Motherboard Purchase Help

[stitchmanz]

I’m thinking of building my own machine, rather than buying a pre-built one. I keep reading that it is better to build your own, but I know nothing about which parts to buy. I know that the pieces have to work with each other, but don’t know where to begin.

I’ve been trying to do some research on components but I am so lost.

Of all the parts, I’m having the biggest problem understanding the motherboard. There are so many different options with some companies having 3-4 motherboards that are only $10-20 difference in price, but on the surface they seem to be the same. I’m sure that each one has differences, but I don’t know what they are.

About the only thing I’m pretty sure I need is a Z77 for an Intel CPU. I don’t want the cheapest board, but I don’t need the most expensive one either. So I’m looking at a price range of around $150-175.

I’ve heard that ASUS gets great reviews, but has horrendous support. Good support is important to me since I am a novice at building a machine.


Can you please give me some suggestions on which motherboards to get.



Thank you

Jerry

 

[lifeblood]

Hmm, this is a tall order.

The first question you need to ask is what do you need? That is going to tell you what to buy. The difference between boards could be the inclusion of digital audio or more USB ports. If you don't have digital speakers and only a few USB devices then you don't need the high end MB. The different chipsets offer you different features. The high end chipsets support SLI/Crossfire. If your not going to use that then maybe you don't really need the highest end MB. Are you going to overclock? If not, you may not need an "enthusiast class" board.

Building the PC is fun but so is researching what to buy. I suggest getting a book on the subject. I saw a couple for sale on Amazon. Unfortunately with the rate of change in the industry any book is soon outdated, but it will give you the basics of what to look for.

 

[rgallant]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4
-you could post \ read threads here ,more so for first time builders
-just remember a system is just a tool , so forum members need a clear cut goal \ budget target from you to narrow down the large list of hardware to your needs for the $$$ required to get there.
good luck