacing other items if necessary.
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