rizwanmithawala

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Jun 10, 2012
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Hi Folks,

Please help me choose a motherboard for i3 2120. I am going to make the purchase in some hours.

I have shortlisted the following. Differences are highlighted in bold font.
Which one would be better. Which brand is better in terms of build quality/durability and after-sales service. Also please advice me if there is a better model available in the same price range. Please help me take a decision.
Thanks!


ASUS P8H61-M LX Motherboard
http://www.flipkart.com/asus-p8h61-m-lx-motherboard/p/itmd5ppvvz2pjkwe?pid=MBDD5PPVTRZZKZYS&ref=80f7398f-feb3-4932-a08d-8e4fbd2216f3

Intel H61 (B3) Chipset
2 Memory Slots
Maximum 16 GB DDR3
Dual Channel DIMM Memory
4 SATA 3 Gb/s Headers with Intel H61(B3) Chipset Controller
Audio Channels:8
SATA 3 Gb/s Headers:4
USB 2.0 Headers:3

Integrated Graphics card

BACK PANEL PORTS
USB 2.0 Ports, Controller:4, Intel H61(B3) Chipset
VGA/D Sub Ports:1
Audio I/O Channels: 3
RJ-45 Ethernet Jacks:1
PS/2:2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Gigabyte GA-H61M-D2H Motherboard
http://www.flipkart.com/gigabyte-ga-h61m-d2h-motherboard/p/itmd5rrrkdwuhkgm?pid=MBDD5RRR4FJKZYRX&ref=ae799ccc-0df8-4e69-ae57-653cbc58e198

Intel H61 Express
4 Memory Slots
Maximum 16 GB DDR3
Dual Channel DIMM Memory
1 HDMI Port
SATA 3 Gb/s Headers:4
Audio Channels:7.1
USB 2.0 Headers: 2


Integrated Graphics card

BACK PANEL PORTS
USB 2.0 Ports, Controller:4, Intel H61 Express
HDMI Ports:1
DVI Ports:1

VGA/D Sub Ports:1
Audio I/O Channels: 3
RJ-45 Ethernet Jacks:1
PS/2:2
 

rizwanmithawala

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Jun 10, 2012
32
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thanks so much!

Well that's the question. If I put a 4 gb RAM now, I can only add another 4 gb later and I'll be stuck at 8 GB.

I can't add a 8 gb with a 4 gb. With 4 slots, I can go on adding 4 gb sticks.

Apart from that, ASUS has 3 USB 2.0 headers wile the Gigabyte one has 2.

Gigabyte has HDMI Ports:1 and DVI Ports:1. The Dell Ultrasharp monitor I am going to buy does not have HDMI. Will the DVI port make a difference.

A friend of mine advised against the Intel H61 Express.

Please advice.
 
If you're not installing a discrete video card, then you want a motherboard with a DVI port. In this case, the Gigabyte is your best option. You're buying an H61 motherboard because they are inexpensive, not because they are the best that you could buy. A motherboard that costs much more won't necessarily make the system faster, but you'll get more features.
 

rizwanmithawala

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Jun 10, 2012
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thank you!
could you please explain further. I am not installing a graphics card now but will install later.
how does the DVI port help when there is no graphics card?
And what happens when I install a graphics card?
 

rizwanmithawala

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Jun 10, 2012
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Thank you so much!

So I shouldn't buy a motherboard without a DVI port as I am not buying a graphics card right now.

But I am still confused: I am going to buy the i3 2120 CPU which has Intel HD Graphics 2000 and the H61 also has integrated graphics. So what will I use in the absence of discrete graphics card?
Will the H61 motherboard allow e to use Intel HD Graphics 2000 onboard the i3 2120?

I am really confused. Please advice.
 

ILauta

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Jun 14, 2012
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h61 from asus or gigabyte let you use the integrated graphics of your procesor i3.

Avoid p67 series of mobos cuz they dont let you use integrated graphics.

talking about ram, if you buy one stick of 4gb you will be ok,and put another 4gb later will be a great upgrade,but put 8 and then another 8 is useless so much ram you will probably not use. So, from my point of view 2 slot for ram is OK.