What to look for when buying a Motherboard ? (Gigabyte)

[CLayMoRe-CLaRe]

Motherboards.....something i have the least info about and most confused about , specially their models !

So what do we actually look for when purchasing a motherboard ??

Well i know that look for the proper motherboard for the Processos ur buying and of course the RAM card slot's DDR , for Graphic Cards i bet all are using PCI-E 16X now

But usually i c most motherboards even arent those overkilling gaming boards , comes with 4 RAM slots , is it standard now do we still have only 2 RAM slots ? Since i doubt i would so many RAM , y waste extra money buying them

[bucksfanjimj]

I prefer having 4 RAM slots. It makes RAM upgrades simpler obviously. If you only want 2 slots, I'd be sure that it can handle
at least 4GBs. Windows 7 and Vista runs best if you have at least 2 GBs, but 4 is typically ideal as it gives you some extra to work with when you need it. Most users will not need more than that.

I also look for how many USB ports does the board have and can I easily add more if I need to. What I'm saying is this, to me upgradability is important to me. What is important to you in your pc? How do you use it? You want those features that will make
things easier/better for you. Every user will be different.

[CLayMoRe-CLaRe]

Uh i look it through also , if a 4X RAM slots , because a 2X only like RM 200+ a 4 X 1 i can get also around 300 + to 400 not a big gap (for now its still good but maybe when i change they might be kinda outdated motherboards)

Also all supports AMD Phenom II , usually they brand if AM3+

USB Ports be like 4 - 6 2.0 i think , 2 3.0

What u meant by easier / better ? Are u suggesting that am i like an overclocker or just a casual gamer ?

I usually wont do overclocking stuffs thats y i dont go super hardcore hardwares , yet i want to play games at the best performance if possible =)

[bucksfanjimj]

"What u meant by easier / better ? Are u suggesting that am i like an overclocker or just a casual gamer ?"

What feature would make your computer usage easier or better? More of one type of port? Less? More PCI-Express slots? Only you can answer that. I can't answer it for you. I just listed examples of what I look for. Those things that it make it better for me.
I tend to keep a pc for 4-6 years, so an upgrade path is important to me. Maybe not for someone else.

Clare, what you do with your pc is of no concern to me. It's yours to do what you want with. I'm just here put people on the right path to getting the most out of their pc or help fix it. Whichever they need or want.

[CLayMoRe-CLaRe]

Hmm well of course if getting more be better if the prices arent too far off with the lesser ones , i too tend to keep my PC least 3 - 5 years if possible

But i guess what the shop vendor said its true , its more likely depending on ur budget lol , so kinda think of it i think its really better off getting a 4X RAM slots , in case for future upgrades, graphic cards i doubt i will ever do Crossfire/SLI, since like most ppl said , 1 is actually sufficient for gaming , USB ports....no problem , USB Hubs = p

I asked for the vendor's advice too , he said since i wont leave the com on for 24/7 and i only using it to play games time to time, he said aroound RM 3k + will be enough , well i guess thats not too much , he built his 1 costing 5 K +

But if u want a totally overkill com in my country it cost around RM 10 K + lol , as in with the every best hardware in the PC , casing included i think

[bucksfanjimj]

"Hmm well of course if getting more be better if the prices arent too far off with the lesser ones"

True, your budget will certainly play a major factor in the final decision making. Consider this though, would settling for less make
you happy with the pc? In a year or maybe less, you may find that you should have gotten x motherboard instead of y motherboard. Now you want the other board with more of your desired features.

My opinion is this. Find the components that will satisfy your desires for the pc. Determine what the total pc will cost. Create a
savings plan to allow you to buy those components. Keep in mind that by the time you are ready to purchase those pieces, newer
models of those components may have been released. Factor in an extra 10% for your savings plan to accomodate that possibility.
It will most likely lead to a new round of research, but this time you will be prepared to buy the components.

[CLayMoRe-CLaRe]

that is a good advice indeed , specially graphic cards they change so fast , when i got my 5830 was like 430+ now 430 i can get a 6790 instead (which is better if not mistaken) and my card have drop to only 300+ !

and its not even a year i think after the 6990 launched n now they have the 7970 = = "

Tks for the advice