Help deciding between these mobos please

[keto6789]

I've been doing a little research today on the various options of boards and have kind of decided some features I need and don't need.

1. Don't need esata (Do I need this?)
2. Don't plan on 2 video cards since I'm not really a gamer (Should I go with on PCIe slot, Kind of like the idea of having 2 for some reason?)

3. I want the SATA 6Gb
4. Want usb 3.0 (which most boards have I guess)
5. Want and 1155 since I can change between Sandy Bridge chips If I want in the future.
6. Would like a p67. I'm not an overclocker, but I might want to try it someday.


Need help deciding between these boards or maybe even similar recommendations.




http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157230http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131706http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130582http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128476

 

[keto6789]

i guess my links didn't come out.

 

[jaquith]

I'm not a Gigabyte fan eSATA - depends if you want a backup HDD, if you have your data backed-up somewhere else then you're good. You want a PCIe x4 slot for maybe a future PCIe SSD. Items 3-6 are all on the MOBO.

I would either look at the ASUS P8P67 LE if you want a basic P67 w/1 GPU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131706

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}

 

[jsc]

I, on the other hand, am a Gigabyte fan. But the Asus P67 motherboards do seem to be more popular.

 

[jaquith]

Let me clarify, I do like Gigabytes High-end like UD7, UD9, etc -- it's their low~medium-end where the problems are magnified...

 

[keto6789]

Do the P8P67 have the ability to have front usb 3.0? I'd like to be able to use usb 3.0 on the front of my computer if possible. I heard AsRock'roll boards have that.

 

[keto6789]

also, someone left a comment on newegg that the RAM is TOO close to the CPU and you can only use the stock fan or something, is this true? I guess people will always have something negative to say about any product though.

 

[jaquith]

Q - What's the purpose of your build? {HTPC, Desktop, Gaming, Work, etc}

USB3 and ASUS P8P67:
1 x USB 3.0/2.0 connector(s) supports additional 2 USB ports (19-pin)
3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connector(s) support additional 6 USB ports

USB3 and ASUS P8P67 LE:
4 x USB connectors support additional 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports
No USB 3.0 header

Comments in general, filter-out Verified Owners; Newegg allows for 'rants' and if there's 2-3 in a row with more less the same parroted comments then it's the same crazy person.

RE: "comment on newegg that the RAM is TOO close to the CPU" I see bizarre and wrong comments all of the time, some one might have a Noctua NH-D14 and the problems see to be with mATX P67 the P8P67 is a full ATX e.g. http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34&lng=en

Also, I recommend the following CPU Fans
$43 Scythe SCMG-2100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
$58 Thermaltake Frio - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150

 

[keto6789]

Thanks Jaquith!

It's a desktop home machine, no gaming really, but I download and multitask a lot at once and watch vids on Youtube, etc. I was leaning towards the MSI P67A-G45 (B3) for 139.99 on Newegg. Do you have an opinion on that board, or is the Asus a better deal?

MSI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130582

Greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[jaquith]

Before I answer and give you 'for you' the Best possible answer, I need to know if you plan to OC the CPU.

Most people don't fully grasp the reasons MOBO's cost what they do -- it's primarily three fold: PCIe bandwidth, the Doodads, and Phases. Phases are extremely important, to a point, with longevity of a MOBO. So if the Phases are running 50% or higher vs 25% then the more strain, similar to a light bulb, they burn-out and you have a paperweight.

At minimum you want 8+2 Phase P67 with a K SB.

Example:
P8P67 is 12+2
P8P67 LE {not listed, looking at the picture I counted 4+1}
MSI P67A-G45 {not listed, ditto picture ... 4+1}

 

[keto6789]

Before I answer and give you 'for you' the Best possible answer, I need to know if you plan to OC the CPU.

