New Build / Gigabyte / AMD

[fred3]

I'm launching a new build which I expect will be mostly a "workstation" although I do tend to load my computers up with lots of app's/threads.

This will be based on a Gigabyte MB and an AMD chip.

I've looked a bit GA-970-UD3 and Phenom II X6 but notice that some here recommend X4 which appear to be a few bucks less than the X6.

I'd like to hit the high end of performance mostly for long life and won't likely try any overclocking. But folks could comment on that. I just want it to *work* without too much trouble but I'm willing to look at overclocking if the performance difference is compelling. 20% isn't compelling......

I'd like on board video just for convenience and as it's likely going to be fine for what I do .. so the GA-970-UD3 isn't going to be a choice in that regard.

I think that 8GB would be the minimum but might like to have 16GB IF the price is right. I see some quite attractive prices for 8GB kits so if that's a possibility ..... ?
I guess this means 4 RAM slots....

So:
What Gigabyte MB would you recommend with video and with reasonably priced RAM available?

 

[ewood]

i hate to throw a wrench in the works but it sounds like a i5 2500 would fit your needs well. It can be easily overclocked to great effect and has built in onboard video that should be sufficient. quick sync would be very useful to you if you do a lot of transcoding. just food for thought

 

[inzone]

Would you have a budget amount that you want to share with us so we don't go listing outrageous parts that you would have no intention of getting. Ewood has a good point with the 2500k as it is cheap enough and is overclock friendly and can easily can be cooled on air. Memory is so cheap right now you can easily get 16gb for under $100.

 

[fred3]

i5 with video? Or is 2500K a MB?

"some" 16GB for under $100 but surely not all. That's one reason to select a MB carefully but maybe I'm missing something.

 

[fred3]

So far I've been able to price out a CPU, MB, RAM, HD, SSD and DVD BD for under $800. If I can keep this under $1000 it would be meeting reasonable objectives.
No case or PS because I have those.

 

[fred3]

OK - I get i5-2500k now..... leaves the MB question still.

 

[fred3]

I've worked my way throught the Gigabyte web site / products and have found the list of Socket 1155, H67 Chipset boards. Now I guess what I need to do is to pick one of the many available. I can likely spend a lot of time and sort it out and still miss some important points that y'all might make.

Is there a decoder ring for D2-B3, SD3-B3, UD2H-B3, D2H, UD3H, UD3, UD2H etc? Or, does one just have to read the specs for each one?

In addition to the on board video of all of the ones I'd look at, I rather like what I see on the GA-H67A-UD3H.
- 4 memory slots
- 3 PCI slots in addition to PCIe (to support legacy devices)
- 6GB SATA
- USB 3.0 ports

Good? Not so good? Better choices?

 

[saran008]

If you want to overclock ,H67 boards are not recommended as they won't support OC.

You have to go with P67 or latest Z68 chips.. if you are not going to use more than 1 graphics card i'd suggest you to get Asrock Z68 pro3 (m-atx or atx of your choice)

hope this helps..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157270&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1nt0xppj8edm6

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=7q9ympmsk2aj

i recommend atx version, so that u have 4 rams slots & if you put 16gigs, you'll get a monster..

as it is z68 you can use with in-built video itself or if you feel that is not enough, you can get a good gpu..

best bang for buck mobo atm.

 

[fred3]

Best answer selected by fred3.

 

[fred3]

I settled on a GA-Z68P-UD3. I read where it was a Tom's Hardware 2011 pick and it appears to meet all of my druthers.

The i5-2500K recommendation stuck so I'm saying that's the best answer. But saran008's answer re: boards was very helpful too.
Does anyone know how the single PS/2 ports are used? Is a splitter provided or.... ?