Best mATX i7 or i5/i7 board (for gaming)

[dmw16]

I am looking for a mATX motherboard for a new build. I am looking for either i7 or i5/i7 support (not sure which) and I also need 4 memory slots.

Now here's the slight catch, I will be buying the board in the next month or so, but I won't be finishing the computer until January-February. Reason being is that I am modifying a Mac G5 case to accept a PC motherboard and it may take some time to get that done right.

So I am looking for opinions of which board to go with.

I was leaning towards the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2.

Thanks.

 

[Massive Overkill]

If you need 4 now, why not leave room for expansion and go 1366. R2Gene.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Massive Overkill
If you need 4 now, why not leave room for expansion and go 1366. R2Gene.

Sorry, I've been outta the "loop" for a while - is that a chipset?

 

[Massive Overkill]

Rampage II Gene mATX mobo is CPU socket 1366, which comes with 6 DDR3 slots in triple-channel mode. You can run 3, 6, or 12 (well 24 as well but 4 gigs of RAM are too expensive) gigs of RAM in optimal configurations.

 

[dmw16]

Nice looking board, thanks for the suggestion. I assume it won't support i5?

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Nice looking board, thanks for the suggestion. I assume it won't support i5?

No, just i7 1366.

But they do make a Maximus III Gene micro ATX board, for socket 1156 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131599

I have the Maximus III Formula ATX board, and it is excellent, no reason to expect otherwise with the micro ATX version.

 

[dmw16]

So now it comes down to a choice between which socket I want to go with.

Does anyone have any idea what Intel's product roadmap looks like with both these sockets? I don't want to end up 4-5 months from now when I'm ready to drop a CPU in with very few options or looking at a dying socket style.

And here's another (maybe stupid) question. For the extra $100, what does the Asus offer over something like the Gigabyte P55M-UD2? Assuming I don't plan to overclock (at least not much)? My main use will be gaming, but I'd think that $100 be better invested in CPU or Video card.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: dmw16
So now it comes down to a choice between which socket I want to go with.

Does anyone have any idea what Intel's product roadmap looks like with both these sockets? I don't want to end up 4-5 months from now when I'm ready to drop a CPU in with very few options or looking at a dying socket style.

Well, 1366 will be getting the six core gulftown CPU's, if you ever plan to use one of those. Supposedly will work fine with X58 with a BIOS update.

I went with 1156 myself. The Gulftown is going to be expensive, and not something I will be actually buying. The core i7s in the 1156 socket right now are as fast if not faster and more power efficient than any 1366 CPU with the exception of the extreme edition chips (according to the anandtech review). The 1366 chips will overclock better on stock voltage though.

I think you are right in thinking that the extra $100 for the Asus would be better invested in something like a video card, or perhaps an SSD. The only reason I got my ROG Maximus III Board is that I got a really good price on it through one of the distributors we use where I work.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: dmw16
So now it comes down to a choice between which socket I want to go with.

Does anyone have any idea what Intel's product roadmap looks like with both these sockets? I don't want to end up 4-5 months from now when I'm ready to drop a CPU in with very few options or looking at a dying socket style.

Well, 1366 will be getting the six core gulftown CPU's, if you ever plan to use one of those. Supposedly will work fine with X58 with a BIOS update.

I went with 1156 myself. The Gulftown is going to be expensive, and not something I will be actually buying. The core i7s in the 1156 socket right now are as fast if not faster and more power efficient than any 1366 CPU with the exception of the extreme edition chips (according to the anandtech review). The 1366 chips will overclock better on stock voltage though.

I think you are right in thinking that the extra $100 for the Asus would be better invested in something like a video card, or perhaps an SSD. The only reason I got my ROG Maximus III Board is that I got a really good price on it through one of the distributors we use where I work.

Good info, thanks.

I may also try and make this thing a Hackintosh (Dual Boot w/ Win7), and preliminary research indicates the Gigabyte may be more compatible. My main intent is Win7 gaming, but like you said, vid card, SSD, etc is money better spent.

 

[Zap]

Gary liked the Gigabyte board