confused with gaming mobo

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tripialos

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Dec 12, 2012
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Hi everyone

I am planning to build a gaming PC which is going to be with an AMD 8350 8 core cpu with randeon graphics card.

I did some googling and found out some good options are the below motherboards:

Asus sabertooth 990fx
Asus Crossblade Ranger
Asus Z87-A
GIGABYTE GA-F2A88X

HOWEVER, i also read an article explainend that the motherboard should be picked up according to the below:

a) Will you use duble graphic card (SLI - cross)
b) Will you overclock?

Thing is that i am not palling to overlock my cpu nor to use double graphics cards hence i am confused regarding what the obove-like gaming mobos has to offer considering the fact that i wont overclock nor SLI.

Can someone please help me with below questions:
1) What does a "gaming" motherboard has to offer from "common" ones.
2) If not planning to overclock or dual graphics will you have same performance with common mobo compared with a "gaming" one?
3) I see a gaming mobo which provides crossfire and overclocking cost lets say 150$ and a common one costs 60$. Is the difference on those two mentioned components?

Thanks
 
Solution
geofelt
1. Gaming to describe a motherboard or any pc component is mostly marketing.
The most reasonable explanation might be to describe a motherboard capable of using dual cards.
2. yes.
3. In addition to CF capability, more expensive motherboards will have better quality components that enable higher voltages required for overclocking. More expensive chipsets might offer more sata ports or usb ports...
Here is an article which might help:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html


On your list of possible motherboards, the Asus Z87-A is only for an intel cpu.

Is your primary game FSX? If so, a 8350 is a reasonable cpu choice since FSX is one of the few games that can use more than 2-3 cores.
Otherwise, a...
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Two of those motherboards wouldn't work with an FX series chip. Asus Z87-A is an Intel LGA1150 board. GA-F2A88X is an FM2 or FM2+ board. Your chosen CPU requires a AM3+ socket.

If you aren't overclocking and you aren't planning on a second graphics card then you don't need a 'gaming' motherboard. They are built for enthusiasts who plan to do those things. Yes the reduced quality and component count results in a cheaper product.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $313.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-16 10:56 EDT-0400

 
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1. Gaming to describe a motherboard or any pc component is mostly marketing.
The most reasonable explanation might be to describe a motherboard capable of using dual cards.
2. yes.
3. In addition to CF capability, more expensive motherboards will have better quality components that enable higher voltages required for overclocking. More expensive chipsets might offer more sata ports or usb ports...
Here is an article which might help:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html


On your list of possible motherboards, the Asus Z87-A is only for an intel cpu.

Is your primary game FSX? If so, a 8350 is a reasonable cpu choice since FSX is one of the few games that can use more than 2-3 cores.
Otherwise, a FX-8350, particularly if not overclocked is a poor choice for gaming. The cores are slow and most of them will not be used.
I suggest you look at a i3-4160 or similar which will be priced lower and perform better..
Most any lga1150 motherboard will be fine.
Read this gaming cpu selection article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html
 
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Solution
1) it has the word gaming in the name. It also comes with a bunch of useless ports and a high price tag.
2)yes you will have the same performance from a "standard" motherboard if you overclock or dual graphics.
3) well you see it depends on the ports. the gaming mobo is $90 more. so of course there will be a performance gap. usually a good mobo will cost you $100. But $60 is a mid to low range budget motherboard.

So what is there to be learned from this, gaming in the name doesn't make it better then other motherboards. The specs do. Gaming is just a sales pitch and should be disregarded.
 
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Thanks everyone for your help! All answears were clear and straight to the point.

@geofelt

Thing with the CPU is really bothering me. Loads of people told me exactly what you stated, on the 8-core AMD most cores wont be used and Intels CPUs have much better cores.

However intel`s processors are so expensive so i thoygh getting an 8 core 4ghz cpu would just fill the gap.
 
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Here is an older comparison of gaming cpu's which includes a FX-8350 and an older i3-3220.
They perform comparably.
But, the i3-3220 with a passmark rating of 4210 is superceeded by the lowest priced i3-4130 @$115which has a passmark rating of 4796 and it goes on from there.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-9.html

The reason is that intel haswell cpu chips are very efficient per clock because of superior architecture. Perhaps 30% faster than FX cores. And, intel has a superior integrated ram controller that intelligently prefetches needed data so it does not depend on fast ram for performance.

The really nice thing about an i3 is that the same motherboard that supports a i3 will also support a i5 or i7 future upgrade.
With a FX you are stuck.
 
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