What mobo should i get for a gaming pc

Alex Mck · Dec 18, 2013

I'm looking for a haswell mobo, but isn't overkill and has enough pci ports for my 780 ti, to give me the ultimate gaming experience. So pretty much i'm looking for sound, performance and over all best bang for my buck($200-300).

Scremin34Egl · Dec 18, 2013

Whats your budget and what country are you from?

Alex Mck · Dec 18, 2013

$200-300, i just updated the post when you replyed

VincentP · Dec 18, 2013

Alex Mck :

Every haswell motherboard will have a PCI-E x16 slot available, so no problems with the 780Ti.
Avoid the H81 boards as these have only PCI-E x2.0. Probably not a bottleneck now but might ruin future graphics card upgrades.

Pick a good brand.
You can find this by reading reviews on different boards.
I've always had a good experience with Gigabyte boards.
You want a board with good capacitors in particular if you want it to last.

With one graphics card, go for a microATX motherboard.
These are cheaper and you can choose from microATX or ATX cases.

If you want to overclock, choose a motherboard with a Z87 chipset and overclocking features.
Match this with a K series Core i7 or Core i5.
If not, the non-K series Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs are better value and a motherboard with a H77 chipset is fine.

Available display connectors are irrelevant because you will use a graphics card.

If you plan to use the motherboard audio, consider a board with a better audio codec (e.g. VIA VT2021 has an output signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB compared to 97dB for the Realtek ALC892)
Realtec chipsets - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comp...
VIA Chipsets - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comp...
If you plan to use USB headphones or connect via HDMI to an AV receiver, the on board sound isn't important.

If you plan to have other addin cards (e.g. wireless networking), check that these will fit in the available slots.
Remember that you can insert a PCI-E x1 card in a PCI-e x1, x4 or x16 slot.

Alex Mck · Dec 18, 2013

VincentP :

Alex Mck :

Every haswell motherboard will have a PCI-E x16 slot available, so no problems with the 780Ti.
Avoid the H81 boards as these have only PCI-E x2.0. Probably not a bottleneck now but might ruin future graphics card upgrades.

Pick a good brand.
You can find this by reading reviews on different boards.
I've always had a good experience with Gigabyte boards.
You want a board with good capacitors in particular if you want it to last.

With one graphics card, go for a microATX motherboard.
These are cheaper and you can choose from microATX or ATX cases.

If you want to overclock, choose a motherboard with a Z87 chipset and overclocking features.
Match this with a K series Core i7 or Core i5.
If not, the non-K series Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs are better value and a motherboard with a H77 chipset is fine.

Available display connectors are irrelevant because you will use a graphics card.

If you plan to use the motherboard audio, consider a board with a better audio codec (e.g. VIA VT2021 has an output signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB compared to 97dB for the Realtek ALC892)
Realtec chipsets - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comp...
VIA Chipsets - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comp...
If you plan to use USB headphones or connect via HDMI to an AV receiver, the on board sound isn't important.

If you plan to have other addin cards (e.g. wireless networking), check that these will fit in the available slots.
Remember that you can insert a PCI-E x1 card in a PCI-e x1, x4 or x16 slot.

i already know about mobos, but i simply can't decide. As i want to get the GA-Z87X-UD3H, but then i think the performance would be terrible, but if i add an extra $97 i can grab a Asus Maximums Vi Hero, but is the hero really worth it? So i am basiclly asking what (ATX) motherboard should i get that will give me great performance (not caring about wifi and bluetooth) that will last me a fair amount of time and is great for value.

VincentP · Dec 18, 2013

Alex Mck :

VincentP :

i already know about mobos, but i simply can't decide. As i want to get the GA-Z87X-UD3H, but then i think the performance would be terrible, but if i add an extra $97 i can grab a Asus Maximums Vi Hero, but is the hero really worth it? So i am basiclly asking what (ATX) motherboard should i get that will give me great performance (not caring about wifi and bluetooth) that will last me a fair amount of time and is great for value.

In a motherboard you look for quality and features.
No motherboard is going to make a noticeable difference to performance, with the exception of any overclocking it allows on the CPU or different components it allows you to use.

Alex Mck · Dec 18, 2013

VincentP :

Alex Mck :

VincentP :

i already know about mobos, but i simply can't decide. As i want to get the GA-Z87X-UD3H, but then i think the performance would be terrible, but if i add an extra $97 i can grab a Asus Maximums Vi Hero, but is the hero really worth it? So i am basiclly asking what (ATX) motherboard should i get that will give me great performance (not caring about wifi and bluetooth) that will last me a fair amount of time and is great for value.

In a motherboard you look for quality and features.
No motherboard is going to make a noticeable difference to performance, with the exception of any overclocking it allows on the CPU or different components it allows you to use.

i notice a lot of things

, but your avoiding my overall question, what mobo should i get? i am thinking about getting a GA-Z87X-UD3H. Whats your opinion?

VincentP · Dec 18, 2013

Alex Mck :

VincentP :

Alex Mck :

In a motherboard you look for quality and features.
No motherboard is going to make a noticeable difference to performance, with the exception of any overclocking it allows on the CPU or different components it allows you to use.

i notice a lot of things

, but your avoiding my overall question, what mobo should i get? i am thinking about getting a GA-Z87X-UD3H. Whats your opinion?

It is a good motherboard.
It is what I would choose over the more expensive board.

Alex Mck · Dec 18, 2013

VincentP :

Alex Mck :

VincentP :

Alex Mck :

In a motherboard you look for quality and features.
No motherboard is going to make a noticeable difference to performance, with the exception of any overclocking it allows on the CPU or different components it allows you to use.

i notice a lot of things

, but your avoiding my overall question, what mobo should i get? i am thinking about getting a GA-Z87X-UD3H. Whats your opinion?

It is a good motherboard.
It is what I would choose over the more expensive board.

Thanks

for the help, now i'm one step closer to my Ultimate Gaming PC

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