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Benefit of a better mobo

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Benefit of a better mobo

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Nitram1011   10-23-2008 at 03:00:25 PM

Hello folks

I am planning to upgrade to Q6600/E8500 with 2x2GB DDR2 800 and a 9800GT. Pretty standard, i know, but i don't need a top notch PC and have a limited budget. I believe this config should be fine for general usage and most games at decent quality settings and 1440x900 resolution.

My question is: As the intel G31 supports this config and i'm not looking at overclocking, is there really any need to fork out the extra cash for a i.e P43/45 mobo, and if yes, what will be the benefits?

Thanx in advance :)

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chechnyan   10-23-2008 at 03:38:40 PM
- 0 +

if no overclocking needs or crossfire .sli
or any future RAM CPU upgrades
i don't think you should switch the board
the G31 should serve you will

Reply to chechnyan
Nitram1011   10-23-2008 at 03:58:20 PM
- 0 +

thanx for the reply,

i think by the time i'll need any sort of upgrade, the core i7 and all associated hardware standards will be norm anyway, neccecitating a complete upgrade anyway.

no need for sli, oc and 4gb ram should be sfficient for a while

is there and performance gain with better mobos?

Reply to Nitram1011
aevm   10-23-2008 at 04:39:37 PM
- 2 +

Check the specs carefully to make sure you get all the features you need. For example the GA-EG31M-S2 is pretty good, and great value at $53, but it has only 2 PCI slots, 4 SATA ports, max 4 GB of RAM, no e-SATA, no FireWire, no RAID, no multi-GPU support, etc. That is, it's not future-proof at all. Compared for example with the Asus P5Q Pro. You pay $70 more but get all those goodies.

The performance gain in games between a $50 mobo and a $300 mobo is usually under 3%, so no worries there. Of course, a $300 mobo will normally allow SLI or Crossfire, which will make a huge difference in games, but I guess you're not interested in that. You don't need two video cards for 1440x900 anyway.

Reply to aevm
jtt283   10-23-2008 at 04:59:03 PM
- 2 +

+1 @aevm's analysis. Make sure you're getting enough ports of the various kinds you need, RAM slots, etc. 4 SATA ports is the very least I'd ever want, for an optical drive, two internal hard drives, and one for an eSATA port.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
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