Suggestions for decent gaming mobos without UEFI?

Regarding using Linux with Protected mode Secure Boot (UEFI) on Windows 8 PCs and Tablets some OEMs lock the BIOS settings so that you cant change them, or switch to legacy BIOS, which really is a PITA and a restriction of rights that you should have. I have had a few people request me to switch their new laptops to Windows 7 and had to resort to hacking the BIOS to disable UEFI so I could install it. Even though there is UEFI versions of Linux the support is still buggy. On most desktop boards you can switch it which is why I said to read up on any models you are interested in so you dont buy something that might not work for you. How UEFI works is that the UEFI BIOS only knows how to boot a disk drive and nothing else so the operating system has to have its own firmware and hardware support built in. It also prevents unsigned code from executing which prevents viruses and home made/Open Source applications from working. It is just like EFI but is a advanced secured version that needs a keyring to certify execution. It is a very interesting system developed with good motives in mind to say the least. The specs say that you must provide a option to switch to legacy BIOS but not all manufacturers honor that. For more information please read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFI.

Also here is a decent AMD based MB (your previous was AMD) that ships with UEFI disabled by default http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131851.
It is $150 with 6% Off, you also get a $10 ASUS rebate gift card if you apply.

Quote from Taij on the ASUS forums relating if UEFI can be disabled on this one.


It seems like the ULTIMATE motherboard by the way here are the specs:

Learn more about the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0

Brand
ASUS

Model
M5A99FX PRO R2.0

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type
AM3+

CPU Type
FX / Phenom II / Athlon II / Sempron 100 Series

FSB
2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)

Chipsets

North Bridge
AMD 990FX

South Bridge
AMD SB950

Memory

Number of Memory Slots
4×240pin

Memory Standard
DDR3 2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066

Maximum Memory Supported
32GB

Channel Supported
Dual Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16
4 (x16, x16, x4, x4)

PCI Express x1
1

PCI Slots
1

Storage Devices

SATA 6Gb/s
7 x SATA 6Gb/s

Onboard Video

Onboard Video Chipset
None

Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset
Realtek ALC892

Audio Channels
8 Channels

Onboard LAN

LAN Chipset
Realtek 8111F

Max LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps

Rear Panel Ports

PS/2
2

USB 1.1/2.0
8 x USB 2.0

USB 3.0
2 x USB 3.0

eSATA
1 x eSATA

S/PDIF Out
1 x Optical

Audio Ports
6 Ports

Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB
2 x USB 3.0 + 6 x USB 2.0

Other Connectors
1 x TPM connector(s)
1 x COM port(s) connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
1 x DirectKey Button(s)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)

Physical Spec

Form Factor
ATX

Dimensions
12.0" x 9.6"

Power Pin
24 Pin

Features

Features
Dual Intelligent Processors 3 with New DIGI+ Power Control - Full Hardware Control. Total Performance Tuning.

Remote GO! - One-stop PC Remote Control and Home Entertainment

USB 3.0 Boost - Faster USB 3.0 Transmission with UASP

Network iControl - Real-time Network Bandwidth Control

DirectKey - A Dedicated Button to Access the BIOS Directly

USB BIOS Flashback - Easy, Worry-free USB BIOS Flashback with Hardware-based Design

UEFI BIOS - Flexible & Easy BIOS Interface

End of specs.

That board seems pretty decent too and will work pretty well for what you want.
Just remember that the CPU MUST HAVE the integrated graphics inside of it or it will not post.

Here are the three cheapest CPUs supported by this MB
To search exactly what I id click this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=FM2%20Socket%20CPU%20APU&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

AMD A4-4000 Richland 3.2GHz Dual-Core AD4000OKHLBOX $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113343

AMD A4-5300 Trinity 3.4-3.6GHz Dual-Core $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113283

This one is probably what you would need for gaming in your price range
If you are looking to spend as little as possible and still get good gaming
performance. Sorry but I couldnt find the AMD A6-6400 on NewEgg.
AMD A6-5400K Trinity 3.6-3.8GHz Dual-Core DX11 Radeon $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113282

Heres is some nice cheap high quality DDR3 ram. 4GB A STICK!!!!!!
For that price it cant be beat plus G Skill is a very good brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231307
Did someone say free shipping!

