Best mobo combo for what I need?

[OldChipper]

I’ve been lurking in the back-ground trying to keep up with what is going on! But, I think I need your advice. I want to build one last computer. Just to many choices! I’m in my seventies so this should my last one. Here are the facts.
I don’t game, very little music recording. I do a lot of genealogy, so I have a lot of programs running at one time. Up to 4 DVD drives going at once. I do some photo editing. I want speed, much as I can get, but I won’t overclock. I would like to stay under $300 or $400 on a Motherboard Processor combo. To blasted shaky to be messing with installing a Processor. Would like lots of expansion slots. plus USB-2 and USB-3 ports.
I want one that will work okay with Windows 7, just plain don’t like Windows 8.
In the past I have stuck with AMD, to me they seem to run cooler and have never had one fail, can’t say that about the other. Which AMD combo would be as good choice? They also look be a little better priced?

 

[anathema_forever]

my recommendation is 16gb rams minimum for your requirements. Intel cpu are better on the high end and amd is a better deal on the low end.

 

[Super Batman]

An AMD Combo that is great is the FX 8350 and The ASUS M5A99FX Pro R2.0, or the Gigabyte 990FXA UD-(3,5, or 7, depening on the price.) Throw in a Hyper 212 Evo and you got a very nice system.
Both Motherboards are loaded with Sata III ports.

An Intel combo is a i5 4670 and a ASUS H87M-E LGA 1150 Intel H87.
If you have the money go for the i7 4770.
The Motherboard has 6xSata III ports so it should work great for you.