First Build Need Mobo/RAM help ASAP

[czarmurphy]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: $300!!!

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Programming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: See below

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: none

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: none

OVERCLOCKING: On select parts

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1080p

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

This is my first build, and I've actually been making some pretty good progress in my opinion. I have almost everything I need, except for the motherboard and RAM. Here is my current build:

CPU:

i5-760

https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I5-760BOX&title=Intel-Core-i5-Processor-i5-760-2-8GHz-8MB-LGA1156-CPU-Retail

GPU:

GTX 460

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261076&cm_re=Palit_GTX_460-_-14-261-076-_-Product

HDD/CD Drive Combo:

1TB Samsung Spinpoint / CD Drive

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/38576/1tb-samsung-spinpoint-f3-hd103sj-internal-hard-drive-$59,-1.5tb-samsung-hd154ui-ecogreen-internal-hard-drive-$68

(the CD drive is not listed at the top of the page, but the deal totaled to $71 with the HDD)

Case/PSU Combo:

Antec 900 / XFX 750W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492896

CPU Cooler:

Cooler Master Hyper 212+

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0

Monitor:

Asus VH236H

http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-vh236h-23-widescreen-hd-lcd-monitor-1920x1080-20000-1-2ms-hdmi/q/loc/101/210917291.html


The two things I have left to buy are the motherboard and the RAM. As you can see from my CPU purchase, I need it to be an 1156 socket type. I would like it to be <$200, but still a nice mobo. I plan on SLI in the next few months, so I need it to be SLI compatible. USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 are not extremely important (I'm not very experienced with them), but if it's a good deal I will go for it. I don't plan on overclocking the mobo much (I don't see any significant benefits), but I will overclock my CPU and maybe my RAM (my GPU is factory overclocked).

I am torn on what motherboard to buy; I like both Asus and Gigabyte, with the latter having my slight preference. However, all but the most expensive motherboards from Gigabyte do not have SLI support, and Asus has a lot of products, making selection confusing. I don't want to rule other board manufacturers out, but these two seem to have the best rep.

What can you guys tell me? I am open to suggestions about USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0 as well. If you convince they're important, I will definitely consider them as well.

Thank you for you feedback.

 

[obsidian86]

pretty solid build there

for board the asus p55 e pro

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621 if you wantto sli in future

ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226154

 

[czarmurphy]

Awesome, that's one of the ones I was looking at. But can you tell me why I want to pay that premium for the USB 3.0 and SATA 3.0?

The P55 splits its bandwidth to x8/x8 for SLI mode. But if I'm correct, when you activate either of those two mentioned features, it also wants your bandwidth, forcing me down to x8/x4/x4 (I guess). I don't mind x8/x8 for SLI, but x4 would be pretty rough. It just seems like USB and SATA 3.0 aren't practical for P55 SLI configs.

Thoughts?

 

[obsidian86]

i do not believe that board cuts pci band width to use usb 3 and sata 6gb/s

 

[czarmurphy]

Interesting. I will check on that and be back in a second.

 

[czarmurphy]

It looks like this board contains something called a PLX chip, which according to this website

http://techgage.com/article/asus_p7p55d-e_pro/

essentially adds a second x16 lane to provide the needed bandwidth to the USB and SATA. So it looks like it will work!

Thank you very much for your help! I will look into the RAM right now.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

there is a crazy tiny board from EVGA thats really inexpensive that has SLIx2 on a micro ATX board. Its only $75.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188064

Its got several reviews, none negative, but it is 8x whether you have 1 or 2 cards present

 

[czarmurphy]

Ha, thanks for the suggestion, but I guess I'm looking for something that's a little... safer... This is my first build, so I want to stick to the basics as much as possible. I'd like to keep the standard computer parts in mind.

 

[czarmurphy]

Best answer selected by czarmurphy.