Intel Based Gaming Motherboard under $350

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Aikes_Itso

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Apr 22, 2012
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I currently have an AMD motherboard and CPU. I bought it last year to try out AMD and though it works well I want to upgrade and I want to go back to Intel.

I see there are a lot of new motherboards out and I don't really know what is the better choices out there now because, to me, they all look really great. So, I am asking here for help picking something to fit my situation.

What I want:

At least 4 memory slots that can handle at least 8gigs per slot
I run SSD drives so I want fast architecture.
The board to be able to handle overclocking.
To be able to RAID several drives.
USB 3.0 ports (the more the better)
Handle the newest Intel chipsets.

I will use a single GTX 680 video card for graphics.
I plan to use this computer for Gaming and Photoshop and whatever else comes up.


My budget is around $350 for the motherboard but I am flexible. I don't build PC's, I do have a friend with a computer store that will. I think if any group of people are capable of helping me decide on one of the newest mother boards on the market it has to be you folks at tom's Hardware.

EDIT.....More info added:

I just want to use the newest best chip I can. My primary goal here is to gather enough good information to pick a new motherboard for an Intell chip. I haven't bought an Intel based anything in years. The last one I bought was a quad core, when they first came out, and it served my needs up until a couple of years ago. I am not a high end user, I won't be competing in overclocking competitions, I just want to build something that can perform very well, do a lot of calcs per sec, and that will take a beating. The Sabertooth is what my friends tell me to get, but there are a lot of new motherboards out and I don't know if I wouldn't be smarter by going for one of the newer platforms.

I currently use a low profile Noctua NH-C14 CPU fan and 6 Noctua case fans with two Kaze Master Flat fan controlers. http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/kaze-...

I plane to use something similar but definitely Noctual products unless I go with something liquid cooled. I am old and I don't really like the idea of liquids in my PC though.

I have already bought a GTX 680, so I will likely use that but as fast as the prices are coming down I may buy a newer GTX for this build.

But first, I just want to try to find out what people think about the new motherboards on the market. Motherboards that can handle the newest and best Intel chips. I got talked into going AMD and I do like the chip but Intel appears to be head and shoulders above AMD right now so I want to start building an Intel based PC.

I wish I could find a comparison article for the Sabertooth vs the new MSI and EVGA boards. It is too bad that Consumer Reports doesn't test PC parts and components.
Again, thank you for your time reading and replying to my question.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Agreed.
The two video cards I've been recommending are from MSI and Asus for the GTX770. I've been giving the nod towards the Asus due to its backplate with all else being roughly equal.

Video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121770

Motherboard:
That MSI one seems fine. You should look through others yourself at Newegg (1150 Z87) but I recommend this one hands down:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989

*PLEASE NOTE the customer reviews especially 1/2, 2/2 stars. Customer Reviews that are as good as the above Asus board are not common.

CPU?
The above board is Haswell so you probably want the i5-4670K or the i7-4770K. The i7 won't make much difference for games or most things but it will give you up to 30% improvement in some programs like HANDBRAKE (I tested it).

SUMMARY:
1) Asus GTX770
2) Asus Z87 motherboard (link above)
3) i5-4670K or i7-4770K CPU
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231569

THIS is the memory I recommend (32GB G. Skill kit) since you imply you'll get 32GB of memory.

If you don't want 32GB, then pick an appropriate kit. I recommend 1866MHz or 2133MHz G. Skill. 8GB is plenty for gaming and basic Photoshop, but not enough for more advanced editing. Unless you know you're doing VIDEO EDITING (editing, not converting) or another very RAM intensive task perhaps you should get a 16GB (2x8GB) kit instead. This is a 2133MHz kit which is not much more than the lower frequencies. There ARE some scenarios where it is advantageous (not much, but then it's not much more money either). In fact, I've even seen 2133MHz beat 1600MHz in three different games:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231571

Also,
It's probable that the CPU_FAN supports PWM fans. Just FYI when you pick your cooler. (I had the great Noctua NH-D14 which has VOLTAGE fans, but when I switched to a new motherboard I couldn't control speed. Luckily my Asus Z77 Sabertooth had both PWM and Voltage for the CASE FAN connections so I used those and it worked out okay.

CASE:
If you want any recommendations just ask. Make sure it supports FRONT USB3 since that seems important to you.

*Update the BIOS of the motherboard once you get it and run MEMTEST etc.

