Help choosing a motherboard?

HazimAQ

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Oct 1, 2014
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4,510
Hey guys,

I'm trying to build my own computer (for the first time in my life), and I've decided on a mid-size case, i7-5830, and a GeForce GTX 780..

How can I pick out a good motherboard? What should I be looking for in a 'good' motherboard?
 
Solution
Well for you want to be doing, an a 5930 or 5820 (whichever you meant) would be complete overkill and will also require you to buy more expensive and premium motherboards. What I would recommend instead would be an i7 4770k, which is an amazing multi-tasker. If your budget is really less than 100 though, there's no way you'll be getting a 780 and 4770k. I would in fact recommend an i5 4690k and a 770. As for tje motherboard, go for an Asus z87-A

HazimAQ

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Oct 1, 2014
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4,510
Overall my total budget is somewhere between 750 and 1000 dollars, it would be a computer for general use (lots of videos, Skype, general school work) as well as some light gaming (I'm not a huge gamer, but I would like to ocasionally play some stuff like CS or CoD).. I'm also going to be setting up 3 monitors
 

williamcummins

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May 9, 2014
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Hey,
Check this quick guide (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-selection-guide,3900.html)
The use this website (www.pcpartpicker.com) to choose the motherboard compatible with your other components.

Cheers
 

Shane501

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Sep 24, 2014
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pcpartpicker.com will give you compatibility lists.

You're probably going to want a Micro-ATX.
If you want to use it for SLI look for two PCIe x16 slots (really hard to find two on a Micro-ATX.)
Make sure that you can get plenty of RAM, maybe it only has 2 DIMM slots but how much will they support, sometimes you can find a motherboard with 2 slots that supports 32GB and another one with 4 slots but it still only supports 32GB.
When considering RAM check two things
1. The speed (DDR3-1600, DDR3-2000, DDR3-2400...) you don't want to go to high, 1800-2400 is a good range.
2. The CAS (11,10,9...) the lower the CAS the faster it is.
When you find one that you like check the reviews, some people will just be complaining, but if more than half of them are then you probably don't want that motherboard.
Whatever you do DON'T GIVE UP it's confusing but if you keep at it you will be able to figure it out (I only got into this in the last week.)

Here's a guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-selection-guide,3900.html
 

Whammy

Honorable
Dec 31, 2013
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10,960
Well for you want to be doing, an a 5930 or 5820 (whichever you meant) would be complete overkill and will also require you to buy more expensive and premium motherboards. What I would recommend instead would be an i7 4770k, which is an amazing multi-tasker. If your budget is really less than 100 though, there's no way you'll be getting a 780 and 4770k. I would in fact recommend an i5 4690k and a 770. As for tje motherboard, go for an Asus z87-A
 
Solution