Suggest a motherboard for upgrade path

R

Hi guys.. After 5 years i am planning to replace my old system. I am thinking about future proofing for atleast 3 years. To settle with i have chosen Gigabyte's GA 890GPA UD3H as my choice of motherboard [it has both SATA 3 & USB 3]. Is it ok to build upon or you have any similar boards as a suggestion.?

can you tell your budget and use so that we can suggest you a good config!!

R

My budget is 35k.. I prefer motherboards that supports upcoming USB 3 & SATA 3 like Gigabyte's GA 890GPA UD3H..

Please fill the following -

1. What is the purpose of the computer? (Note: If you are planning to say multimedia, you will have to be more specific as all types of systems are capable of doing that)
A:
2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A:
3. What is your MAX budget?
A:
4. Planning to overclock?
A:
5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A:
6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A:
7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A:
8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A:
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A:
10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A:
11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A:
12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A:
13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A:
14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A:

R

Cybertonic said:
Please fill the following -
1. What is the purpose of the computer? (Note: If you are planning to say multimedia, you will have to be more specific as all types of systems are capable of doing that)
A:Surfing, downloading HD content & viewing, Mid range Gaming (upto say 1600*1200 res), won't dwell into photoshop or dreamweaver or anything like that..

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A:Yes i will, if they have similar features

3. What is your MAX budget?
A:35k including UPS, cabinet..etc

4. Planning to overclock?
A:No strictly not

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A:Windows 7 [but i have my original XP, if its OK then i won't need windows 7]

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A:500 GB

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A:A 19.5 inch monitor will do. Like to game at the max of 1600*1200 only

8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
A:7

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A:No

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A:Within september end

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A:Yes its the most important

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A:I won't be needing TV tuner, webcam, Keyboard, Mouse, DVD writer.

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A:I reside in Coimbatore [Tamil Nadu] & i would prefer to shop from other states if they can lend their support till my place.

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A:Motherboard must be capable of SATA II [3 GBps] & SATA III [6 GBps] and support USB 2.0 & 3.0 like Gigabyte's GA 890GPA UD3H.

As i keep mentioning, board such as GA 890GPA UD3H is my preferred option. I prefer AMD processor based rig. Please do make a note of it.

R

Hi guys.. Can someone help me make the decision.. I have updated the required details way back..

sorry that motherboard is not possible as it costs Rs 10k you can add a USB3 add-on card later and SATA 3 is useless for us common people (current HDDs haven't even reached the speeds of SATA 2). It would ruin your config. Here's my suggestion -

AMD athlon ii x4 630 - 5k
Biostar 785 G3 - 3.7k
RAM - 2*2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz from kingston/G.skill - 5k
Gfx Card - ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB - 5k
HDD - WD caviar blue 500GB - 2k
DVD Writer - Samsung/ LG/ Lite-on - 1.2k
Cabinet - Zebronics Bijlli without PSU - 1k
PSU - FSP Saga 500W - 2.8k
Monitor - Dell 20" S2009 - 6.5k
Keyboard + Mouse - Logitech combo - 0.7k
UPS - APC 550VA - 1.8k

Total - 34.7k

R

Thanks cybertonic.. A few queries though. Can i squeeze Athlon II X4 635 instead of 630 and are the prices as per chennai region.?

^^ yes u can if found for good pricing.

but i'll suggest few changes to the above config.

1. change the movo from the simple version to the G3 HD one. far better for ~400 bucks more.
2. go for Benq G2020HD cause finding Dell monitor for that pricing won't be a easy task at ll.

R

Thanks mate.. I would make a note of it. I will enquire about the prices from the dealers and post my final config..

R

Regarding the choice of motherboard, which brand can i stick upon. A retailer mentioned me that MSI boards are very good. The retailer quoted me to go for MSI 890GXM-G65 if i am looking to future proof. Is this board worth than the Biostar mobo posted in this thread.?

^^ don't go for retailers advice. that the reason we have forums. to keep users away from sucking retailers. yes MSI 890GXM G65 is a fantastic board. its mATX, Xfire ready, HD4290 graphics with 128Mb DDR3 ram. but the thing is, it cost ~7k. that means 3k more than the one i suggested. if you not need Xfire, USB 3.0, Sata 6Gbps & a few more features like easy OC. than go with the Biostar one. if you think you do need, MSI is an excellent deal.

R

Hi sam, i won't be needing xfire support, but definitely love to see SATA III support. I also went through some googling and found Biostar TA890GXE is another future proof board to consider. It doesn't have Xfire [which i don't need]. Can i go in for this board if not MSI 890GXM-G65.?

pricewise, both boards differ by around 500bucks (maybe less). so if going to spend more than 6k, my bet is MSI. its a fantastic little board. but don't cancel the Biostar TA785G3 HD as an option. you can add a add-on card that features USB 3.0 as well as Sata 3.0. i not sure if such add-on cards exist yet (2 in 1 solution). but will surely be available early next year from VIA/Asus/Marvel/Gigabyte/Asrock, etc. so you may consider the alternate route too.

R

Ok sam, point considered. If i could find a MSI deal for better bucks, i will go for it else stick with Biostar. Hey can this Biostar board's integrated graphics handle games such as Fifa 2010, NFS, call of duty in medium settings without getting taxed when combined with a 20 inch monitor if i plan to add the graphics card later.?

well i not sure. but as the graphics is same on my motherboard & i played Burnout paradise at 1024X768 with mid settings (when i didn't installed the graphics card). it just lags a bit sometimes. most of the time the gameplay was smooth. so Fifa, NFS & COD will run fine at low resolution, medium settings. but not at the native resolution i.e. 1600X900. at this resolution, you'll get unplayable framerates.

