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Nice, cheap mATX board for my Phenom? / how does my build log look.

890 views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  Niko-Time 
#1 ·
Going to be getting a new case, the Fractal Design Arc Mini, so I shall need a mATX board to go with it, to be used with my sig rig. Won't be doing heavy overclocking to any extent, and I presume I will be needing to buy some DDR3 ram to go with it. Basically, something cheap which is compatible and future proof if I want to throw a newer CPU in, which has space for 2 PCI slots (my wireless card and my sound card) - although it will not need to have them if it comes with an optical audio output or built in wireless.

Cheers! I'm based in the UK so websites such as overclockers.co.uk, ebuyers.co.uk, aria.co.uk or whatever would be ace. And as cheap as physically possible...
Niko
 
#2 ·
Okay, so I am looking at the Asus M5A78L-M/USB3. I like it's USB 3.0 and support for FX in the future. My worry is that my graphics card will block the first pci slot, will it?

MB-466-AS_37349_350.jpg
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Niko-Time View Post

Is it good enough to play BF3 with?
EDIT: And a brit linking another brit to newegg? Madness!
Ah, I do apologise, missed that bit in the first post
rolleyes.gif

I just presume that most people on the forum are from the US
tongue.gif


That's the card I use in 2 of my PC's, and I've never had any problems, but if your're gaming, then you may want a 300mbps card.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WN881ND-300Mbps-Wireless-Express-Adapter/dp/B006BSPTAQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1338114282&sr=8-3

You might want to look into Powerline networking also if your house is suitable, but that is a bit more expensive

I think you'll be fine with a 300mbs card, then you're layout will be:

Wireless Card
GPU
GPU Cooler
Sound card.

Hope this helps.
 
#10 ·
Cheers mate, and I was only teasing, everyone does seem to be from the other, lesser side of the pond. Thanks for the help! I may as well get the 300 for the sake of a few quid.
 
#12 ·
If you're going mATX (which obvs. means a board with no VRM cooling), choose a quality board with a quality VRM design (check), and add VRM cooling or get rid of the Hyper 212 EVO and use the stock cooler or other.
 
#14 ·
Okay, so change of plan with the case, instead I shall be going for the Xigmatek Giggas as this is really going to end up being a living room htpc when I move in with my girlfriend in a few months to go with my 27" PCBank 1440p IPS. So, parts list:

Xigmatek Giggas in Black for £89.99 shipped: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/31612958/0/Xigmatek-Gigas-Chassis/ListingDetails.html?_$ja=tsid%3a11518%7ccat%3a31612958%7cprd%3a31612958

Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 motherboard for £49.99 shipped: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-M5A78L-M-USB3-Motherboard-Socket/dp/B0054U7HIO/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_0

Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 XMS3 8GB for £37.61 shipped: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMX8GX3M2A1333C9-XMS3-Memory-Module/dp/B003N8GVUY/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1338397378&sr=1-1

Total: £177.58

Questions: How does this all look? Also, will I be able to connect the Giggas's front USB 3.0 connector to the board? Do I still need the VRM coolers with this case - cannot find the ones I linked earlier anywhere in stock in the UK? And is there anyway I could save some money
wink.gif
? I will probably buy an SSD before I get this all set up as well, keeping an eye on the prices...

Cheers!
 
#15 ·
The only way I know of that will let you have the PCI open is to have a board like my own that has a PCI-E slot on the bottom of the board. I don't know of any mATX board now that support FX and have dual PCI-e slots on it. So I think your best solution is to get a PCI-e X1 wireless card and get a decent quality board like XD said.
 
#19 ·
Really? Ah well. How would I set it up to make the USB 3.0 port work over 2.0?

Scratch that, can get a Silverstone EC01-P which is a USB 3.0 PCI-E x1 adapter for £23 posted which will do me just fine.
 
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