Most people don't fully grasp the reasons MOBO's cost what they do -- it's primarily three fold: PCIe bandwidth, the Doodads, and Phases. Phases are extremely important, to a point, with longevity of a MOBO. So if the Phases are running 50% or higher vs 25% then the more strain, similar to a light bulb, they burn-out and you have a paperweight.

At minimum you want 8+2 Phase P67 with a K SB.

Example:
P8P67 is 12+2
P8P67 LE {not listed, looking at the picture I counted 4+1}
MSI P67A-G45 {not listed, ditto picture ... 4+1}

No, I've never overclocked and really don't see a need to (Hey, I've been happy up till now on a pentium D 2.66). I just want a faster computer, it's that simple really. What I notice on mine is that If I do things that load A LOT of info into memory and then multitask or turn on thumbnails in XP, things get REALLY slow and then sometimes I get the good ol BLUE SCREEN in XP. So I want a better machine. I'm not a gamer, but every once in a while i might want to play a first person shooter or maybe my flightsim.

 

[jaquith]

Okay, you keep MOBO + CPU for a very longtime -- then get a MOBO that will last a longtime {no 4+1 phase MOBOs} and offers expansion options.

~ $195 ASUS P8P67 Pro {if you like the idea of a mid-level GPU now and want an upgrade vs toss the old GPU}
~$165 ASUS P8P67 {I read the reviews on Newegg; look at the Verified and understand DAF people don't know what they're doing; e.g. XP install dummies or duh buying a non-SLI and bitching it lacks SLI}

CPU:
i7-2600 series 4-core + 4-Hyper Threads ; Multitasking (running Apps doing something in background)
i5-2500 series 4-core + 0-Hyper Threads ; Gaming ignores Hyper Threading
K - Allows for OC; hint if things get slow then 'someday' turn-up the CPU Multiplier

RAM:
I like the G.SKILL Ripjaws X series, minimum 2X2GB 1600 CAS 9/8, otherwise 2X4GB 1600 CAS 9/8 ; OS 64-bit is required >4GB.
$50~$130
$55 2X2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231443
$130 2X4GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

CPU Fan:
OEM {okay for small OC} or
$43 Scythe SCMG-2100 a/k/a Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

 

[keto6789]

Okay, you keep MOBO + CPU for a very longtime -- then get a MOBO that will last a longtime {no 4+1 phase MOBOs} and offers expansion options.

~ $195 ASUS P8P67 Pro {if you like the idea of a mid-level GPU now and want an upgrade vs toss the old GPU}
~$165 ASUS P8P67 {I read the reviews on Newegg; look at the Verified and understand DAF people don't know what they're doing; e.g. XP install dummies or duh buying a non-SLI and bitching it lacks SLI}

CPU:
i7-2600 series 4-core + 4-Hyper Threads ; Multitasking (running Apps doing something in background)
i5-2500 series 4-core + 0-Hyper Threads ; Gaming ignores Hyper Threading
K - Allows for OC; hint if things get slow then 'someday' turn-up the CPU Multiplier

RAM:
I like the G.SKILL Ripjaws X series, minimum 2X2GB 1600 CAS 9/8, otherwise 2X4GB 1600 CAS 9/8 ; OS 64-bit is required >4GB.
$50~$130
$55 2X2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231443
$130 2X4GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

CPU Fan:
OEM {okay for small OC} or
$43 Scythe SCMG-2100 a/k/a Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1500/asus_p8p67_spec.jpg

Thanks Jaquith! So you're saying the ASUS over the MSI I would guess? With the ASUS P8P67 LE would I be able to hook up fron usb 3.0? Also, another quick question. Will this setup support Windows 8 when it comes out, or should I not worry or care about that anyways?

Also, right now the i7 seems a little pricey. Could I be okay going with just the i5 2500 for now?

Thank you very much.

 

[jaquith]

The LE dosn't have a USB 3.0 onboard header; as above. It has 2X USB 3.0 at the I/O {rear}. At the minimum get the ASUS P8P67 (not the LE).

I get $, but I get longterm ooopsy.

