Recommended Motherboard for an i3 550

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Quantum10

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Nov 27, 2010
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Hello:

I am considering to build my own PC with my father given the cost effectiveness compared to buying a pre-built machine. I am replacing a Dell Inspiron 580 that I paid approx. $700 for last Feb which was lost due to water damage in my home. So, I am being practical in terms of total expenditure.

I'd like to use an Intel i3 550 CPU, and would appreciate any recommendations toward the most reliable, cost-effective motherboard.
I have spent countless hours researching reviews from various manufacturers including Intel, Asus, ASRock, Biostar, etc. My initial instinct was to purchase an Intel MoBo, but it seems like they have the worst reviews.

I was hopeful to find a board with 4 memory slots and ability to upgrade to i5 or i7 CPU in the future. I plan to use the following components as well:

Western Digital 500 GB Caviar Blue ($39.99 CompUSA)
Corsair 4GB DDR3 $89.99
Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PSU $79.99 -OR- Antec 450W PSU $44.95 ($19.95 after rebate)
Radeon HD5570 video card for simultaneous use of 3 monitors
Lite-On IHA522406 DVD/CD drive

I will genuinely appreciate any insight the good members of this forum may be able to share in recommending a motherboard.

Sincerely,
Quantum10


 
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Hi jaquith:

Thanks -- I do apologize for having missed your resolution recommendation. What resolution did you suggest?

Also, I just finished reading the very informative article you linked to regarding HD Eyefinity. It seems the article is touting the effectiveness of the HD 5450 for non-gaming users, like myself. You had previously recommended the 5770.

Seems as though the 5450 would be sufficient based on this article?

Sincerely,
Quantum10
 
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I use the HD 5770 in an office environment and defiantly not in a gaming environment, I wanted 100% DVI {digital} and not D-Sub a/k/a VGA {analog}. We use Eyefinity, I prefer 2 screens and found 3 too distracting. Most HD 5770 have 2x DVI + HDMI. Further, 'just in case' I wanted a GPU that was either CF or SLI; this comes into place for rendering beyond games.

If you look at my 'More information' the Everyday are all pseudo Workstations and never play any games - office use.
 
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I see, thank you. What resolution do you use with the 5770?

Sincerely,
Quantum10
 
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Thank you Jaquith and all the good members of this forum!

I have completed the purchase of all components excluding the active display port adapter. They are as follows:

MoBo: Asus P7P55D-E P55
CPU: Intel Core i3 550
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 5770
Monitors: Acer G215HAbd 21.5" 1920x1080 (x3)
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB
RAM: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 2GBx2 PC10666
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W
Case: CM 690 II Advanced

Now, I need to figure out how to select an active dongle for DisplayPort adapation.

Sincerely,
Quantum10
 
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Just put together an i3-550, ASUS P7P55D-E LX motherboard, 2 4gb sticks of Corsair ram CMX8GX3M2A1600C9, SeaSonic S12II 620 power supply, and a SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 5750 video card. It booted first time (so much for all the problems I read about that mb and Corsair ram), and I couldn't be happier.
 
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Hi klockwerk:

Thanks for sharing this. I was just about to post about my experience after putting together all the components. On my first attempted boot, everything powered up except I can not get a Signal to my LCD display.

The video card is appropriately connected to the power supply and the monitor is connected to the card via DVI.

Despite not being able to get a display signal, the MoBo LEDs are indicating a problem with both the DRAM and Boot Disk.

My Seagate Barracuda is appropriately connected via both Data and Power SATA cables to the MoBo and PSU.

The RAM is installed as per the MoBo recommended instruction for use of two sticks.

I will be sincerely appreciative of any troubleshooting insight the good members may be able to offer.

Thanks,
Quantum10
 
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Update: With the help of a sticky thread guide in the New Build subforum alongside some common sense I was able to successfully complete my machine.

I had inadvertently connected only 4-pins of the total 8-pin ATX12V on the MoBo (two 4-pin adapters) because the other 4-pins were capped, which I did not remove.

I also did not have a keyboard connected on my first boot attempt because I was so excited to make sure it would actually power up. I didn't realize it would not even attempt a boot if no keyboard was connected.

