ASUS vs MSI - USB3.0 & SATA 6 Motherboards

[xStorm]

I am finally building my first PC at 15 almost 16, and It comes the time where i need to pick a motherboard. My original instinct tells me to go with Asus.

In a motherboard I want (think i want) USB 3.0 and Sata 6

I want Sata 6, as I will be using a SSD for my boot drive.

I want USB 3.0, because I think it is going to be the next standard.

I'm concerned that 3.0 and sata 6 will have problems on the same motherboard functioning at the same time, due to bandwidth restraints. I am told by a friend that if this is true, I will not notice it.

I really need to know what my best option is here, to get the most out of my motherboard. I am not interested in over clocking or crossfire, as I will be doing minor gaming.

Looking to stay in the 100-160$ range for a motherboard.

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Thanks,

~Storm

 

[fffblackmage]

Seems like you want an LGA1156 mobo...

ASUS P7P55D-E LX $135 ($125 AR)

The SATA 6gbps feature is implemented by a separate IC chip on the mobo; it's not native to the chipset. From what I've heard, the SATA 6gbps controller isn't really that great.

If you're thinking of getting the Crucial C300 (currently, the only SATA 6gbps SSD), I recommend any Sandforce-based SSD (OCZ Vertex 2/Agility 2, G.Skill Phoenix, Corsair Force, etc) over the C300.

 

[xStorm]

So intel and samsung SSD's wont run at 6gbs/s? Because i told samsung makes the best SSDs.

Now when you say its not native to the chipset, you mean I wont be able to hook the drive up internally?

 

[fffblackmage]

So intel and samsung SSD's wont run at 6gbs/s? Because i told samsung makes the best SSDs.

The Crucial C300 is the only SSD with SATA 6gbps that I know of right now.

I highly recommend you read this article explaining the Sandforce controller and its features.

Now when you say its not native to the chipset, you mean I wont be able to hook the drive up internally?

No, I'm just saying the SATA 6gbps feature is handled by a separate IC that has poor performance. I've only heard about the poor performance, but I'm not sure how bad it is. Someone else will have to chime in or you'll have to google for answers.

Remember, just because it has SATA 6gbps doesn't mean the drive is capable of making use of that bandwidth. It'll be a long time before any HDDs can even max out SATA 3gbps. Most HDDs can sustain read/writes at around ~100MBps (maybe up to 150MBps), but SATA 3gbps can provide up to around ~300MBps. The only SSD capable of utilizing SATA 6gbps is the C300, and if you're using the SSD as a boot drive, the ~350 MBps sequential read speed isn't especially useful.