First time build - Advice on Motherboard

[LaurieJ]

I'm building a pc for the first time and I've been doing a lot of research to make sure I get the right parts. I've been searching for a good motherboard but the reviews about DOAs or faulty ones make me nervous. What are the odds I get one? Also, I'm leaning towards and AMD mobo because I found a processor that I like and is a good price compared to intel:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=19-103-886&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=8#scrollFullInfo

These are the AMD motherboards I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-131-767&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-262&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=4&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-280&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=4#scrollFullInfo

Are these good ones? Should I be concerned about the bad reviews? I'm open to other suggerstions.

If I decided on Intel because they have a bit more reliability I was considering the i3 2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1 GHZ with one of these motherboards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157296

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131793

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-271&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

(It's going to be a home pc, mainly used for web browsing, email, video chatting, and games for a younger sibling. I'd like it to have the capability if my sibling wants to start playing more intense games.)

Would I need to buy a graphics card?

Specs in the making:

Rosewill Challenger ATX mid tower
Western Digital RE4 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Possible cpus and mobos listed above

Any advice would be great! Thanks

 

[o1die]

These are my choices:

For the cpu, newegg has the 955 phenom II oem for only $80 after $10 promo code. Add to that a coolermaster hyper 212 or xigmatec 120mm cooler, and you're set (links didn' work)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138345

For the type of applications you use your system for, you don't really need a fancy board. Micro atx boards are a little easier to handle and mount. The four core amd cpu for $80 after promo code is a bargain and will last you a long time.

 

[obubdeno]

If your not really looking to go way indepth crazy into the gaming and aren't looking for Max Ultra Settings I would go with one of the FX bulldozer cpu's and an AMD Motherboard.

Personally I had a ASRock 970 Extreme 3 and it was a great AM3+ Board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280 $79.99 Lots of good reviews.

For a CPU Id look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106009

Its the Best Gaming CPU available from AMD and its only $139.99

Hope I could help!

 

[LaurieJ]

These are my choices:

For the cpu, newegg has the 955 phenom II oem for only $80 after $10 promo code. Add to that a coolermaster hyper 212 or xigmatec 120mm cooler, and you're set (links didn' work)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138345

For the type of applications you use your system for, you don't really need a fancy board. Micro atx boards are a little easier to handle and mount. The four core amd cpu for $80 after promo code is a bargain and will last you a long time.

Thanks! I definitely like the Coolermaster hyper 212 (Xigmatec is deactivated on newegg) and will most likely get it, even if the processor I buy comes with a HSF.

The CPU i was looking at was the Athlon II x3 (sorry the link didn't work). Is the difference between a triple core and quad a big one? or is the difference between the series what matters?

Thanks again!

 

[LaurieJ]

If your not really looking to go way indepth crazy into the gaming and aren't looking for Max Ultra Settings I would go with one of the FX bulldozer cpu's and an AMD Motherboard.

Personally I had a ASRock 970 Extreme 3 and it was a great AM3+ Board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280 $79.99 Lots of good reviews.

For a CPU Id look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106009

Its the Best Gaming CPU available from AMD and its only $139.99

Hope I could help!

Yup, plenty of help! I was leaning towards the ASRock 970 over the other boards initially and another vote makes me want to get it. Question though - since it doesn't have any VGA/DVI ports was it a hassle getting a video card for it? I figured most mobo's would come with it, like the biostar o1die suggested, and that one was a micro. I figured a full ATX would come with a VGA at least?

 

[o1die]

No. If the board doesn't have a vga or dvi port, you'll need a separate video card; I got my fanless msi 210 for only 27 cents after rebate plus sales tax at frys recently. It's up to you; I like the cheaper smaller boards with onboard video, but my 210 is slightly faster than the onboard 4250 video chipset on the biostar.