What are the advantages of more expensive motherboards?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
TeddyShotgun

TeddyShotgun

Honorable
Jun 9, 2013
45
0
10,540
I plan on building a computer soon but while i'm quite familiar with other pc components, I still dont understand motherboards very well. I know that more expensive motherboards give you features such as SLI/Crossfire and more slots for bigger graphics cards, but what else? For example the MSI 970A-G43 motherboard costs $66.99 on Newegg. It supports higher end amd CPUs and has enough space to fit one large videocard I believe(correct me if i'm wrong), and has no SLI support. Then there is ASRock's Z87 Extreme4 that costs $145 but was given Tomshardware Smart buy for having a lower price but high end features. What are the differences between these two boards and generically what are the advantages of more expensive(higher end) boards compared to value oriented ones like the MSI board I mentioned.
 
Solution
leeb2013


For one video card, you don't need to worry about a second PCIe 3.0 x16 (or x8) slot, but if choosing a K CPU, presumably for o/c, then you'll need a Z77 mobo, which normally have the second slot anyway. If not choosing the K, then just choose any non-Z77 mobo, which has 2 or 4 RAM slots depending what you want. Any mobo will be fine, just find one you like the price/look of, google a few reviews to ensure it has no fundamental issues, then get that one.

From a system view, I would totally recommend an SSD as a boot disk with the apps you most use, but as games take so much space, they'll...
Sort by date Sort by votes
lowriderflow

lowriderflow

Distinguished
Jul 5, 2010
1,484
0
19,960
well the MSI is using several year old chipsets and AMD cpu. also only one PCIe slot, which is very rare not to have at least two these days.


the asrock is using brand new chipsets and INTEL.


old vs new. how much does a 3 year old kia cost vs a brand new corvette? :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jaxem

Jaxem

Honorable
Jul 22, 2013
2,170
3
12,960
Well, for starters, the MSI is an AMD board, and the ASRock is an Intel board. But generally speaking, more expensive boards will have features for enthusiast that most people wouldn't use, extra ports, extra VRM cooling, better crossfire/sli support, more fan headers and such...you don't want to go too cheap, but there's no reason to get a $250 mobo if you're not going to utilize it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
leeb2013

leeb2013

Honorable
Aug 5, 2013
1,967
0
12,460
mobo choice is a difficult one, so many options. Even once you've chosen AMD/intel 2nd/3rd/4th gen, then there's various flavours, then each manufacturer has several flavours, plus various sizes. To give you an idea, Asrock have a comparison table of features for their extreme3 to 6 boards and that's just variants of the Z77/87 chipset. Basically, look at the features you NEED, then buy one with reasonable reviews in your price range. Features to look for: obviously your CPU support, number of RAM modules, PCIe slots (3.0 at x8 if 2 graphics cards), USB3, SATA3 if using SSD, size - ATX if using 2 GPU and PCIe slot spacing if 2 GPU, overclocking support.
 
Upvote 2 Downvote
GUNNY1966

GUNNY1966

Distinguished
Sep 20, 2011
64
0
18,660
The question is what games are you going to play if any & what is your budget? You can configure various system configurations but without knowing some details it's pointless to try to suggest anything!
EXAMPLE:
( A ) BUDGET ?
( B ) EXPECTATIONS: i.e. Are you wanting to play specific games ?
( C ) Do you have hardware you want to move into the new build or are you going all new components ?

