A few weeks ago I built a new file server with the old style Phenom X4 processor. I wanted a motherboard with integrated gigabit ethernet, lots of SATA slots, and support for more than 4gb of ram (doesn't really matter how much more). To find the right board, I sorted newegg boards by price and picked the cheapest one to fit that description.
Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 - $56 Canadian
-8gb ram (2 slots)
-gigabit ethernet
-1 video card slot
-6 SATA slots
-integrated video (i'm using a 7950GT instead, but it's nice that this is there)
So far this board works perfect and it was dirt cheap. There are also socket 775 boards that are just as cheap and work just as good. With that in mind, why does everyone on Ananadtech own a ridiculously expensive board? In suggestion threads, I'll link to a board that's pretty damn good and maybe $80 with SLI or Crossfire support, then the next 5 people will link to a board that costs literally twice as much and doesn't look like it's any better.
Look at this AM3 board, the ASRock M3A780GXH/128M for $90 US.
-16gb ram (4 slots)
-1600mhz DDR3 (as an overclock)
-3 way Crossfire
-6 SATA slots
-gigabit ethernet
-integrated Radeon 3200 video
That's really damn good for $90 and I remember linking to that board or something like it when comparing platform costs of i7 and AM3. If you're one of the people who owns a $150 motherboard, why did you pick that board and not this one?
Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 - $56 Canadian
-8gb ram (2 slots)
-gigabit ethernet
-1 video card slot
-6 SATA slots
-integrated video (i'm using a 7950GT instead, but it's nice that this is there)
So far this board works perfect and it was dirt cheap. There are also socket 775 boards that are just as cheap and work just as good. With that in mind, why does everyone on Ananadtech own a ridiculously expensive board? In suggestion threads, I'll link to a board that's pretty damn good and maybe $80 with SLI or Crossfire support, then the next 5 people will link to a board that costs literally twice as much and doesn't look like it's any better.
Look at this AM3 board, the ASRock M3A780GXH/128M for $90 US.
-16gb ram (4 slots)
-1600mhz DDR3 (as an overclock)
-3 way Crossfire
-6 SATA slots
-gigabit ethernet
-integrated Radeon 3200 video
That's really damn good for $90 and I remember linking to that board or something like it when comparing platform costs of i7 and AM3. If you're one of the people who owns a $150 motherboard, why did you pick that board and not this one?