Which MB for a system using Intel i3 2120?

[Methodical2]

I am building a computer to replace the one used by the wifee and daughter. They use it for word processing, internet, kiddy games, download and listen to music, so nothing really extreme as far usage. I don't know which Asus MB to go with as they have so many versions, and I don't really know the difference between other than some components, such as fan plugs etc. The Dell we use now has been in the family for 6 years. So this new build will be around about the same time. Can anyone help me?

So far I have the following:

Rosewill Case (cheap)
i3 2120 3.3ghz
Asus MB?????
8gb ram (cheap after rebate)
OCZ 500w PSU (going with this cause it's only $45 after rebate and semi-modular)
OCZ 60gb ssd (o/s and a few other programs only)
Seagate Barracuda 1tb HDD (data)(may go smaller)
Win 7 Pro (64) already have this from my recent build

Any advice on the MB would be great.

Thanks...Al

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Well I used the Asus P8Z68-M Pro that would be a good board for that environment but you could also go with a H67 chipset based board like the Asus P8H67-M LE could also work well with that processor.

 

[Methodical2]

Hey thanks for the fast response. Is there any reason that this board is the better choice. I ask because I am trying to learn also.

Thanks...Al

 

[ensign_lee]

Quite honestly, for an i3-2120, there is no reason to get a Z68.

The only benefit you'd be deriving is SSD Caching, and to me, that's not enough of a reason to pay the price premium.

 

[pitz]

Quite honestly, for an i3-2120, there is no reason to get a Z68.

The only benefit you'd be deriving is SSD Caching, and to me, that's not enough of a reason to pay the price premium.

There's a pretty good chance the SSD caching will show up on the H61/H67 boards sooner or later as well. But if the goal is to keep the price down....then I agree with your statement.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

h61/67 is your best bet unless you want to use the same mobo to get ivy bridge

 

[Methodical2]

The prices are pretty close (see below). There's only a $25 difference between the lowest priced H67 and the Z68 Pro MB, so I think I will go with a Z68 MB. Thanks all

Asus:

P series:

P8H67-M LE (Rev 3.0) = $100
P8H67-V (Rev 3.0) = $105
P8H67-M PRO/CSM (Rev 3.0) = $115
P8H67-M EVO (Rev 3.0) = $125

Z series:

P8Z68-M Pro LGA HDMI = $125

 

[mmaestro]

I was looking at this for a colleague recently. I ended up picking out an MSI Z68 board which was only $85 after rebate (it's since gone up to $95). Here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130612

 

[Puppies04]

The prices are pretty close (see below). There's only a $25 difference between the lowest priced H67 and the Z68 Pro MB, so I think I will go with a Z68 MB. Thanks all

Asus:

P series:

P8H67-M LE (Rev 3.0) = $100
P8H67-V (Rev 3.0) = $105
P8H67-M PRO/CSM (Rev 3.0) = $115
P8H67-M EVO (Rev 3.0) = $125

Z series:

P8Z68-M Pro LGA HDMI = $125

Good call, it gives you options in the future, such as picking up a faster chip second hand (i.e a 2500k) and overclocking it which you would have been unable to do on the H67 board.

 

[dpk33]

If low price is the only requirement, then just browse through 1155 boards on Newegg and choose the cheapest one. Literally ALL of them are adequate, if not more than, for the uses you described.

This was the cheapest I could find on Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131787

Should be more than enough for mainstream use (word processing, kiddy games, internet browsing, email, etc).