Motherboard upgrade, what to get?

[Max_Styker]

I currently have a ga-h81-s2h motherboard but id really like to get one with a bit more punch that can handle faster memory and multiple graphics cards. i know my cpu isnt the best and i will upgrade it eventually and probably the psu if i want to sli. Now, is there a motherboard that can handle 16gb ddr4 memory, that can also sli, that is still compatible with my cpu, i can also just buy a motherboard cpu combo then upgrade the rest later.
Specs:
I5-4590
gtx 980 founders
8gb ddr3 1600 ram
650 watts
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3769761
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3792756

 

[WildCard999]

While the CPU is still pretty good there's really no reason to buy a older motherboard, especially when memory speeds make little difference at least in gaming and SLI driver support is really poor.

Wait and save up until you have enough money for a upgrade to AMD Ryzen/Intel Coffeelake, a suitable motherboard and DDR4 RAM and a GPU upgrade if the 980 isn't good enough for your uses.

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

If you really want a 1150 motherboard that supports SLI then your going to want to look used or buying new is going to cost well over $250. Also your PSU may not even be good enough for SLI so you'd need to double check that but with the lack of SLI driver profiles it's a bad idea as in some games you may see either no increase in performance over a single card or even worse performance then a single GPU.

 

[bignastyid]

Your 4th gen cpu does not support DDR4. Best option would be to keep saving till you can get a cpu, motherboard and ram. Just upgrading your board and faster ram will give you little to no performance gain. Also SLI and Crossfire are starting to trend the way of the dodo so it's not exactly a good investment either.

 

[Eximo]

SLI with GTX 980 isn't all it is cracked up to be. A single 1080Ti more than does their job. I personally switched to a single 1080 when that came out since some of the games I played didn't benefit from SLI. Many of the newer game engines don't support SLI or Crossfire either. Adoption of DX12 multi-GPU has been quite slow as well.

 

[bignastyid]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Max_Styker : "Which Motherboard combo?"

I currently have a ga-h81-s2h motherboard but id really like to get one with a bit more punch that can handle faster memory and multiple graphics cards. i know my cpu isnt the best and i will upgrade it eventually and probably the psu if i want to sli. Now, is there a motherboard that can handle 16gb ddr4 memory, that can also sli, that is still compatible with my cpu, i can also just buy a motherboard cpu combo then upgrade the rest later.
Specs:
I5-4590
gtx 980 founders
8gb ddr3 1600 ram
650 watts

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3792756
or
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3769761
idk which one, screw keeping the cpu,ill upgrade it all

 

[geofelt]

Do not waste your money.
Intel does not benefit significantly from faster ram.

sli is a losing proposition; you will game better with a single good graphics card.

Your best cpu upgrade is a I7-4790
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H81M-S2H-rev-10#support-cpu

There is no motherboard that can handle ddr4 ram and your cpu.

If you are looking for a bigger boost in cpu power, you are looking at a new cpu, motherboard and ram.
8th gen intel or ryzen.

 

[bignastyid]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Max_Styker : "Motherboard cpu upgrade?"

Specs:
I5-4590
gtx 980 founders
8gb ddr3 1600 ram
650 watts
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3769761
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3792756

 

[bignastyid]

Please keep your upgrade discussion to 1 thread.

 

[bignastyid]

If you still want SLI support then neither of those combos will work as neither of the boards support SLI.

 

[Karadjgne]

You'd need a high end / enthusiast class board for sli. Most mid-grade boards with multiple cards support just Crossfire.

Upgrading to a really expensive board is a waste of money as your resale options will be limited, you'll loose your shirt on it, unless you buy used.

Most motherboards performance is extremely similar, so much so that users really couldn't see any difference at all. All you really pay more for is the options, things like sli, OC, ram speed, multiple usb3 headers etc.

Best bet is as said earlier, live with what you have until it's time to replace cpu, mobo and ram in 1 shot.