Help choosing motherboard, urgent..

[anytime12]

Hi guys,
I just need an advice on choosing a motherboard, I'm looking into lower range and mid-range boards because of my budget. I'm due to buy one by wednesday, so I'm really having a hard time deciding on such a short notice.

The requirements are following:

socket 1155 board
USB 3.0 ports

There are also optional features I'd like to have (ordered by highest priority):

1. overclocking possibility, XMP support
2. 4 DIMM slots
3. 8-channel audio
4. internal GPU (as far as I know mutually exclusive with 1.)

I'm happy to hear your suggestions..

(I like ASUS P8H67-M PRO so far, but haven't looked closely on others)..

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

On a budget my picks are ASUS P8P67 PRO {ATX} and P8P67-M PRO {mATX}.

Confused -> Please define "4. internal GPU (as far as I know mutually exclusive with 1.)"?? Are you buying a Discrete GPU e.g. GTX 560 Ti or do you need an onboard {integrated} GPU??

ASUS:
Maximus IV Extreme {2~3WAY, x8...x8, Marvell 9182 [ASUS typo? 9128] RAID 0/1, eSATA, BT, Dual Intel LAN}
P8P67 WS Revolution {2~3WAY & 4-WAY Quadro only, x8...x8, Marvell 9128 RAID 0/1, Dual Intel LAN}

P8P67 DELUXE {2-WAY, x8/x8 + x4 open, Marvell 9128 RAID 0/1, eSATA, BT, Dual Intel/Realtek LAN, USB3 Ft Panel}

P8P67 EVO {2-WAY, x8/x8 + x4 open, Marvell 9120 no RAID, eSATA, BT, Dual Intel/Realtek LAN, BT}
P8P67 PRO {2-WAY, x8/x8 + x4 open, Marvell 9120 no RAID, eSATA, BT}

SABERTOOTH P67 {2-WAY, x8/x8, Marvell 9120 no RAID, eSATA}
P8P67-M PRO {cheap} {2-WAY, x8/x8 + x4 covered, eSATA}
P8P67 LE {cheap}
P8P67 {cheap}
P8P67-M {cheap}

 

[anytime12]

asus P867 PRO is at maximum price I'm willing to spend on motherboard...
I'm hoping to find something cheaper...but it's looking good..

Confused -> Please define "4. internal GPU (as far as I know mutually exclusive with 1.)"?? Are you buying a Discrete GPU e.g. GTX 560 Ti or do you need an onboard {integrated} GPU??

I do have discrete GPU, I meant onboard GPU, but it's not really needed (hence listed last)..


i found something cheaper,
Intel Deer Flat DP67DE, which looks good, has P67 chipset which should have unlocked overclocking options, but I have little to no experience with intel motherboards..could anyone share an opinion on them?

 

[jaquith]

The 'problems' IF you wanted onboard VGA: No OC of K CPU, Limited Turbo Boost, and Shared Resources {Discrete GPU/hampered performance; Loss of Physical RAM}.

The next 'problem' is currently the choices are rather limited until the P67 MOBOs are in full supply; 2~3+ weeks.

Otherwise the ASRock {owned by ASUS/budget MOBOs} or MSI are good alternatives.

To fine tune:
Q - What GPU?
Q - Crossfire or SLI?
Q - SSD or PCIe SSD?
Q - CPU?

 

[anytime12]

no onboard VGA then...

I know of the 67 chipset bug and waiting times..that's why i need to choose rather fast before my retailer place bulk order..

I have very bad experience with MSI boards, so no MSI, alternatives could be GIGABYTE or INTEL..
but as I said in my previous post I have no experience with intel boards (used some but decade ago)
and relatively positive experience with gigabyte...


GPU - ati 5670, not upgrading at least for a year (no crossfireX ever)
SSD - not yet, later this year (most probably SATA)
CPU - i5 2500K

Basically, all I'm looking for is motherboard with 3.0 USB ports, XMP and overclocking possibility...

 

[jaquith]

Take a look at the MSI P67A-G45 http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-G45--B3-.html#/?div=Detail {Crossfire / OC / XMP / USB 3 / SATA2/3 / 8 Channel Audio w/Optical, & Coaxial} ; and yeah cheap.

Side-by-side -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600093976&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-130-582^13-130-582-TS%2C13-130-571^13-130-571-TS%2C13-131-707^13-131-707-TS%2C13-130-572^13-130-572-TS

 

[anytime12]

ok, it seems I find a suitable candidate - ASUS P8P67-M PRO

an unless anyone can think of some reason why not to buy it, I am gonna sick with it..

and jaquith - thanks for your time and opinions..

 

[jaquith]

No, the ASUS P8P67-M PRO is good; it is a mATX MOBO vs ATX, but otherwise is fine and support both CF/SLI for future expansion. The caveat is only if you want CF/SLI and need the x4 PCIe. -- just info.

 

[Redskins]

Hi guys,
I just need an advice on choosing a motherboard, I'm looking into lower range and mid-range boards because of my budget. I'm due to buy one by wednesday, so I'm really having a hard time deciding on such a short notice.