SSD:
I recommend the Samsung 840 EVO if it's available and priced competetively. Otherwise either the Samsung 840 Pro or non-Pro version or an INTEL SSD (there are others, but the upcoming Samsung 840 EVO might be the best value). 120GB should be enough if you don't add games (I use hard drive for that). Be aware you should use Samsung's Magician for Samsung SSD's and use OVERPROVISIONING. On a 120GB you might end up with 89GB usable. Still should be enough if you use an HDD. (see my Hibernation comment at bottom)

Hard Drive:
- *Backup IMAGE of the Windows SSD (highly recommended; I use Acronis True Image to automatically make WEEKLY backups; I does INCREMENTAL and then DELETES older backups but always keep the very FIRST one you made after everything's installed in case of later corruption)
- GAMES (i.e. Steam). FYI, an SSD offers little advantage over HDD's. I later added an SSD as a second Steam folder (easy) for games like SKYRIM where loading is frequent (by jumping around map). Even a 60GB drive is okay for a few games.
- Downloads, Media etc.
- Many drives to choose, but my latest was a 3TB from Seagate. WD has some "RED" drives that seem reasonably priced and reliable. As a secondary drive I wouldn't get 7200RPM.

**HIBERNATION and 32GB**
I have 16GB and Hibernation uses 13GB. Windows 8 64bit doesn't need to make the Hiberfil as large as your installed RAM if you don't use it (I rebooted and it still used 13GB so you may use a lot more with 32GB). If you use 32GB then Hibernation may use more than 13GB. That will use a LOT of your SSD capacity and 120GB won't be adequate over time as updates reduce capacity.

The solution is to either get a larger SSD, or simply not use Hibernation. If you think Hibernation/Sleep is important then a 180GB SSD may be closer to the capacity you require.

Windows and installed programs will slowly use MORE SPACE as time goes by (Windows Restore, Microsoft and other Program updates). Eventually it stabilizes but I went from about 32GB to 60GB in six months without installing anything.

I would also reduce your PAGEFILE to a Max and Min value of 3GB as it can get unnecessarily large with lots of RAM.

SUMMARY:
- 8GB optimal for gaming only
- 32GB required for DEMANDING video editing etc. ONLY
- 16GB is optimal for less-demanding editing tasks (If you use Photoshop and Lightroom at the SAME TIME you can quickly use up RAM).
- Recommend 1866 or 2133MHz DDR3 memory from G. Skill (and look at reviews quickly such as 86 at 5/5 stars etc.)
- ensure compatibility with motherboard (including CPU HEATSINK height won't hit memory)
- update motherboard BIOS if newer exists (sometimes adds RAM PROFILES)
- use default RAM setting (XMP for CPU and RAM)
- Note RAM may overclock if you overclock the RAM
- Hibernation, Pagefile sizes etc.
- *FINALLY, double-check CPU and RAM frequencies are optimal and run MEMTEST then Prime95 to ensure everything works fine.

 
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A

Aikes_Itso

Honorable
Apr 22, 2012
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Thank you for the time spent in your reply. I will use this information. The first couple of people wanted to know what chip I want to use, and I just want to use the newest best chip I can. My primary goal here is to gather enough good information to pick a new motherboard for an Intell chip. I haven't bought an Intel based anything in years. The last one I bought was a quad core, when they first came out, and it served my needs up until a couple of years ago. I am not a high end user, I won't be competing in overclocking competitions, I just want to build something that can perform very well, do a lot of calcs per sec, and that will take a beating. The Sabertooth is what my friends tell me to get, but there are a lot of new motherboards out and I don't know if I wouldn't be smarter by going for one of the newer platforms.

I currently use a low profile Noctua NH-C14 CPU fan and 6 Noctua case fans with two Kaze Master Flat fan controlers. http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/pc-accessory/kaze-master-flat.html

I plane to use something similar but definitely Noctual products unless I go with something liquid cooled. I am old and I don't really like the idea of liquids in my PC though.

I have already bought a GTX 680, so I will likely use that but as fast as the prices are coming down I may buy a newer GTX for this build.

But first, I just want to try to find out what people think about the new motherboards on the market. Motherboards that can handle the newest and best Intel chips. I got talked into going AMD and I do like the chip but Intel appears to be head and shoulders above AMD right now so I want to start building an Intel based PC.

Again, thank you for your time reading and replying to my question.
 
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A

Aikes_Itso

Honorable
Apr 22, 2012
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10,510


Thank you, I added more info to my question. I hope that helps. Thank you for your input.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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GTX680:
Since you already bought this card, just KEEP IT. A 770 would be similar, so you would have to spend $650 for a GTX780 to go above this. Seems a little EXPENSIVE to me. My 680 runs most games at full quality/60FPS/1080p. Even Crysis 3 runs great once tweaked.

Motherboard:
I gave you my opininion.

Good luck, I'm just not sure where you stand anymore since you told me you changed your statement it's a little confusing what info you still require.

So I still recommend the same ASUS motherboard and i5 or i7 Haswell I listed above.
 
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