Can't choose MOBO for Intel

[Guest]

Hello!
So, I am building a home/gaming build and want to use it at least for next 4 years. After surfing for a while, reading here and there on the forums, I ended up with the following components: Core i5 760, 2x Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 (4GB), 2x WD Caviar Black 1 TB, GTX 460 Talon Attack, Antec TP-750 PSU. Since I want the system to be future-proof, the things I plan to add in the future are:
a) SSD
b) Another 460 in SLI
c) Another 8GB of RAM (maybe)

The problem is the MOBO. The requirements are following:
1) Possibility to have/implement USB 3.0
2) SATA3
3) SLI

I came upwith the following possibilities (from cheapest to expensive):

I) Asus P7h57D-V EVO
II) Asus P7P55D-E PRO
III) Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD7 (has RAID for SATA3, but costs almost twice)

Thus which one to get? Please give feedback, maybe I have missed something...

 

[tecmo34]

Get number: II) ASUS P7P55D-E Pro

It is the best overall P55 board IMO.

 

[Shadow703793]

I'd go with the ASUS P7H57D-V EVO. The ASUS Pro is a bit over priced imo. There really is no need for RAID on SATA III unless you plan to RAID SATAIII SSDs. The current HDDs don't even come close to filling up the SATA II bandwidth.

If you are willing to give up SATA III/USB 3, you may want to consider the ASUS Sabertooth: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131601&cm_re=asus_sabertooth-_-13-131-601-_-Product
Excellent board for $130.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for quick replies guys. Seems there's no clear answer. ASUS P7P55D-E Pro will cost me $40-50 more than P7H57D-V EVO in my region. Interesting to know what will I get for that extra money.

 

[Shadow703793]

^ Here you go: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001315%2040000280%20600007888&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-131-621^13-131-621-TS%2C13-131-624^13-131-624-TS

Main differences:
Number of SATA ports
HDMI/DVI output
Number of USB 2.0

Apart from that, there could be BIOS option differences such as ie. available voltage range, voltage resolution (ie. .02v jumps vs .025 jumps).

 

[Guest]

Alright. I think I will buy the one I can get faster

 

[Titanz1]

I'd go with the ASUS P7H57D-V EVO. The ASUS Pro is a bit over priced imo. There really is no need for RAID on SATA III unless you plan to RAID SATAIII SSDs. The current HDDs don't even come close to filling up the SATA II bandwidth.

If you are willing to give up SATA III/USB 3, you may want to consider the ASUS Sabertooth: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131601&cm_re=asus_sabertooth-_-13-131-601-_-Product
Excellent board for $130.

Oh I found another MoBo: MSI P55A-G55. It is even cheaper than the rest. But I couldn't find any decent review of it. Can I expect some problems like slowed down USB 3.0 or SATA III when using SLI with this board?

 

[hell_storm2004]

The UD7 is also a great motherboard. I would suggest if you have the budget you can go for it. Otherwise i would say the EVO.

 

[Shadow703793]

Oh I found another MoBo: MSI P55A-G55. It is even cheaper than the rest. But I couldn't find any decent review of it. Can I expect some problems like slowed down USB 3.0 or SATA III when using SLI with this board?

Others will disagree with me here, but after having MSI boards die on me in the 939 days, I no longer run MSI boards. I have yet to have a Gigabyte/ASUS board die on me (this is after ~100+ builds btw).

 

[Titanz1]

Thx for feedback, ordered the EVO.