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Motherboard Recommendation for Upgraded System

post #1 of 12
12/9/12 at 3:50pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all.

I'm in the process of upgrading my system by expanding the storage and setting up FlexRaid. Right now, I have an AMD X3 + HD5670 build, but moving to an Intel i3-3225 w/ HD4000 build.

Can any of you recommend a quality MB that's good for setting up 6+ HDDs (understand I may need to buy a separate Sata PCI card in the future). Budget is around $100.

My upgraded system components will be:

Intel i3-3225
SanDisk Extreme 240GB SSD
Seagate 3TB (x4)
WD Green 2TB (x2)
G.Skill 4GB Memory
Ceton InfiniTV 4
Corsair 480 PS
Fractal R4 Case

Thanks all.
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post #2 of 12
12/9/12 at 4:23pm
Asrock H77 PRO4/MVP:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H77%20Pro4MVP/?cat=Specifications

or

Asrock B75 Pro 3

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B75%20Pro3/?cat=Specifications (Does not support software RAID via mobo due to B75 chipset limitations)
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post #3 of 12
12/9/12 at 4:45pm
Get z77 because its better and not any more $$$
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post #4 of 12
12/9/12 at 4:46pm
AsRock z77 pro 3 or 4 or extreme 4 or 4 all good choices
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post #5 of 12
12/9/12 at 5:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. I'll start looking at those choices.
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post #6 of 12
12/9/12 at 5:25pm
Z77 is a lot more if you are not near a microcentre or in the US - $80 for H77 here or $120 for Z77. Just saying.
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post #7 of 12
12/9/12 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiddles88 View Post

Z77 is a lot more if you are not near a microcentre or in the US - $80 for H77 here or $120 for Z77. Just saying.

it is $5 or $10 for me in USA.

Yes your right.

if your in USA Z77 makes sense.

If not - then get what you can get good prices on.

Z77 is better, but it's not needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001944%20600093976&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280%7C13-157-314%5E13-157-314-TS%2C13-157-302%5E13-157-302-TS%2C13-157-297%5E13-157-297-TS%2C13-157-301%5E13-157-301-TS%2C13-157-310%5E13-157-310-TS
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post #8 of 12
12/9/12 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
I don't build too many computers to know the ins and outs of MBs, but it looks like the z77 isn't any better than the h77 for purposes of building an HTPC. Is that correct? From what I gather, it seems z77 brings better GPU and overclocking abilities. Neither of which I need.

Mfusick, is there a reason why you would recommend the z77 boards? The price difference is about $20-30, so enough to consider this as a factor in my decision.

Thanks again.

**EDIT** ^^ Posted at the same time. Thanks for the comparison link. That helped a ton. I'll go with the z77 Pro4.
Edited by Erighan - 12/9/12 at 6:27pm
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post #9 of 12
12/9/12 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erighan View Post

I don't build too many computers to know the ins and outs of MBs, but it looks like the z77 isn't any better than the h77 for purposes of building an HTPC. Is that correct? From what I gather, it seems z77 brings better GPU and overclocking abilities. Neither of which I need.
Mfusick, is there a reason why you would recommend the z77 boards? The price difference is about $20-30, so enough to consider this as a factor in my decision.
Thanks again.
**EDIT** ^^ Posted at the same time. Thanks for the comparison link. That helped a ton. I'll go with the z77 Pro4.

H or B is fine if you don't want a Z series.

Z is more enthusiast level .. it has a better memory controller and performance. Overclock and such...

You don't need a Z. I just end up getting it because it's always $10 or less for me and I like the 8 SATA ports and 4 SATA 3 ports.

I have a PRO 3 and an Extreme 4. Both are great boards IMO.
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post #10 of 12
12/9/12 at 6:46pm
NOTE: Pay attention to form factors if you care.

Personally I prefer ATX boards because they are easier to build with lots of room.

But if your need a micro build or a mini build obviously you need a mATX or a ITX board.

If your case accepts all of them it does not matter.
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post #11 of 12
12/9/12 at 6:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erighan View Post

...
Can any of you recommend a quality MB that's good for setting up 6+ HDDs (understand I may need to buy a separate Sata PCI card in the future). Budget is around $100.
....
Look for a MB with 8-10 SATA ports. The ASRock Z11 WS has 10 SATA ports. I have an intel DZ68BC with 8 ports. This will eliminate the need to add SATA cards later.
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post #12 of 12
12/9/12 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

. . . . . I just end up getting it because it's always $10 or less for me and I like the 8 SATA ports and 4 SATA 3 ports.
. . . .

I can recommend the H77 Pro4-M board, as it also has 8 SATA ports( 4 SATA III ports), + 3 PCIe slots.

It is even good enough to be working as an ESXi 5.1 host server for a number of virtual windows and linux machines, including WHS2011.
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