Motherboard recommendation

Ralph_Machio · Jan 1, 2012, 03:29 AM

Hi,

I'm looking for the best mobo I can find for an AMD Phenom II X4 black or X6 Black, both socket AM3.

I have a Corsair H80, 240gb OCZ Agility SATA III, WD Caviar Black SATA II, and a Corsair 600T case. I haven't chosen a vid card yet (was planing on possibly a GTX 500 card). I'd like to be able to easily OC and run 16gb of memory.

I would be primarily using this for Audio/Video editing and gaming.

I've read a bunch of mixed reviews on several mobos out there right now but would like to hear from you guys.

steves6403 · Jan 1, 2012, 03:59 AM

i have an asrock880-le (is a good budget solition)i,m very happy with it maybe worth a look

PS ive had gigbyte and asus and had problems but the asrock no probs at all

caqde · Jan 1, 2012, 05:50 AM

I like the M5A97 or M5A99X EVO both Asus boards the M5A97 is a 970 based board that I used to build my brothers computer it has an EFI based BIOS but has no SLI or Crossfire support. The M5A99X is almost the same as the M5A97 but has 8x/8x SLI/Crossfire support and two SATA II ports along with the standard 6 SATA III ports but it costs $50 more.

If you want the best overclocking boards consensus seems to be either the Asus Crosshair V or Sabertooth boards as they are 8 layer boards versus 6 of most other boards. These boards might net you an extra ~200Mhz+ depending on the CPU and Memory you have, but as always with OCing your mileage may vary.

Tipstaff · Jan 1, 2012, 12:56 PM

I agree with caqde's choices. Both are rock solid boards, and I've had no complaints from clients that have bought them.

One thing you didn't mention was what your audio preference was. Does the onboard audio need to be decent, or are you going with a 3rd party/standalone card? The 2 boards mentioned by caqde both use Realtek HD chips, very good in fact, but if you look elsewhere this is something you need to watch out for. The mainstay for most manufacturers are either VIA HD or Realtek HD (sometimes evem Conexant, mostly on cheaper boards), and I would stay as far away from VIA (and Conexant) as possible. It might be good for movies and general audio, but everything else sucks on it. If, however, it's the opposite, and you're planning on using an add-in card, then you've got more board choices.

Ralph_Machio · Jan 1, 2012, 05:36 PM

Thanks guys,

Audio isn't a concern right now. And I did want the possibility of SLI or Crossfire. I was checking out the Sabertooth and the Crosshair. The Sabertooth seemed to get more positive reviews, so I may try my luck on that. Thanks for your help.

***Veridian3*** · Jan 1, 2012, 06:49 PM

CH or Saber... cant go wrong with either really.

Tipstaff · Jan 1, 2012, 08:29 PM

I would go with the Crosshair over the Sabertooth. The latter is more for stability, while the Crosshair is the overclocker.

Jan 1, 2012, 03:29 AM	#1
Ralph_Machio Like Sleeve of Wizard Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 34 Rep Power: 0	Motherboard recommendation Hi, I'm looking for the best mobo I can find for an AMD Phenom II X4 black or X6 Black, both socket AM3. I have a Corsair H80, 240gb OCZ Agility SATA III, WD Caviar Black SATA II, and a Corsair 600T case. I haven't chosen a vid card yet (was planing on possibly a GTX 500 card). I'd like to be able to easily OC and run 16gb of memory. I would be primarily using this for Audio/Video editing and gaming. I've read a bunch of mixed reviews on several mobos out there right now but would like to hear from you guys. __________________

Jan 1, 2012, 03:59 AM	#2
steves6403 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: lilydale australia Posts: 251 Rep Power: 27 System Specs	Re: Motherboard recommendation i have an asrock880-le (is a good budget solition)i,m very happy with it maybe worth a look PS ive had gigbyte and asus and had problems but the asrock no probs at all

Jan 1, 2012, 05:50 AM	#3
caqde HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: US, IL Posts: 505 Rep Power: 66 System Specs	Re: Motherboard recommendation I like the M5A97 or M5A99X EVO both Asus boards the M5A97 is a 970 based board that I used to build my brothers computer it has an EFI based BIOS but has no SLI or Crossfire support. The M5A99X is almost the same as the M5A97 but has 8x/8x SLI/Crossfire support and two SATA II ports along with the standard 6 SATA III ports but it costs $50 more. If you want the best overclocking boards consensus seems to be either the Asus Crosshair V or Sabertooth boards as they are 8 layer boards versus 6 of most other boards. These boards might net you an extra ~200Mhz+ depending on the CPU and Memory you have, but as always with OCing your mileage may vary. __________________ AMD Phenom II X4 925 AM3/ Giga-byte MA790XT-UD4P XFX HD5770 1GB / 2x8GB of Geil DDR3 12800 10-10-10-28 Samsung SH-S182D DVD-RW drive / Sony Optiarc BD-5300S BD-RW drive Western Digital WD1501FASS(Primary)/Western Digital 15EADS(Secondary)/Western Digital 7500AACS(Secondary)/Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320gb(Secondary) Antec TP-550 / CoolerMaster CMStacker Sound Blaster X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Professional / Creative Inspire 6600 6.1 speakers Samsugn T200HD 20" LCD Monitor / Logitech Internet 350 Black Keyboard Logitech MX510 Mouse

Jan 1, 2012, 12:56 PM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Re: Motherboard recommendation I agree with caqde's choices. Both are rock solid boards, and I've had no complaints from clients that have bought them. One thing you didn't mention was what your audio preference was. Does the onboard audio need to be decent, or are you going with a 3rd party/standalone card? The 2 boards mentioned by caqde both use Realtek HD chips, very good in fact, but if you look elsewhere this is something you need to watch out for. The mainstay for most manufacturers are either VIA HD or Realtek HD (sometimes evem Conexant, mostly on cheaper boards), and I would stay as far away from VIA (and Conexant) as possible. It might be good for movies and general audio, but everything else sucks on it. If, however, it's the opposite, and you're planning on using an add-in card, then you've got more board choices. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jan 1, 2012, 05:36 PM	Thread Starter #5
Ralph_Machio Like Sleeve of Wizard Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 34 Rep Power: 0	Re: Motherboard recommendation Thanks guys, Audio isn't a concern right now. And I did want the possibility of SLI or Crossfire. I was checking out the Sabertooth and the Crosshair. The Sabertooth seemed to get more positive reviews, so I may try my luck on that. Thanks for your help. __________________

Jan 1, 2012, 06:49 PM	#6
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 182	Re: Motherboard recommendation CH or Saber... cant go wrong with either really.

Jan 1, 2012, 08:29 PM	#7
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Re: Motherboard recommendation I would go with the Crosshair over the Sabertooth. The latter is more for stability, while the Crosshair is the overclocker. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.