My point was, between the lines the i5-2500 is fine, and in Gaming it performs practically the same as it's $ expensive cousin i7-2600. However, for $25 more get the i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

'Windows 8' or whatever they call it - more than likely it should run; depends on how over-bloated it gets. 'Windows 8' like Vista might suck! There a pattern: 98SE good, ME bad, XP good, Vista bad, 7 good, ....

 

[keto6789]

The LE dosn't have a USB 3.0 onboard header; as above. It has 2X USB 3.0 at the I/O {rear}. At the minimum get the ASUS P8P67 (not the LE).

I get $, but I get longterm ooopsy.

My point was, between the lines the i5-2500 is fine, and in Gaming it performs practically the same as it's $ expensive cousin i7-2600. However, for $25 more get the i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

'Windows 8' or whatever they call it - more than likely it should run; depends on how over-bloated it gets. 'Windows 8' like Vista might suck! There a pattern: 98SE good, ME bad, XP good, Vista bad, 7 good, ....

So this board I guess will do?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131705

 

[jaquith]

Yep, that's the MOBO; as I mentioned I read the feedback at Newegg -- mostly user error stuff. A comparable MOBO is the MSI P67A-GD65 (B3).

review1 - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/01/12/asus-p8p67-review/1
review2 - http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=677&Itemid=69

I wish I could convince you of the ASUS P8P67 Pro it's worth the $30. In general, I remind people how much time they spend in front of a PC. If you are looking at an nVidia GPU get the ASUS P8P67 Pro.

 

[keto6789]

Yep, that's the MOBO; as I mentioned I read the feedback at Newegg -- mostly user error stuff. A comparable MOBO is the MSI P67A-GD65 (B3).

review1 - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/01/12/asus-p8p67-review/1
review2 - http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=677&Itemid=69

I wish I could convince you of the ASUS P8P67 Pro it's worth the $30. In general, I remind people how much time they spend in front of a PC. If you are looking at an nVidia GPU get the ASUS P8P67 Pro.

I do use NVIDIA and plan on using my 9600 GT 512MB until I get a better one, so I guess I may go with the Pro. Is that better for something, the "Pro" version?

RATS! Don't see the "PRO" version on newegg, although I see the "Pro-M". I'd rather deal with Newegg.

Thanks a lot for all of your help today!

 

[jaquith]

I'm envisioning you having this PC for 5+ years with room to 'play' or 'expand' technologies. Example, at some point you'll want a faster GPU...then what do you do if it's too slow...well if you plan ahead you get an SLI capable GPU. If one GPU doesn't cut it anymore then get a second but 1/2 future priced duplicate GPU.

HDD or SATA2/3 SSD too slow...get a PCIe SSD. As of today, the PCIe SSD are almost twice as fast as the SATA3, or 1+GB/s {7 times faster than a HDD; 3-4 times faster than SSD}...problem 'today' they're very expensive ~$1,000+ in a year or two $200 after that less. The 'PRO' version has SLI AND an x4 PCIe to accommodate that super fast PCIe PLUS your SLI GPU. PCIe SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&SrchInDesc=Z-DRIVE&Page=1&PageSize=20

Meaning, you're not s-l-a-m maxed-out today with no where to go but replace...

To me this makes longterm sense.

 

[keto6789]

I'm envisioning you having this PC for 5+ years with room to 'play' or 'expand' technologies. Example, at some point you'll want a faster GPU...then what do you do if it's too slow...well if you plan ahead you get an SLI capable GPU. If one GPU doesn't cut it anymore then get a second but 1/2 future priced duplicate GPU.

HDD or SATA2/3 SSD too slow...get a PCIe SSD. As of today, the PCIe SSD are almost twice as fast as the SATA3, or 1+GB/s {7 times faster than a HDD; 3-4 times faster than SSD}...problem 'today' they're very expensive ~$1,000+ in a year or two $200 after that less. The 'PRO' version has SLI AND an x4 PCIe to accommodate that super fast PCIe PLUS your SLI GPU. PCIe SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&SrchInDesc=Z-DRIVE&Page=1&PageSize=20

Meaning, you're not s-l-a-m maxed-out today with no where to go but replace...

