Help a Noob with Suggestions for Motherboard?

[Pewpz]

Heya,

I have to admit right off that I'm a complete nub when it comes to computer hardware - I know almost nothing about this stuff.

That being said, I have decided that I want to learn more and am going to build myself a new computer. For the most part everything seems pretty straightforward but I'm hung up on a motherboard. I've no idea what I should be looking for in terms of usefulness and longevity.

If it helps with suggestions, I do a lot of graphic design work with Photoshop, Illustrator, and some 3-D modelling programs, as well as recently some pretty heavy video effects and editing with programs like After Effects.. I also like to play games like BF3, SC2, etc.

Currently I'm looking at the following sort of set up:

i7-2600k
6 GB/s SSD
16 GB RAM
500W PSU
nVidia 560Ti (448)
Antec 280

But I've no idea on a motherboard. Not a clue. I would like something that is reliable, that allows overclocking (I will attempt to do this without blowing up my city), and ideally offers quick, solid performance for what I do. My price range for a motherboard is probably a $250 limit but less is always better so long as it doesn't sacrifice quality.

I appreciate any suggestions for those willing to help a noob out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[severus]

I'm very satisfied with my Biostar TZ68A+ it's a very solid board with plenty of features and overclocking options, + it comes with a cool multimedia remote control and it's only about $120 depending on where you look.

 

[Charlie98]

If you are looking for usefulness and longevity, one of the Z68 mobos should be at the top of your list.

I'm a complete computer n00b, too... or I was about 2 months ago. Since then, I read up on the forums here, asked a few questions and wound up building my own. For me, the hard part was/is the software part... the hardware was easy.

The Gigabyte mobo in my signature below is a bottom-of-the-line Z68 mobo, but it does everything I need it to do, including painless OC'ing.

Some of your items may be a bit overkill, and I question the 'longevity' part of the 448 560ti GPU (I'm planning on a EVGA overclocked 560ti, soon... but not the 448.) I'm sure someone will be along soon to help you out more than I have...

 

[stahlhart]

Heya,

I have to admit right off that I'm a complete nub when it comes to computer hardware - I know almost nothing about this stuff.

That being said, I have decided that I want to learn more and am going to build myself a new computer. For the most part everything seems pretty straightforward but I'm hung up on a motherboard. I've no idea what I should be looking for in terms of usefulness and longevity.

If it helps with suggestions, I do a lot of graphic design work with Photoshop, Illustrator, and some 3-D modelling programs, as well as recently some pretty heavy video effects and editing with programs like After Effects.. I also like to play games like BF3, SC2, etc.

Currently I'm looking at the following sort of set up:

i7-2600k
6 GB/s SSD
16 GB RAM
500W PSU
nVidia 560Ti (448)
Antec 280

But I've no idea on a motherboard. Not a clue. I would like something that is reliable, that allows overclocking (I will attempt to do this without blowing up my city), and ideally offers quick, solid performance for what I do. My price range for a motherboard is probably a $250 limit but less is always better so long as it doesn't sacrifice quality.

I appreciate any suggestions for those willing to help a noob out.

Thanks in advance!

Focus primarily on features and the provided PCIe/PCI slots and their arrangement, if you are going to have multiple cards or ever plan to down the road (this may have ramifications for system cooling).

Will your case have USB 3.0 ports built in, and if so, how is the case manufacturer expecting you to connect them to your motherboard? Some manufacturers have a 20-pin USB 3.0 header, others ask you to route standard connectors outside of the case to be plugged into ports in back.

Pay close attention to the RAM you choose to go with as as the CPU cooler, if you cool with air -- some sticks have tall heat spreaders (older Corsair Vengeance, G.Skill Ripjaws) that may interfere with some tower coolers, depending on the size of the fan(s).

Beyond that, just look for I/O features that are important to you (sufficient USB 2.0 ports, IEEE-1394 if you need that, etc.). If you ever plan to add a sound card, make sure you've got an x1 or x4 slot available that's not too close to the GPU.

Good luck...

 

[Charlie98]

Pay close attention to the RAM you choose to go with as as the CPU cooler, if you cool with air -- some sticks have tall heat spreaders (older Corsair Vengeance, G.Skill Ripjaws) that may interfere with some tower coolers, depending on the size of the fan(s)..

Very true... my 4th RAM slot is right under the fan on my CM 212+, I would have to move the fan up the heat exchanger or get some very low profile RAM sticks to fit under it... The 3rd slot (slot #2) just clears it.