The requirements are following:Asus P7P55D Pro Motherboard - Intel P55, Socket LGA1156, SATA 6GB/s, USB 3.0 here is the Motherboard you should use remember even tho your building a budget system you should not skimp on the MB. I have started building them last year I went with the ASUS Rampage III Extreme MB it may cost a bit more but, well worth it. I brought the Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz I over clock it too 3.70GHz down the road when the price comes down to the i7980x I will upgrade I went with the XFX ATI Radeon 5870 & 6GB Corsair Dominator GT 2000 MHz Cooler Master Silent Pro 80+ Gold Certified. Here is why the MB will pay off I can up grade the graphics cards & CPU. My Son is using this system to play Call To Duty Black OPs he is a one man kill squad. Stick with ASUS for your mother board there the best I feel. The New Sabertooth P67 some thing like that coming out it has 4 6GB/s ports. Spen the most money on your Motherboard it is the heart of your system. Good luck

socket 1155 board
USB 3.0 ports

There are also optional features I'd like to have (ordered by highest priority):

1. overclocking possibility, XMP support
2. 4 DIMM slots
3. 8-channel audio
4. internal GPU (as far as I know mutually exclusive with 1.)

I'm happy to hear your suggestions..

(I like ASUS P8H67-M PRO so far, but haven't looked closely on others)..

 

[anytime12]

Redskins: first pick is the best pick, or so the say

BUT i change my mind finally to P8H67 LE which is basically the same, only ATX size and has 1 PATA...

 

[jaquith]

change my mind finally to P8H67 LE which is basically the same, only ATX size and has 1 PATA...

Then you're wasting you $ on a K CPU, and to a lesser degree GPU performance. The H67 will NOT OC period plus it has limited Turbo Boost {+4 multiplier} vs P67 {+8 multiplier}, and then there's the Shared RAM + PCIe bandwidth harming Discrete GPU performance and loss of some Physical RAM

Look at the Chart:

 

[anytime12]

OMG, one small letter can really start confusion, i meant P8P67 LE of course...

but thanks for the chart, it really sums it up nicely..

 

[jaquith]

The ASUS P8P67 LE is okay, it's a basic P67 and okay OC for the Core i5-2500K and so-so for the Core i7-2600K. Lacks 'real' Crossfire with the x4 PCIe slot. Otherwise, it has what you listed -- Analog 8 Channel Audio & NO {Optical, or Coaxial}.

Again, just pointing stuff out and trying to watch your '6'.

 

[anytime12]

I will not do some really serious OCing so I am good I guess, and I do not mind not having the "real" crossfire or any for that matter...

Thanks again for all your comments...found that really helpful...

 

[Redskins]

Have you taken a look at the EVGA P55V SLI Motherboard - Intel P55, Socket LGA1156, SLI+PhysX, Dual-Channel DDR3 great price but, no SATS 6GB/s or USB 3.0 for the price very good LGA1156 MB

 

[muz_j]

Have you taken a look at the EVGA P55V SLI Motherboard - Intel P55, Socket LGA1156, SLI+PhysX, Dual-Channel DDR3 great price but, no SATS 6GB/s or USB 3.0 for the price very good LGA1156 MB

Nice suggestion - except the original poster was looking for a Socket 1155 board - not socket 1156.


To the OP - sounds like you've already decided, but I really like the Asus P8P67 PRO B3 motherboard (B3 versions have the SATA issues resolved).
P67 chipset and not the H67, but a very good, full sized board, with excellent performance.

 

[anytime12]

Nice suggestion - except the original poster was looking for a Socket 1155 board - not socket 1156.

That's right

and regarding your suggestion - P8P67 PRO does not really have any useful features I'd like to have over LE version, and is 60$ more, the cost for me is unjustified...

anyway, the original question is solved and mobo already ordered, I'll just have to wait till it arrives, I hope it won't be long. From what I heard the supplies should be back to normal later this week, I certainly hope so..

 

[Redskins]

Sorry I did not see the the MB needed was 1155 as long as you stick with ASUS and they TigerDirect they most likely have the MB your looking for in stock and at a good price. They also ship fast. If you need help when building I would be able to help. I started building computers back in the late 1970's we built the boards by hand then. Here is some thing to think about the tower your going to use make sure it is large enough to get the proper air flow it will help keep your temps down hard wear last longer. Good luck Coach Jones

 

[muz_j]

Nice suggestion - except the original poster was looking for a Socket 1155 board - not socket 1156.

That's right

and regarding your suggestion - P8P67 PRO does not really have any useful features I'd like to have over LE version, and is 60$ more, the cost for me is unjustified...

anyway, the original question is solved and mobo already ordered, I'll just have to wait till it arrives, I hope it won't be long. From what I heard the supplies should be back to normal later this week, I certainly hope so..

Well that's all cool.
I will show you this though - just in case it changes your mind - there's one key difference between the LE and the other boards:
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1500/asus_p8p67_spec.jpg

The LE versions don't feature the same Digital VRM features, which to me is critical. If you don't care, then that's fine, but just thought I'd point it out.