Theres no point going for SATA III as the bandwith that is provided by even SATA II hasn't been fully utilised by HDDs and you should go for it only if you want to use SSDs

R

I am just considering options as i don't want to upgrade within the next 3-4 years. Hence i choose AMD platform [as it supports way down from athlon II X2 to phenom II X6]. I am also ready to give up on Graphics card [whose prices will drop lately] and save the penny for mobo's supporting SATA III & USB 3 for the future. No offences, i am just explaining why i am preferring boards having SATA III or USB 3. I can't upgrade every 2 year or so.

---------- Post added at 01:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:43 AM ----------

Is AMD into any new socket or chipset development like Intel did [switching from LGA 775 to LGA 1156 & 1366 and adding various chipsets such as H55/H57/P55/X58]. If yes, please advise whether it is right to upgrade now or wait for the new development to ease in.?

R

Does Biostar TA785G3 HD has sideport memory. Will the sideport memory be useful while watching HD movies and for playing games that i have named earlier. I will be coupling it with system ram though..

sideport memory always comes in handy
but it will help u in HD movie stuff,thats not for sure
ya games will surely benefit from it

R

Hi piyush, So which is better, going for a board with sideport memory or as an alternative, pick a board that doesn't have sideport but compensating it with more shared memory.? I came across MSI 880g GMA e45 that doesn't have sideport but has both USB 3 & SATA III. Wanted to know the performance difference. Please help me make the choice.

i am using 880gma
have no issues with it
if u are gonna do some serious OCing then go for biostar boards
if not then go for MSI/gigabyte 880g based mobo
880gma provides 512mb of shared memory
its ciurrent price is 5.7k in new delhi

R

Piyush, How much shared memory have you allocated. Can 880 GMA handle games such as FIFA 2010, NFS series at medium settings.?

For a USB 3.0 board you can also consider Gigabyte GA-785GMT-USB3 around 5.5k. So here is Cybertonic's config with slight modifications to fit in your budget:

AMD athlon II x4 635 - 5.2k
Gigabyte GA-785GMT-USB3 - 5.5k
RAM - 2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz from kingston/G.skill - 2.5k
Gfx Card - ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB - 5k
HDD - WD caviar blue 500GB - 2k
DVD Writer - Samsung/ LG - 1k
Cabinet - Zebronics Bijlli without PSU - 1.2k
PSU - FSP Saga 400W - 2.2k
Monitor - BenQ/AOC 20" - 6.2k
Keyboard + Mouse - Logitech combo - 0.7k
UPS - APC 550VA - 1.8k

Total - 33.3k

If you can squeeze in, go for 4GB RAM or just buy the RAM after a year when prices would have fallen further.

As said earlier, you won't need SATA 6.0 gbps as HDDs do not utilize even the available bandwidth under SATA 3.0 gbps. And as you don't want to upgrade for next 3 years, i hardly expect you to be buying an SSD in front of which, even gold looks cheap. Also the current technology of HDDs is not expected to yield much higher speeds as the technology doesn't offer much scope for improvement.

rakesh-the gilli said:
Piyush, How much shared memory have you allocated. Can 880 GMA handle games such as FIFA 2010, NFS series at medium settings.?

i have allocated all 512mb
its so because i have not bought any gfx card yet

and yes u can play with these onboard gfx

but look at the config posted just above
this is much better option right now

R

Thanks for the config. I don't know where to buy this board. I am from TamilNadu. Is it safe to order online. Where can i get Gigabyte boards. Will i get good deals if i order online.?

try searching "deltapage.com"

R

I checked at deltapage.com but couldn't fing Gigabyte mobo's. They only have lots of ASUS boards. Suggest from where else i can buy the above mentioned Gigabyte mobo.

would u mind if u have to get it shipped from delhi
bcoz i dont know more shops in southern region sorry

"smcinternational.in"

R

No problem piyush, i wouldn't mind looking at online shops and ordering one. But i am concerned with service issues. How will they cover me for board complaints if it needs servicing.? Please provide me feedback.

---------- Post added at 03:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:27 AM ----------

I checked with SMC, they told they don't have this board in stock now. They told me, they will inform once they get it. Is there some other shops where i could look for that board.?

i recently went to smc and i saw they had MSI and Gigabyte both
i dunno why they are not giving it
and regarding other shops i dont think they are that good

rakesh-the gilli said:
I checked at deltapage.com but couldn't fing Gigabyte mobo's. They only have lots of ASUS boards. Suggest from where else i can buy the above mentioned Gigabyte mobo.

3 trusted sites:

SMC international
IT wares
IT depot

most items of SMC are inclusive of carry charge. so you may save a few hundred that way too.

R

Thanks sam, i have emailed them regarding my interest in purchasing that particular board. Waiting for them to respond.

R

Hi everyone, i couldn't wait any longer for mails, so i called them [SMC, itwares] and enquired about the availability of the gigabyte board. But they told its not available right now. Is there any dealers with whom we can directly make contact and enquire for the board.? Only if i get the board i can start building my rig.. Someone help me out of this.

did u asked only about gigabyte?
or any other board too?
SMC has MSI with them

R

Yes piyush, i enquired only about Gigabyte mobo. They told they have MSI 880GMA E45 with them. If i cant get Gigabyte mobo, shall i pick this MSI mobo.? But what abt servicing if any problem occurs.?

i have this mobo too
its a nice mobo with usb3 and sata3 features
it now costs 5.6k or something
u wont have any problem regarding it

and about servicing u'll be taken care off by SMC too apart from MSI

R

Sorry piyush, was out of station. Then i will stick with the MSI one.