I am planning on building a new HTPC / Media Server. I have decided on the core i3 Clarkdale and research has led me to believe that the best value for RAID 5 (for media storage) is to get a mobo with the new Intel H57 chipset with Intel Rapid Storage Technology. The plan is to have one main HDD for the system (purchased a Seagate Barracuda 7200.14) and then have 5 2TB hdds in the RAID5 array (or more if possible).
From what I can see there are currently only two good options for H57 mobos:
Gigabyte GA-H57M-USB3 - Looks like a great mobo. Reviews are solid. $120 + $8 shipping at NewEgg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128430&cm_re=h57-_-13-128-430-_-Product
Asus P7H57D-V EVO - Looks fantastic. Reviews are also solid. $150 + $3 shipping at NewEgg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131624&cm_re=h57-_-13-131-624-_-Product
The Gigabyte runs 5 SATA connections through the H57 and the Asus runs 6 SATA connections. An extra SATA port in the RAID array gives me greater ability to expand down the road.
Are there any other options for an ATX H57 mobo, or is the Asus currently the only one in existence?
Reccomendations or advice on the mobo options?
The H57 chipset looks pretty good for my purposes for RAID 5. Would you agree?
From what I can see there are currently only two good options for H57 mobos:
Gigabyte GA-H57M-USB3 - Looks like a great mobo. Reviews are solid. $120 + $8 shipping at NewEgg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128430&cm_re=h57-_-13-128-430-_-Product
Asus P7H57D-V EVO - Looks fantastic. Reviews are also solid. $150 + $3 shipping at NewEgg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131624&cm_re=h57-_-13-131-624-_-Product
The Gigabyte runs 5 SATA connections through the H57 and the Asus runs 6 SATA connections. An extra SATA port in the RAID array gives me greater ability to expand down the road.
Are there any other options for an ATX H57 mobo, or is the Asus currently the only one in existence?
Reccomendations or advice on the mobo options?
The H57 chipset looks pretty good for my purposes for RAID 5. Would you agree?