I7 Motherboard help

[gangstap]

I'm debating between the brands EVGA and ASUS. I'm buying from newegg. I'll tell you what I want to do, the other components, and hope that you guys can provide some input and help me choose the right motherboard. I'd like to spend around 250 on the mb.

-i7 930
-1xHD 5850 or 5770 (haven't decided yet)
-Corsair 750w PSU
-Haven't decided on case, leaning toward Antec 900 (Also accepting suggestions)
-memory also unsure of

Basically it's a rough sketch but I feel like I need to know which motherboard before I can move forward.

 

[andy5174]

Mid-range: ASUS P6T or Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P

High-end: ASUS P6TD Deluxe or Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7

 

[gangstap]

Cool. Thanks, I'll take a look at them. Could you also tell me what main components I should be looking for in a mb? Like expansion slots. How many of each do I need? what is 16x/16x/4x and if this isn't great what is? What type of memory standard do I need and am I limited to those particular speeds? What's the standard amount of USB ports and what is the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0?

Sorry for all the questions, if someone could answer one or all of them I would be greatly appreciative.

 

[andy5174]

Could you also tell me what main components I should be looking for in a mb? Like expansion slots.

They are all very similar, but make sure you get a MB that comes with three 16X PCIE slot if you are going to do 3-way HD5970 CF.

what is 16x/16x/4x

It means that the MB come with three PCIE slots which have speed of 16x, 16x and 4x respectively.

All the X58 MB comes with at least two 16x PCIE slots, so you will be fine with any graphic card in 2-way CF.

What type of memory standard do I need and am I limited to those particular speeds?

Any Tri-channel DDR3 RAM are fine with X58 platform.

What's the standard amount of USB ports

At least 4 rear USB and 2 front USB.

what is the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0?

USB3 is 10 times faster than USB2, but you won't take the advantage of USB3 until they replace the current standard, USB2.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Case / PSU - newegg has some great combos available

Antec 902 w/ EA-650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345277 $164

EA-650 9.0 Performance Rating $75
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=110

Corsair TX750 8.5 Performance Rating $89 w/ $20 MIR (expires March 7)
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=73

Though if ya want to add XFire in the future, move up to the 750 to get the necessary 4 PCI-E connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345160 $209

If ya wanna go bigger Antec 1200 w/ CP-850 .... only $244
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345233

Couldn't find many combos on the HAF 922 which would be my other case suggestion.

MoBos:

Asus P6X58D $ 310 w/ USB 3 and SATA III (SATA III is here and USB 3 products were shown at January CES .... only SSD's and large RAID arrays can take advantage of SATA III at this point)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

Asus P6T Deluxe V2 $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

ASUS P6TD Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131403

GFX (single) Card:

1650 x 1050 resolution or below - 5770
1920 x 1200 / 1080 - 5850

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews.php?reviewid=902&pageid=4
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews.php?reviewid=937&pageid=7

On DX11 titles.....@ 1920 x 1200 resolution

AvP (Min / Avg / Max fps)

5770 (21/30/43)
5830 (30/43/63)
5850 (36/49/70)

Dirt2 (Min / Avg / Max fps)

5770 (15/24/54)
5850 (31/42/70)
5870 (42/52/85)

 

[andy5174]

AvP (Min / Max / Avg fps)

5770 (21/30/43)
5830 (30/43/63)
5850 (36/49/70)

Dirt2 (Min / Max / Avg fps)

5770 (15/24/54)
5850 (31/42/70)
5870 (42/52/85)

Avg fps higher than Max fps? Must be a typo! :lol:

 

[gangstap]

Wow, thank you andy and jack for the suggestions you guys are really knowledgeable. I'm gonna look this stuff up and get back to you. Thanks again.

 

[ulysses35]

or wait on Nvidia next range of cards Fermi - due out at the end of march.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Avg fps higher than Max fps? Must be a typo! :lol:

Whoops....fixed

(Min / Max / Avg fps) headings were wrong

now fixed as (Min / Avg / Max fps)