Those parts sound great!
A 6 core CPU@3.5 GHZ is extremely powerfull and I guarantee it will be great for gaming. Make sure that you set the RAM voltage to 1.65V or you will experience random crashes or it might not boot. I suggest that you put only 1 stick in, then change the voltage power off and add the other one. That way the single stick has as much power as possible and will be able to function enough to get into BIOS settings and allow adjustments. The motherboard is also a good choice and will work well. The power supply no doubt is of high quality and will supply a generous amount of power, more than required, which is what you want. As a rule of thumb you dont want to use more than 80% of what a PSU can supply so it dosent have to work as hard, equaling better efficiency and less heat.

It will work great if assembled properly and will last for many years to come without being outdated (CPU, RAM and MB). Plus its overclockable so towards the end of its usefull time when it is nearly outdated you can overclock it to the max to squeeze out the last of its performance. I wish you best of luck in your build and feel free to PM me or start a new thread if you need any more specific help for anything that might come up.

That many cores at that speed (3.5GHZ) will generate quite a bit of heat. I dont know the specs on the stock cooler so I cant tell you specifically if it will be fine or not. It should be OK, but its definitely not a bad idea to get a better cooler. I probably would. The CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO can put out 20-80 cubic feet per minute (@600-2000 RPM) which is a lot of air movement and definitely good cooling. About the open box items, I have never ordered them before but here is what newegg has to say about them if you havent already read it:



It seems that it is slightly a gamble with the open box items.
I mentally weighed tyhe differences for you (feel free differ from my opinion) and would reccommend (if you do get a open box item) the Asrock board because of a few things: It may have 3 less USB and 1 Less SATA than the ASUS, but it has Polymer Capacitors which have lifetime close to 2.5Million Hours (you read correctly) and provide smoother power (not extremely noticeable except when extreme overclocking), the fact it has a IR port (which are very handy sometimes and can be used as a TV remote and to transfer data between some smartphones and other devices to/from the PC), both coaxial and fiber optic S/PDIF, more RAM speed options, a ESATA port (Xtremely high Speed SATA) instead of a sixth SATA (usefull for backup as these ports generally go through the back of the case) which is faster than Firewire and USB 3.0 but still slower than Thunderbolt (On Macs and some Intels), (the other has it though it can be disabled) and has these interesting features: Supports AMD Quad CrossFireX and CrossFireX Supports XFast USB, XFast LAN Technologies Supports On/Off Play Technology, Graphical UEFI BIOS, AXTU, APP Charger (USB power is on with the PC is completely off for charging stuff like iPhones/iPads plus more amperage than regular USB ports meaning faster charging), SmartView, Turbo UCC 7.1 CH HD Audio (7 Surrond with Subwoofer channel too) with Content Protection, supports THX TruStudio and has a Free Bundle : CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial (Trial? Why not full LOL!), ASRock MAGIX Multimedia Suite (not sure if your interested).

The ASUS board does have more MB headers for other things you might want though.
1 x DirectKey Button(s)1 x DRCT header(s)1 x MemOK! button(s)

Hope you can decide whether to go open box or not and if you do so which board you want.

Sorry I havent had the time to check on the forums today!
Here is the answers to all you questions.


From the PCs I have built [Not saying anything bad about other manufactures]
most people pick Gigibyte, Asrock or Intel when I explain their features. They are what I personally pick and recommend but will always honor their requests for other brands nomatter what.


If I was tight for money and wanted a better board I would probabally get a open box item and take the risk. It is supposed to work as it has been tested by NewEgg and most of the time it is something like the MB was not compatable so they return it to get their money back but that is not always the case. I would (for gaming) pick that board and get the Asrock over the non open box one for the specs that it has.


If you want a better card like the 970 or 990fx I would get a standard ATX.


The speed of the chipset directly affects the speed of the data entering the graphics card but depending on the PCI bandwidth it may not be a problem. Better chipset usually equals better preformance for PCI [thus any PCI card liek a GPU], USB, LAN IDE/SATA ETC...


That is perfectly true and right $45 is not a huge amount although it is not small either (except for the government LOL but lets not go there). If you need a upgrade for the MB and have the money or something goes wrong, you could get another one if needed.

I hope I have given you the correct information to make you decision properly. Because this is a urgent matter [ordering in a few hours], I replyed to you first even thought other posts came up first. Have a great day and I hope everything goes well.