Mobos...what's the difference?

lttlejoe · 25 Jan 2011 at 14:07

I'm just about to pull the trigger on the kit to build an i5 2500k based machine. I know the differences in the various processors but, 1155 mobos vary from about £90.00 to around £300.00.

The one I have in mind is modestly priced at around £100.00 which should do what I want but presumably, there must be benefits in using a more expensive mobo so, what actually are the benefits of the more expensive mobos?

95thrifles · 25 Jan 2011 at 14:13

generally number of expansion slots (PCI-E + PCI), PCI-E lanes, SATA connectors, USB connectors, power phases (effects overclockability) Sli/xfire support etc
If youre asking this youre probably ok with ones at cheaper end of market tbh

lttlejoe · 25 Jan 2011 at 14:21

95thrifles said:
If youre asking this youre probably ok with ones at cheaper end of market tbh

Yep...you're probably right but, maybe I need a rethink if I would benefit from installing a more costly board!
Most all of the boards have sufficient expansion slots etc for my needs and I've never actually done any overclocking but, I would like to have a go, hence the i5 2500k choice!
Am I better off going for a more expensive board?

95thrifles · 25 Jan 2011 at 14:37

Prob not, theres some ver good boards to be had at the lower end of the price point, they will all clock well, the more expensive boards allow you to eek out a bit extra at the top but if you havent overclocked before this isnt territory youre likely to be in any time soon, if I were you Id stick with your original idea

Blue160 · 25 Jan 2011 at 14:41

What do you need from a board?

The more expensive ones tend to have crossfire/SLI support, which is no use to you unless you want to run two graphics cards.

Do you need USB3 or SATA 3 capability? Do you need a serious oveclocking board?

Don't pay for features you don't need. The important bits like the memory controller, and PCI controller are now on the CPU, so there is very little difference between the boards in raw performance.

lttlejoe · 25 Jan 2011 at 17:26

Blue160 said:
What do you need from a board?

The more expensive ones tend to have crossfire/SLI support, which is no use to you unless you want to run two graphics cards.

Do you need USB3 or SATA 3 capability? Do you need a serious oveclocking board?

Don't pay for features you don't need. The important bits like the memory controller, and PCI controller are now on the CPU, so there is very little difference between the boards in raw performance.

Fair points. My needs are mostly high end image editing, plus the usual stuff and with the right gfx card, a bit of decent gaming though I doubt I'll be using crossfire/SLI in the near future so as you say, no point in paying for stuff I don't need.
I can also live without USB3 & SATA3 for now but I'm sure verything will eventually go that way so, if a board has these features, it won't do any harm.