motherboard for am3+ m-atx

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
i have been looking around trying to make a sub $1000 (Canadian dollar) m-ATX PC(the main reason for the m-ATX is to keep it small for LAN parties, among others). i would really like to use AMD CPUs such as the FX-6300 or FX-8350 but there seems to be a lack of am3+ m-ATX boards. i can only find two boards that are appealing options.(gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 and asus M5A78L-M/USB3). both of these boards are okay but they both have a small number of USB3 ports and headers (2-4) and also have no SATA 6GB headers, as well as no crossfire or SLI. the later two don't matter as much at the moment but i would like to be able to upgrade this PC over time such as adding an SSD or a second video card. i am wondering first of all why this is the case and why there are so few boards and second of all should i buy one of these boards now and upgrade the board when a new am3+ board comes out or should i switch to Intel. only problem with Intel is that there is no way of getting the same performance for the price of ether of these CPUs.

all responses are helpful and if anyone knows of a good Intel counterpart to the mentioned CPUs and/or good motherboards to accompany them i would be thankful.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
Yeah that's probably the best option considering the selection of am3+ motherboards. Do you know of any Intel CPUs that might be a good alternative?

Thanks for the response.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($252.66 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.86 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.51 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($194.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1008.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

if you have a very strict budget, you can get rid of the SSD, or get a cheaper case.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
iceclock

iceclock

Illustrious
Dec 4, 2010
13,088
0
42,960
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($246.67 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000V(AL)-1-PWM CPU Cooler ($9.82 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.51 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($194.98 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($93.10 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $952.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

yes

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
First of all, i am very surprised on how fast you were able to put that together. Second, that looks like a very good build and also in the case i was planing on using. I don't think it really matters that it is $8.71 more i can live with that as i get the added speed of the SSD and the good looks of an obsidian series case. One thing thought, would it be possible to go with a slightly cheaper CPU for an improved graphics card (i have one in mind)? also would you use these parts in one of your builds (do you recommend them)?

(this was intended for Baba as i did not see Iceclock's build at that time, but it can be applied to both)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660


possibly, ill see what i can throw up...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iceclock

iceclock

Illustrious
Dec 4, 2010
13,088
0
42,960
yes.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000V(AL)-1-PWM CPU Cooler ($9.82 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.51 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 280 3GB royalKing Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($93.10 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $930.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

yesh

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.86 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($244.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $964.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

just remember that you wont be able to overclock the CPU this build, but you would be able to on the one costing $1008
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
Thanks! i am still very surprised on how fast you guys work.

p.s. does anyone know why there is such a lack of am3+ m-atx boards?

p.p.s. i don't mind not overclocking as i have no experience with it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660


am3+ is a dead socket now, they only made a few of them until AMD said that they wouldnt make anymore am3+ cpus....
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iceclock

iceclock

Illustrious
Dec 4, 2010
13,088
0
42,960
that motherboard u chose baba is of how quality. also u copied my videoacard lol

no need for aftermarket cooler better than 10$ one and prodigy has handle and alot more portable

yes.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000V(AL)-1-PWM CPU Cooler ($9.82 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($134.51 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($61.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 280 3GB royalKing Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($93.10 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $930.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

yesh

i dunno why no am3+ motherboards got no answer to that

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660


It isnt of low quality, its a good board for a CPU that doesnt OC. Why would you put a z97 board with a non-K processor?

also, he wants the good looks of the 350d, and your 550w PSU isnt good enough for the r9 280.

a good CPU cooler such as the 212 evo would also increase longevity of the CPU.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
i don't understand why some of the FX CPUs are crasy good for there price and can compete with much more expensive Intel options. ether way it is up to board manufactures to decide to make the boards. i do not favor one company and would rather chose the best CPU for the build, and in this case that is Intel.

(this is in response to the am3+ motherboard discussion)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660


AMD is good for budget oriented, ATX builds.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iceclock

iceclock

Illustrious
Dec 4, 2010
13,088
0
42,960
lol the 280 will run fine on that xfx 550watts son.

also lime do u want absolutely the 350d? or the prodigy-m?

also the motherboard i chose has better caps and quality parts than that budget asrock model.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($185.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS7000V(AL)-1-PWM CPU Cooler ($9.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($63.02 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Club 3D Radeon R9 280 3GB royalKing Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $909.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

yesh.

the 550 and the antec 620 both are made from seasonic if u knew this.

the 280 can run off a quality 500watter:)

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
L

_Lime

Distinguished
Jul 14, 2014
15
0
18,510
My original plan was to use the 350d but the prodigy-m i s also a good case.

Additionally a Z97 motherboard would be better for upgradeability should i want to change parts in the future.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
babachicken

babachicken

Honorable
Aug 14, 2013
1,452
0
11,660



True, broadwell will be on z97.. i think..
 
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