The Motherboard will also determine some factors on the selection of the graphics card.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
GUNNY1966

GUNNY1966

Distinguished
Sep 20, 2011
64
0
18,660

Okay, We can try to meet your budget but first I need you to provide IN DETAIL of the current hardware you have ( MEANING EVERY ITEM ) if any you plan to use to save money, i.e. Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Case ect. ect.!
AS A EXAMPLE, I have configured SERVERAL system builds on Newegg as a REFERENCE! These can be modified to meet your budget however they are complete systems, there are several to view!
Newegg Public Wish List:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishLists.aspx?actionType=SEARCH&OrderKey=CREATEDATE&OrderType=DESC&searchTitle=GUNNY1966&searchItemNumber=
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
GUNNY1966

GUNNY1966

Distinguished
Sep 20, 2011
64
0
18,660
Did you review the systems I have pre-arranged on Newegg? Honestly your telling me you need a ENTIRE system correct, EVERYTHING included?
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishLists.aspx?actionType=SEARCH&OrderKey=CREATEDATE&OrderType=DESC&searchTitle=GUNNY1966&searchItemNumber=
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
leeb2013

leeb2013

Honorable
Aug 5, 2013
1,967
0
12,460


For one video card, you don't need to worry about a second PCIe 3.0 x16 (or x8) slot, but if choosing a K CPU, presumably for o/c, then you'll need a Z77 mobo, which normally have the second slot anyway. If not choosing the K, then just choose any non-Z77 mobo, which has 2 or 4 RAM slots depending what you want. Any mobo will be fine, just find one you like the price/look of, google a few reviews to ensure it has no fundamental issues, then get that one.

From a system view, I would totally recommend an SSD as a boot disk with the apps you most use, but as games take so much space, they'll end up on a HDD. Next is a decent GPU, so either; 7950, 7970, R9-280X, R9-290, GTX680, GTX770. 7950, 7970 o/c like a demon if you're into that. I7 not needed for gaming, I5-K only if o/c, you pay $30 more but a 30% o/c is easy. I run mine at 4.4GHz daily as it need only 0.1v more, but it will easily readh 4.7GHz, but generally no need. If you want to max out everything at 1080p 60fps, then 2xGPU. 2x7950 is bargain power. Fast memory makes little difference, although I got Gskill 2133, which runs at 2400, it makes no difference if at 1600. Big heatsinks and fans not needed for RAM, mine is the Aero, with low profile heat spreader, doesn't get warm at 1.6v even. Decent heatsink for K CPU though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
S

Shatarupa1

Honorable
Oct 28, 2013
4
0
10,510
Hi

I believe some of Biostar motherboards are of high quality.The recent one is : Hi-Fi Z87X 3D, NM70I-1037U (Intel CPU on-board solution, much better performance than Intel Atom...) and "6+ experience.They have great Audio,video and protection features.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Galen Schultz

Galen Schultz

Honorable
Dec 26, 2013
4
0
10,510


Just wanted to interject and ask a really stupid question. You say that MSI is an AMD board and that ASRock is an Intel mobo; does this mean that MSI boards will offer better support for AMD CPUs and ASRock better support for Intel CPUs?

I am also currently in the tedious process of motherboard picking and can't decide between ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte or MSI ... Am purchasing a Core i5 4670K and want to have the option of easy overclocking in the future.

Any advice?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jaxem

Jaxem

Honorable
Jul 22, 2013
2,170
3
12,960


Basically you need to pick what kind of CPU you want to use before you get a board. They don't have better support for one or the other, they only have support for one or the other. For AMD you need an AM3+ board for their enthusiast CPU's, or an FM2 board for the mainstream APU's. Intel gets more tricky since there are so many different sockets recently. But again, you find the CPU you want, and it's not hard to find what socket it needs.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chiekotz

Chiekotz

Honorable
Jun 16, 2013
40
0
10,530


better crossfire/sli support? how?

I have a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Mobo...yes it has crossfire capabilities, whats the difference if i buy an ASUS Sabertooth for the same chipset?

Thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jaxem

Jaxem

Honorable
Jul 22, 2013
2,170
3
12,960


With a 990FX chipset you'll get as good of crossfire support as you will from almost any motherboard, regardless of brand, the only difference being some more expensive boards might go further and offer 3 or 4 slots for crossfire, instead of just 2. The number of lanes will be decreased accordingly though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sukiblr

Honorable
Oct 6, 2013
19
0
10,520


Or you could try AM3+ Biostar TA990FXE Ver. 5.x.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom