Best Mobo For My Build?

[Lobodomy]

Hey everyone, I've once again managed a slight budget increase, and have come here looking for advice related to my motherboard.

My current build includes:
- Intel Core i5 2500k
- For the time being, I will be using either the i5 2500k's integrated graphics, or a friend's old HD 4350.
- Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
- G.Skill Ripjaws X 4GB DDR3 1600
- Corsair HX850 850W
- Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
- Asus 24X CD/DVD Burner
- Cooler Master HAF 932

In the not-so-distant future I plan to add:
- an HD 6970
- a 2nd HD 6970 for CF
- a SSD
- a CPU fan
- a Sound Card
- and possibly a 2nd HDD

So the current mobo I have selected is, as mention above, the Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

That will cost me about $160, but I now have up to around $200 to spend on the mobo.

Oh yeah, and I'm going to be using this computer for gaming and video and sound editing.

These are what I've found, with the rounded prices included:
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 - $190
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498
GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD4-B3 - $210 ($190 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128478
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) - $190 ($190 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229
MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) - $205 ($185 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130574

These prices are the cheapest prices I could find, none of which come from Newegg (as I am located in Canada).

So any recommendation or advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[o1die]

It never fails to amaze me that some folks equate more money with a better board. Does the Gigabyte board have all the slots you will need? Do you plan on using sli or other two card setups? If the gigabyte board does everything you need, then I would go ahead and order it. Only wildcard is overclocking. Some of the p67 boards may do this better than a z68. Not to be sarcastic, but that's all you need to ask yourself. I'm all for saving money. Use the money saved for your ssd. I love mine, even though it's only 32 gb.

 

[Lobodomy]

I would have preferred if you simply told me that there's no reason to spend any more money and carried on with your explanation, because that first remark sounded somewhat snobby to me. I don't know much about motherboards, which is why I came here asking if there are any better options now that I've increased my budget.

Regardless, thank you very much. The Gigabyte board that I currently have selected does give me everything I really need (I think?), so I guess there's no reason to get something different. Like I said, I'm not sure if there is any reason to get something different, which is why I'm here asking for help!

Thanks again.

 

[o1die]

Sorry for the snobery. People sometimes feel that if they spend more, they'll get better quality. Just be sure you're happy with your purchase. I've seen people trying to unload high end boards on craigslist because they made the wrong choice and take a substantial loss.

 

[Lobodomy]

It's no problem! I probably did sound like one of those people who think that more money results in higher quality. Especially since I know so little about motherboards.

I forgot about the CPU+Mobo bundles on Newegg, so I put them together. After the $25 savings, with the original Gigabyte board I had selected, I'm $1 under my "comfortable" budget. So I'm very happy pre-purchase. I hope to be equally happy once I purchase everything and put it together!

 

[Lobodomy]

Best answer selected by Lobodomy.