Micro ATX H81 Motherboards

[appenzell]

nbbHello all,

My problem is simple, I've decided that an H81 mobo suits my needs perfectly, (single GPU, max of one HDD and SDD, no RAID or expansion cards, no more than 16 GB RAM required, not interested in OCinmng, etc) but I have no idea how to choose from the multitude of options available from each of the main MB manufacturers (Asus, ASRock, MSI, Gigabyte). For instance, I went on Asus' website and they had 8 different models of mATX H81 boards!

So my request is simple: Please recommend me a motherboard.

The prices I've been seeing are pretty much all sub $80 for H81, so nothing should really be off the board as far as price goes. Also, I am totally open to mini-ITX boards, I just can't go bigger than mATX due to my case.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I would think most folks would want to know what you are going to be using the computer for, before making recommendations.

 

[Charlie98]

I would think most folks would want to know what you are going to be using the computer for, before making recommendations.

Not really... H81 is a basic mobo for a general purpose machine.

Personally, I built a GP machine with the ASRock H81M-HDS at Christmas, it seemed like a very good board and I was very pleased with it.

I have a Gigabyte (my main goto mobo brand...) GA-H81M-H setting on the bench upstairs waiting for a case to go into. It has a better audio chipset than the ASRock board, but no USB 3.0 header.

...just make sure the board you decide on has all the features you are likely to need. When in doubt, the H87 is a good alternative.

 

[piasabird]

Might also consider a B85 chipset. I just recently purchased a Gigabyte GA-Z87N Wifi (Ver. 2.0) with 802.11ac and I am happy with it. It is a great product. Sometimes I think paying a little bit more can be worth it to get a good durable motherboard. I don't overclock or game. I used a Intel i3 4330 3.5ghtz CPU with 4 meg cache and HD4600 Graphics. Using the wireless I can put my TV where I want it. I just watch internet video and surf websites and such.

 

[Charlie98]

Might also consider a B85 chipset.

I like the B85 as well (I have a B75 in my HTPC... love it! ) but it's hard to justify the cost against an H87 board (not in all cases, but generally.)

 

[appenzell]

Thank You All For Responses So Far. To Answer Your Question, Charlie, The Machine Would Be A General Use/Medium Gaming Machine.

As Far As Moving Up To The B85 Boards Goes, I Have Nothing Against That. I Just Don't See The Need To Spend More For Features That I'm Not Going To Use. What I Don't Want To Compromise On Is Quality. I Know H81 Its The Bargain Bin, But There Has To Be Well Made Boards With Good Caps And Whatnot In This Segment, Right?

The Audio Is A Good Point, Charlie. I'm Not Am Audiophile By Any Means, So, What Is "Good Enough" For Gaming On Headphones Or At Most A 2.1 Setup?

Thanks Again For All The Responses!

 

[tw1164]

I just built a HTPC over the weekend with a http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81M/ board. I got it for $65. I'm happy with it.

 

[Charlie98]

What I Don't Want To Compromise On Is Quality. I Know H81 Its The Bargain Bin, But There Has To Be Well Made Boards With Good Caps And Whatnot In This Segment, Right?

That's correct... the H81 boards are less expensive because they have less features... not because they are substandard. That doesn't mean you don't have to do your homework and look for solid caps... for example, that ASRock board I linked has all solid caps, the Gigabyte board does not (if I'm reading the description correctly...) but the GB board has a 3-year warranty, the ASRock only 1 year.

Here... dig on this: Gigabyte H81M-HD3 mATX board, 100% solid caps, USB 3.0 header, good audio chipset, 3-year warranty... $48 (AR)

 

[appenzell]

Thanks for the link to the Gigabyte mobo, Charlie. Seems like a great deal for the price and a 3 year warranty.

I do have an additional question though. While this may not be a "gaming computer", I will still do my fair share of gaming on it. High end I would be thinking about a GTX 660, while low end would be something around the GTX 750i or R7 265. Is the fact that the PCIex16 slot is only 2.0 something I should be concerned about? Or does this really only matter with really top of the line GPUs?

Thanks again, everyone, for all of the suggestions and guidance!

 

[Charlie98]

I don't think PCIe 3.0 is a feature on H81 boards, but I could be wrong. In mainstream gaming I don't think it would be a big problem, especially with mid-level GPUs, but others may differ.

 

[Compman55]

Asus or Asrock seem to be the ones people are getting.

I have the same problem right now with Z87 boards. Too many to pick from.

The reviews are worth reading for preparing for minor issues, but ignore some of the bad reviews as there are alot of people who have been building computers for their entire life, and still know nothing. Several of my local shops come to mind......

1.) decide on the brand

2.) decide what features you do not need

3.) by eliminating the features you do not need, find a price that is suitable.

4.) Narrow it down to a few and repost with a new thread. People can comment on the ones you picked.

 

[bleucharm28]

Asus

 

[appenzell]

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone. I think I have narrowed the search down a little bit to the following boards. What would be everyone's picks between the following:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132052

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128673

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128662

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128693

Everyone seems to pile the love on Asus, but I thought that they and Gigabyte were the clear top two. Thoughts?

Or again, suggest me an alternative that I might not have thought of. Thanks again!

 

[Charlie98]

Of those...

I have the H81M-H... I wish I had the H81M-HD3, mostly because of the 100% solid caps and the USB 3.0 header. The Gigabyte B85 board doesn't beat the -HD3, and the -HD3 beats the Asus, in my opinion, especially for the price.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Definitely the GA-H81M-HD3 out of those. The others have so few usb ports I would run into trouble. Unless maybe you are still using a ps/2 keyboard and mouse. It's also cheaper than the B85 board atm.

Another thing with these boards is that they have just one casefanheader. You can connect 2 fans to 1 header but more than that might get problematic. So it also depends on your case and need for cooling.

I can understand the problems with choosing the right board though. Having to figure out the differences between all those boards can be really time consuming. I wish manufacturers would supply a table which shows the differences at a glance.