Now, everything is operating properly, although one of the two LCD monitors I've opened has a dead pixel. So, I'll be exchanging it tomorrow and ordering the active adapter jaquith was kind enough to recommend.

Thanks again for everyone's kind help,
Quantum10
 
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Glad to hear - we're clearly in different time zones nor am I on all of time; I'm GMT-5:00. Yeah, you want ALL the power 8/24-pin MOBO and 6-pin PCIe.

Sorry to hear about the dead pixel, that's not good. I wanted 'certified' vs not; the reviews on the non-certified at newegg weren't good.

Q - Besides the pixel, how does she 'feel'? Do you have good screen response?
 
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Hi jaquith:

Exchanged out the display with dead pixel. Haven't had a chance to setup the two monitor display yet, but will do tomorrow and get back to you.

Will have to wait for an active dongle in the mail to setup the third. The link on Amazon you sent had two user reviews, both stated that this particular Accell adapter wouldn't work for Eyefinity despite the manufacturer's claim as being an active adapter. Will investigate further.

Sincerely,
Quantum10
 
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^ I tend to go with the OEM on certified, but keep in mind I looked at your monitor's resolution. There is a different dongle for Higher Resolution monitors that requires a powered adapted {via USB}. Therefore, IF the people posting comments had a higher resolution monitor then obviously it would fail.

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-UltraAV-B087B-002B-DisplayPort-Dual-Link/dp/B002ISVI3U/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b

Notice the Resolution column -> http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx
--
There are DisplayPort to DVI Cables as well...
 
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Hi jaquith:

I hope your week is going well. Wanted to drop you a quick update and answer your previous question regarding the performance of the Eyefinity display. Although I only have 2 monitors running for the time being, I have finally set up Eyefinity.

* When running duplicate versions on both screens (not extended -- mouse cant move onto other screen) the response time is quite excellent.
* The color on one screen2 is a tad darker than screen 1.
* Extended display mode is performing great when working with applications directly off my desktop.

>> Curiously, however, when attempting to remote connect to one of the virtual servers I host my client trading platforms on, the color becomes extremely distorted and the servers become dysfunctional in that they are extremely laggy and freeze up.

As an example: I operate a small asset management firm, and oversee hundreds of client accounts. So, I host about 7-8 platforms per server and remote connect to the servers. Typically, my remote connections are lightning fast and look great.

When running extended mode on multiple displays, the remote server connections become visually distorted and extremely slow. It reminds me of when I am away from home, and remote control my home PC, and then remote connect to my virtual servers from two computers away:

ie. Hotel Business Center PC >remote> Home PC >remote> virtual server

Understandably, when running a remote connection within a remote connection, the virtual server graphics get a bit fuzzy, and it runs slow. This is what its like when simply using my Home PC with extended mode.

I imagine it may be my resolution. Apparently, the Eyefinity setup guide does *not* recommend my screen resolution for the 5700 series GPU. So, I might have to lower the res on my screens and report back.

Sincerely,
Quantum10
 
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My assumption is that you are increasing the resolution of the 'virtual server' to the point that the Screen Refresh data > Available Bandwidth. Q - How or what program are you using to 'see' the server? ... this isn't an Eyefinity issue...this is a 'VPN' or bandwidth / throughput / bottleneck issue.


If the Eyefinity is working fine locally then -- it's not the problem. Reduce the resolution of the 'virtual server.'
 
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Hi Jaquith:

So, the DisplyPort -> DVI-D cable will do the same thing as using the adapater with USB?

The reason I ask is that I actually ended up accidentally repacking one of my DVI-D cables with the monitor I had to exchange for the dead pixel. Atleast, I assume I did this because after all the dust settled in building my machine, I am left with 2 DVI-D cables and 3 monitors! lol.

So, I should just purchase a DP to DVI-D cable and call it a day?
 
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If you already have the adapter and it WORKS then leave good enough alone. Eyefinity can be VERY touchy. If you read the article I linked you'll not that even Tom's H/W had a 'fun' time getting it to work. In my case I was NOT budget conscious; I am willing to pay to have 'stuff work' properly.

Tell 'them' you packed the cable -- I'm certain that they'll send you another after buying 3 monitors!
 
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