Which LGA 1155 Motherboard?

[donutz69]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a semi-decent gaming motherboard for the i5 2500K LGA 1155, but I am stuck at deciding the one that would be the best fit.

Below are the parts that I will be using:

Hard Drive --------- Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ
Power -------------- Corsair GS600 Gaming Series High Performance 600 Watt ATX Power Supply CMPSU-600G
Graphics ----------- EVGA GeForce GTS 450 FPB (Free Performance Boost) 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card 01G-P3-1450-TR
Processor ---------- Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Processor
Case ---------------- Cooler Master HAF932 High Air Flow Full Tower
CPU Cooler -------- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler RR-B10-212P-G1
Memory ------------ Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory BL2KIT25664BN1608
Optical ------------- Sony AD-7260S 24X SATA Internal DVD Burner
Wireless Adapter - ASUS PCE-N13 - Wireless PCI-Express Adapter - 802.11b/g/n - 2 External Antenna

I prefer an ASUS motherboard (or Gigabyte but have not owned one before) and the price to be less than $200.00.

I narrowed it down to one of these 3 motherboards:

1) ASUS P8P67 LE $144.99 http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=TzGzLFtd2HBF7vc5
2) ASUS P8P67 $159.99 http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=Qx3PdnZI9Pq9BcIU
3) ASUS P8P67 PRO $189.99 http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=HMMvTCuBcZLfu2YL

If I am not mistaken, the HAF932 has 2 front USB 3.0 ports - so would getting a ASUS P8P67 LE make those ports useless?

If so, it is down to either the ASUS P8P67 (standard) vs. ASUS P8P67 PRO with a difference of $30.00.

This PC is for a younger cousin who will more than likely never need CrossFireX/SLI or multiple-GPUs but wants a decent gaming machine.

The P8P67 LE and P8P67 have some mixed reviews on Newegg compared to the P8P67 PRO, but I am not sure if this has to do with the Intel recall.

Which motherboard would you guys suggest? Are the Micro ATX boards worth looking at?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[topsoil]

hey go for the ASUS P8P67 PRO my gf has one with the 2500k and and it rocks awesome board even tho im a GIGABYTE fan

 

[Geofram]

The HAF 932 only has front USB 2.0
If you want USB 3.0 in the front, you're going to have to get a seperate bus. Such as the one included in the P8P67 Deluxe ($239)

There's absolutely no reason to go Micro ATX inside a full tower case for a consumer machine.

1. What kind of overclocking is going to be going on?
2. When do you have to have it built? I ask this because many of the better 1155 boards are sold out right now.
3. Do you care if its BIOS or UEFI?

 

[donutz69]

1. Very little overclocking will be done.
2. The machine needs to be built by the end of this weekend.
3. Either BIOS or UEFI works.

 

[Geofram]

I would take a look at ASRock's Extreme 4. They make great bang-for-buck boards that just don't quite cut it for enthusiasts. But since you're not going 4.5+ on the 2500k and you need it quickly, I'd definitely suggest it. They're a newish brand with strong community support and really competitive prices compared to the larger brands.

The Gigabyte UD3 & UD4 are another option. Though you'll get less extras for the same price because its a big name brand.

One thing to mention is I think ASRock uses UEFI, so if you really do need the older BIOS, you'll have to look at Gigabyte. But even they are saying they'll eventually migrate to UEFI.

In fact, it may be impossible to find a board that isn't or won't eventually be UEFI.

 

[donutz69]

Doh, I actually do not mind either BIOS or UEFI - was not familiar with UEFI being new.

 

[jaquith]

From your list and comments the P8P67 PRO, the vanilla P8P67 is fine if you'll NEVER add another GTS 450 in SLI. The P8P67 PRO supports SLI. The LGA 1155 is best suited for 1.50v RAM, and the Ripjaws X series has been and excellent performer. My 'Best' advice is NOT to use Wi-Fi, and instead Powerline.

HSF - [+$15] Stock fans the Thermaltake Frio will cut 10C +$15 {CM 212+ $43w/shipping | TF $58 w/shipping}

RAM - [-$5] G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CAS 8-8-8-24 @ 1.5v F3-12800CL8D-4GBXM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231443

Powerline - http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=294&name=Powerline-Networking&Order=REVIEWS Look at NetGear -> http://netgear.com/home/products/powerline-and-coax/

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 {basic} {2-WAY, x8/x8 + x4 covered, eSATA}
P8P67 LE {basic}
P8P67 {basic}
P8P67-M {basic}

 

[Geofram]

Without even asking what type of environment the computer is going to be used in you suggest Powerline? He also didn't ask for you to rebuild the computer. For all we know, these are parts he already has... Is this some cookie-cutter copy past response?

Note: I do agree with his RAM suggestion. G.SKILL makes some great stuff and you're likely not to see a great performance increase on 1600 Ram vs 1333 Ram, and 1.5V is recommended. The Frio is arguably better than the 212 in cooling, but you're not really overclocking and the Frio is significantly louder than the 212. I wouldn't change from CM.

I'm still trying to find the brands that promise to stick to the BIOS system. I'll get back to you with what I find.

 

[donutz69]

Hi Geofram,

I did not realize that UEFI was the new thing -- it does not have to be BIOS. Unfortunately, the house only has WiFi/ethernet (WiFi preferred) and all of the parts except for the motherboard have already been bought :/

I'm thinking of the ASUS P8P67 (standard) since my younger cousin will never need to SLI.

Thanks for all the fast responses!

 

[Geofram]

Donutz,

All your parts are fine choices and at great prices. You haven't steered wrong. We're just nitpicky and a little upset that 1155 motherboards are all sold out.

You can't go wrong with Asus, they make great quality boards at an acceptable price and pack a lot of features in. I'm sure your cousin will enjoy it and he better thank you for taking so much time to ensure a quality build for him.

UEFI is essentially just a prettier BIOS. It allows the use of the mouse and has a nicer looking GUI. It performs almost exactly the same. I can't think of any reason to want the blue-screen BIOS unless you're just really nostalgic.

 

[jaquith]

@Geofram - {rebuild} RAM okay, Wi-Fi bad -- huh?!

Powerline video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sue1Zvmh8JA Most people don't understand it or even know about it. The Powerline works with your router. Keep Wi-Fi for your Notebooks/iPad/iPhone/etc.

 

[donutz69]

Best answer selected by donutz69.