Z77 or Z68 for budget i3 build?

[Tifosi248F1]

I'm trying to put together some parts for a budget i3 build and I'm stuck on which way to go with the motherboard. I can go with the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 because it looks like a solid choice, or go with their Z77 Pro4 for the USB3. Plus it's slightly cheaper than the Extreme3. The Z77 Extreme4, while nice, is probably a bit overkill and even though it's only $10 more than the Z68, every little bit helps in keeping cost down.

It's for someone who isn't all that computer savvy, so it just has to work without any real frills and as little worry as possible.

 

[fralexandr]

it doesn't have to be an ATX mobo right?
if it's a basic system i don't think you'll be adding a ton of drives and ram to it

do you want the mobo to have integrated HDMI out?

a cheap h77m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157303

why not go h61 or h67?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157315
b75 has usb 3.0 if that's important
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157313

 

[MontyAC]

If the person is ok with refurbished motherboards, have him check these:

http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=1263

 

[swe391]

Why do you want either of those boards? Z68/77 is for overclocking, which an i3 cannot do. There's a good Asrock H77M for $70 on newegg I'd go with in your position.
edit: oh didn't see another guy already linked to that mobo

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Why do you want either of those boards? Z68/77 is for overclocking, which an i3 cannot do. There's a good Asrock H77M for $70 on newegg I'd go with in your position.
edit: oh didn't see another guy already linked to that mobo

Who knows? Maybe he just wants it "running" with the i3 for now, and thinks he might get an i5 K chip later. Otherwise, for just "building a computer" with an i3 chip, one could pick motherboards in the $80 to $140 range. But if you make your bed, you must sleep in it.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

Well, I basically wanted something that's going to be able to last a bit hence z68/z77. I don't see a point in going so basic that you have to buy everything new again if you want to upgrade. Better to spend more on something that won't need replaced if a CPU switch comes down the road. It turns out it's a moot point though as the person decided to get a laptop over the going with a desktop build.

Thanks for the input though.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

z77 has more budget offerings i feel. asrock's extreme4-m is extremely capable and it's just barely north of $100. I use it on my NAS. It also offers VT-d support but I don't think an i3 supports that.

 

[The Sauce]

Better to spend more on something that won't need replaced if a CPU switch comes down the road.

From Pittsburgh much?