To me this makes longterm sense.

Thanks Jaquith. I appreciate all your help, but I'm not gonna get TOO carried away. You've got to remember I've been happily using a Pentium D 2.66 for 4 or 5 years, so I think the regular HDD and 1 vid card will be plenty, but I understand what your saying about the future.

 

[jaquith]

In my case, not getting carried away, we use i7-930, SSD, and RAID 1 HDD. I run and test a database App. On an old P4 it takes 20 minutes to process data, on the i7 w/HDD 10+ minutes, on the SSD 5 minutes. However, I have some tests that take hours. Similar % for e.g. DVD Fab

So it depends on your needs. If I could 'add something' CPU, SSD, PCIe on that old P4 and I could get it to work, spending $200 vs $1700 is a better trade-off. I remember way back when I got that single core P4 -- I told myself the same thing - it's plenty fast.

I 90% feel at some point you'll get an SSD, it's like a new PC all by itself. It's not about starting Windows or copying files the entire 'feel' is well -- instant. Currently, they're 1/2 Price of what they were 1+ year ago and the prices continue to fall, and getting less than a 100+GB is a waste, you need room for OS + Apps and large data files.

Anyway, Good Luck on your build!

 

[keto6789]

Wait a minute, I think I now see what you're saying Jaquith! The SSD is cool and I could even use a $100 one for my main drive, correct?

So My present Asus P8P67 wouldn't support that. What about if I get that MSI board I was mentioning earlier ... would that support the SLI and 2 PCI-e slots?

This one?
MSI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130582

Thanks Buddy.

 

[jaquith]

Cheap but good SSD:
$210 OCZ 120GB 285/275 MB/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227551
$175 Kingston 128 GB 230/180 MB/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139113

What I do is use the SSD for Windows and Applications and 'working documents' -- then the DATA is stored on the HDD. You can change the Default locations of Documents, Music, Photos, etc to the HDD -> http://hubpages.com/hub/Windows-7_-_Moving_My_Documents

Again, see above, the MSI P67A-G45 (B3) is 4+1 Phases -- reason it's so cheap. I hate it when the MOBO hides the number - deceptive to me.

 

[keto6789]

Cheap but good SSD:
$210 OCZ 120GB 285/275 MB/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227551
$175 Kingston 128 GB 230/180 MB/s - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139113

What I do is use the SSD for Windows and Applications and 'working documents' -- then the DATA is stored on the HDD. You can change the Default locations of Documents, Music, Photos, etc to the HDD -> http://hubpages.com/hub/Windows-7_-_Moving_My_Documents

Again, see above, the MSI P67A-G45 (B3) is 4+1 Phases -- reason it's so cheap. I hate it when the MOBO hides the number - deceptive to me.

So are there any mobos besides the ASUS PRO that you'd recommend because it's virtually impossible to find right now (I guess due to the recall). I know the ssd might be fast, but do you think it's something I really NEED? I'm confused. And I really don't think I'll ever use multiple video cards, but who knows ....

In short, if I could get the ASUS P8P67 Pro, I'd get it because of everything you mentioned above, but I'm impatient and would like to get started this week on my build. I had an ASUS back in the Windows 98 era and I know they're good boards, but ... I hate waiting!

 

[jaquith]

The vanilla ASUS P8P67 is available, and the ASUS P8P67 Pro should be for sale any day. They will probably be one of the top sellers along with the ASUS P8P67 DELUXE.

Any P67 will work. It's a question of how long and how well.

 

[keto6789]

Could you tell me the difference between the vanilla and pro again Jaquith?

If I get the vanilla will I be able to do the ssd in the future?
thanks