Looking For A Good Motherboard For Gaming PC

pcgaming468

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I am going to be getting the Intel Core i5-4460 processor for my gaming PC, most likely getting a GTX 970 GPU, 2x4GB RAM kit, and 1TB of space, most likely not getting an SSD for now. I am a bit new to motherboards so I don't know what I need and which one would be the best choice. I will most likely be getting an ATX board, but I don't know the difference between all the different Intel chipsets, I know the Z versions are for overclocking, and the H are for general use I think, but there are a lot of different Z and H chipsets, I even saw B, C, and Q. I do not know which one I would need. I also do not know which brand to get, if someone could tell me which board I should get, that would be a big help, I do not plan to overclock by the way, but I do plan on upgrading in the future to an i7 processor, I don't think I will be getting more than one GPU in the future, I will most likely just stick with one. Thank you to anyone who is able to help!

Edit: I don't really have a budget because I don't know how much I would really need to spend on a motherboard, but I do not want to spend a whole lot, however much you guys think I should spend as long as it isn't something crazy like $200 :p
 

pcgaming468

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Yea I will most likely not overclock now or in the future and will probably just stick with one graphics card, I will look at the link you posted now.

 
Upgrading from an i5 to an i7 is expensive.... no need for a gaming box.... I'd get a 4690k ... just $50 more than the 4460 and Ill save ya bunch on the MoBo.

Here ya see the $130ish MSI and Gigabyte Gaming 5's kicking some tail on MoBos costing as much as $300

11104520883l.jpg


 

pcgaming468

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do you know which board I should get? I would like one that has good ratings, a durable good quality board, atx, whichever H version chipset I should get since I wont be overclocking I don't need a Z version, and any color is fine i am not really worried about having the parts match colors.
 


Then get a Z97 mobo if you want to eventually have more than 1 graphics card. Otherwise, just get a H97 mobo.
 

pcgaming468

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JackNaylorPE I am on a budget, I forgot to mention, and since I do not plan to overclock, getting the i5-4690k might be a waste since it wont be overclocked, so I was stuck choosing between the 4690 non k and the 4460, i7baby told me that the performance in games wont be noticeable between the two so I should get the cheaper one.
 

pcgaming468

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ok thanks, so what brand ATX H97 board should I get? There are a bunch of brands I do not know which is better.

 
For H97 mobo seehttp://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383217/motherboard-tier-list-h97-chipset.html

I'd choose one of these - https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asrock-motherboard-h97performance%2Casrock-motherboard-h97pro4/

ASRock are good value boards.
 

pcgaming468

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the red asrock board you mentioned had some pretty low ratings on newegg.com, out of these four, https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#f=2&c=100&sort=d6&page=1&R=5,4,3&m=7 the Pro4 you mentioned has the best ratings on newegg, I might look into getting that one.
 


I have had the same discussion with most of the peeps I built boxes for. Many are reluctant to jump into overclocking for unwarranted fear of losing their warranty or breaking something .... but as the machine ages and they get more comfy, they usually dip their toes in and then once started, it becomes a hobby.

Same thing with PSUs .... buying a 750 watter today might cost ya $5-10 over a 550-650 and is logical if you are sure don't want to do SLI. What happens tho, many regret this decision down the road and then wind up spending $80 instead of $10 to get that PSU when they change their mind.

Certainly nothing wrong going either way .... but as changing ya mind is very expensive, best think it about it and not only be sure for present day, but be sure for 18 months don the road. Those who don't leave the option open, are sometimes regretful

But if you go H97, makes no sense to spend $100+ for a MoBo when ya could have Z97 in the same price range.