DDR2 or DDR3 Motherboard for HTPC?

[dougf4]

I had my mind set on buying one of two Mobo's - both of them DDR2 Boards.

Now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if I should look for comparable DDR3 boards.

Here are the two boards I am considering:

ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595


GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394


Am I making too big a deal over the memory issue? I'm basing it on cost and am not really sure what difference there really would be in performance.

Both these boards look to be solid, high performing HDMI Boards which is ultimately what I am looking for.

If you think I should move over to a DDR3 board, any recommendations that would not go much beyond the 70-80 dollar price range of these boards?

Also, any DDR2 RAM recommendations to purchase if I stay with one of these boards?

ThanX!

 

[jaquith]

I would recommend a MOBO with DDR3, as DDR2 is phased out the replacement costs go up.

I would look at:
ASUS M4A78LT-M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131672
MSI 880GM-E41 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130295

Maybe ASUS AT3IONT-I or AT5IONT-I {CPU + MOBO} great for no fan HTPC.

 

[rwpritchett]

Only buy a DDR2 motherboard if you are re-using some DDR2 sticks you have lying around. DDR3 is actually cheaper than DDR2 these days.

 

[dougf4]

Best answer selected by dougf4.