New PC builder, Need help!

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Hey, i'm currently building my first PC, and since i'm on a budget i've decided to go the AMD route. I've chosen an FX-6300 cpu, and was lookin at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131942 for the motherboard, but i'm not sure what to look for in mobos. This one looks fine, but i figured since it's pretty cheap that there might be something wrong with choosing it as a budget gaming mobo.

I was wondering if anyone knows of other trusted/reliable motherboards options (preferably under $100) that I may consider before buying this one. Thanks in advance.

damric · May 5, 2014

That board kind of sucks. It doesn't even have SATA III.

This one will do you a lot better.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a97r20

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Thanks.. i'm not 100% sure what that means, but this is the kind of answer i was lookin for. I will definitely consider that one!
I forgot to mention, I already ordered a case ( a rather cheap case) with that 1st motherboard in mind, will the one you recommended fit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352032 ?

damric · May 5, 2014

Don't get that board. You need a micro ATX board for that case. BRB I'll find you a good one.

SATA is the interface that your hard drives, DVD drive, and Solid State Drives use. SATA III has twice the throughut of SATA II, that's why SATA III solid state drives are twice as fast as SATA II ones. SATA III has been out for a long time so there is really no excuse for a motherboard not to have it.

Also rarely some of the cheaper boards are still not shipping with USB3.

Compare the onboard audio processor if you are not getting a discreet sound card. The best boards have the Realtek 1150 which is arguably as good as any sound card.

Some mobos have better software utilities. ASRock boards have something called 5/5/5 which comes with a free RAM Disk software which I adore.

If using more than one GPU for an SLI or Crossfire configuration, then make sure your board has at least x8/x8, x16/x16 is even better.

If overclocking, take note of the VRM design...

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

The MB you are looking at (ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3,) will only support a FX-6300 with BIOS 1401 or higher. Slight chance you will get one with an earlier BIOS. This MB will work perfectly for you:

Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128627

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4642#ov

EDIT: you will need a bigger case to fit this atx size MB

damric · May 5, 2014

Spooky those ATX boards won't fit ^^

Ok so there are only 2 micro ATX boards really that I would even think about:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-960gmu3s3fx

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-760gmap34fx

The ASRock comes with better software utilities, but the MSI has better sound. Both support SATA III and everything else you might want but neither are designed for overclocking.

Pick whichever you like better.

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Damnit.. wish I didn't order such a small case.. wonder if theres a way i can refund or exchange for a different one on newegg

damric · May 5, 2014

Newegg accepts returns within 30 days. The full size ATX boards have much better features if you go that route.

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Thanks a lot, yeah it's still in its shipping process.. i'm currently reading the details for a return, when I order a bigger case should I go for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131873&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128627 ? Thanks again!

damric · May 5, 2014

The ASUS is superior.

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

Both boards are nice. But I would go with the Gigabyte board. It was made supporting all the FX CPU's to begin with. The Asus board needs BIOS 1006 or higher to support a FX-6300.

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Thanks for all the help, ill try to order a new case once I figure out how to return it! I'm lookin http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121126 for a new case, its pretty cheap.. but the cases seems to jump from $30 to $80 with nothing in between (or maybe i'm not looking in the right place lol).

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

That case will hold an ATX size MB but it doesn't have USB 3.0 front ports. Might as well get one to utilize the newer technology that you will be getting.

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Oh I didn't realize it goes micro-mid-full, would a mid size suffice for the boards you guys suggested? Like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023
Sorry for the question spam lol.

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

That Blackbone case has no USB 3.0 ports either. Here's a cheap one that does.

Here's a list of cases that you might like that have the USB 3.0 ports.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%204025%20600311678&IsNodeId=1&name=USB%202.0%20%2f%20USB%203.0%20%2f%20Audio

short URL:
http://alturl.com/rtma4

damric · May 5, 2014

I'll help pick out a quality case

Price range?

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

The http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352032 case is the one that I already ordered will it be able to hold those bigger boards that you guys linked earlier?

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

Actually,here's a better list. Tyhe above list has some smaller cases listed.

ATX board fitting cases w/USB 3.0:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%204025%20600311678%20600006302&IsNodeId=1&name=ATX%20Mid%20Tower

short URL:
http://alturl.com/d6sk6

damric · May 5, 2014

tikigod317 :

It doesn't look like it, but you can certainly try if you want

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Under $50 preferably.. i'm just going budget style atm (ordering piece by piece each paycheck lol).. just trying to replace this old ddr2 gateway from yeaaarrrs ago.

damric · May 5, 2014

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cougar-case-archon

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-redboneu3

Bottom mounted PSU, USB 3.0 front panel, high air flow, cable management.

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

No, it won't hold an ATX size case. Mini iTX and Micro ATX support only.

spooky2th · May 5, 2014

That cougar case actually looks kind of nice.

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

Thanks a lot guys, I think ill try and order that Cougar one when I send back that Fractal one that I prematurely ordered.. then ill order up one of them motherboards you guys listed

tikigod317 · May 5, 2014

While I have you guys here.. will http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 suffice for ram? I want 8gb.. but theres thousand of different variations.. I want the best/cheap/effective ram for gaming lol.

New PC builder, Need help!

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