Raymond Luxury Yacht on 28/10/2011 at 02:36
I thought I'd defer to the experts...
Is there a decent Intel motherboard, socket 1155, that is any good for under a hundred bucks? I have been considering Intel ever since I read a benchmark comparison where the i3 2100 spanked the X4 965 in nearly everything. Since my new rig, whenever it is that I get around to building it, will be basically for gaming and net surfing, I was planning to go with a streamlined, no extras system. So I am curious as to info/comments/opinions on a cheaper motherboard, not for financial reason, but for pragmatism. I don't need 3 PCIe x16 slots, 4 PCi slots, 6 Sata 3 connexions, 12 USB ports and so on, so I can't really see spending too much. On the other hand, this is a build to last awhile, so if a $115 mobo makes sense (because it's the quality that will last 5 years) I will certainly spend the money.
For reference, all I plan to set up is a discrete GPU (68xx or possibly a 6950, or a 560TI if it's worth the extra), one or two DVD-ROM and one mechanical hard drive. That's all I need or want. I will initially go with 8GB of RAM, and can't see needing more, but it seems most boards accept 16 or more. I don't know if ATX vs micro-ATX will matter, as far as a case goes (as in, is once size better for a HAF 912 or Antec Three Hundred?).
Finally, is the i3 the way to go, vs an AMD system? I have pieced one of those together (AMD system), including monitor, for a little over $800. Given that the i5 is $100 more and the motherboards on Newegg with any sort of decent rating are $115 and above, an Intel system would run me closer to a grand, which is fine if the quality is there. Paying more simply for a name is dumb, but you get what you pay for, so a $60 Biostar board might be just that...cheap.
I know AMD just came out with their new processor line, so by the time I get the money together for my build (my first) I wonder if Intel will have a new line of processors, and the price will lower on the i5...?
P.S. my 7.5 yr old P4 running XP is still kicking so until it dies the Boss won't allow me to get a new rig. Considering how long the old girl has lasted it might be a year before I get to build this thing...
