Sub $100 gaming MOBO SLI and Over-Clocking Capable

SHO_ONE

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Dec 6, 2012
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I'm trying to find a good gaming motherboard for my budget gaming rig. The rig I'm going to build is listed below. I've only bought a few items on this list so far, but I listed everything just in case anyone has a suggestion that would yield a better bang for my buck. For the sake of this post my main question / concern is for the motherboard. Can I get on for less than $125 that will have SLI support and can be overclocked without an issue. If it comes down to priority's, I would prefer a board that would allow me to overclock the CPU vs. SLI support. Honestly, if need be I could just upgrade my GPU unless anyone here has an objection to bridging my GPU's.

Thanks in advance for the advice / help guys and gals! On a separate note, this build was originally based on a sub $800 budget, but I feel it wasn't possible due to my wants and needs.... I know it's a budget build, but the I5 3750K and a decent budget GPU (ie. EVGA GTX 660) was a must.... Am I wrong?!?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yMjE
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yMjE/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yMjE/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon) - PURCHASED

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($116.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg) - PURCHASED

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg) - PURCHASED

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg) - PURCHASED

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.65 @ Amazon)

Total: $862.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-22 11:39 EST-0500)
 
Your build is fine. That setup will game with no problems. Here is a mobo choice (s) to consider These boards will allow you OC but the SLI/Xfire will not be great. That will take a larger investment. My advice woud be to stay with a single high powered card that will play all the games on Ultra.

MSI Z77A-G43 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $114
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

MSI Z77A-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130645

 

SHO_ONE

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Dec 6, 2012
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Thank you for the suggestion; however I've used ASUS in the past with no issues and would like to stick to either ASUS or ASRock.... How well does MSI compare to ASUS?
 

SHO_ONE

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Think I'm going with the AS Rock LGA1155 DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Quad CrossFireX and Quad SLI A GbE ATX Motherboard Z77 EXTREME4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
 

SHO_ONE

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Dec 6, 2012
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Since you feel that way, how do you feel about ASRock? I know they were ASUS's low end model so-to-speak, but I feel they've really come a long way. As I mentioned above, I'm thinking about going with the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

I started to watch video's on over clocking as I haven't done it since the late 90's and wanted to freshen up on the process. I built a pretty kick as rig for a friend of mine, you know i5 3570k, EVGA 670 the works... Now he wants it OC'ed.... and ran into an Australian raving about this mobo..... It's a bit out of my price range, but I was fortunate enough to have remembered that I already have a copy of Windows 7 Pro and called Microsoft, gave them my product key and boom they sent me a new download link.... $100 just freed up! Now I can get closer to my original $800 and maybe do it with better parts.... What'cha think of the ASRock board I've chosen?

On a seperate note... I wish more people would chime in... Thanks guys!
 

JJ1217

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Asrock make good boards, infact I have one (see sig).

I like the bios it uses because its really simple and it basically tells you where everything is. It can sandwich two triple slot cards together, or have two dual slot cards together with a space inbetween. Really good board.
 

SHO_ONE

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Dec 6, 2012
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So is the mobo I'm talking about the same one your using? I think it is?!?!