AM3 budget Mobo

[YinYang.ERROR]

I have been looking at these 2 Mobos -
ATX - ASRock M3A785GXH
MATX - ASRock M3A785GMH

I'm looking for a budget ATX and equivalent MATX mobo both with the AM3 socket. Are the following any good?


Edit: Also how does this CPU compare to the PIIx3 720: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103656

 

[erocker]

I'd stay away from Asrock personally.

This is better/cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130237

The x3 720 has an unlocked multi for easier overclocking and is a tri core. That processor is a locked quad. I'd go for an unlocked CPU.

 

[YinYang.ERROR]

I'd stay away from Asrock personally.

This is better/cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130237

yeah... I kind of want DDR3 RAM support. And I would need a ATX equivalent.

 

[erocker]

even better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

ATX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

 

[YinYang.ERROR]

even better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

ATX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

Would this work as a replacement for the Gigabyte MATX?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

 

[erocker]

Sure! I just picked the Gigabyte because it's cheaper. Asus is good.

 

[YinYang.ERROR]

Alright, thank you much.

Also is the PIIX4 925 worth $30 more than the PIIx3 BE 720 (is it worth it to buy it over the 720)?
it seems to be new: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103656

 

[erocker]

If you are just gaming/overclocking here and there, deffinitely get the x3 720. It's sooo much easier to overclock and no more messing with HTT. To speed things up, you just raise the CPU multi, raise the NB multi and mess with voltage a little. Plus, you always have the chance of unlocking a core.

 

[YinYang.ERROR]

Great deal, thanks! You saved me quite a bit of hassle and money.

Is it alright to give the 720 a small bump (to say 3ghz) with stock cooling? I don't plan on OCing much, but it may come in handy later.

 

[Soylent Joe]

Great deal, thanks! You saved me quite a bit of hassle and money.

Is it alright to give the 720 a small bump (to say 3ghz) with stock cooling? I don't plan on OCing much, but it may come in handy later.

I'm sure you could go up to 3GHz with no problem. I would recommend spending a few extra bucks on a CM Hyper 212 when they get some in, it's got HDT, a big fan, and is pretty cheap. I'm sure you could have it at 3.8GHz forever with that cooler.

 

[p_o_s_pc]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186150
I recommend that one hell of a board for a good price

 

[Soylent Joe]

Joe's AM3 ATX recommendation

 

[YinYang.ERROR]

Thanks guys, I was wondering does the activation of the dormant core on the 720 increase the processor's heat? If so is it safe to run it on stock cooling?

 

[erocker]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186150
I recommend that one hell of a board for a good price

Foxconn. Really? I've never had very good luck with those. Bios support seems to be slow and not very good. I haven't dealt with them for a couple years though.

Thanks guys, I was wondering does the activation of the dormant core on the 720 increase the processor's heat? If so is it safe to run it on stock cooling?

Most likely. Even if you are able to unlock a core, you will probablly have to increase voltage for stability. You should try to see what you can do with three cores before trying an unlock.

 

[LittleLizard]

there is a 790fx mobo for 90 bucks and free shipping... but is foxconn

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186149&Tpk=foxconn 790fx

@erocker: why would you stay away from asrock? they make good boards for the price they offer them. A few years ago they were crap but now they are a pretty good manufacturer.

EDIT: this board is pretty good for the price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157167.

 

[erocker]

@erocker: why would you stay away from asrock? they make good boards for the price they offer them. A few years ago they were crap but now they are a pretty good manufacturer.

They still use cheaper components and are just as expensive as better boards that use better components.

 

[LittleLizard]

They still use cheaper components and are just as expensive as better boards that use better components.

no. most of the time they ARE cheaper than the competition and quite as good. they are cheaper because they use simpler design (manual lane switching for instance, sata bridge to have esata, shortened pcb) but when it comes to performance they are almost the same as the competition. also the asrock's have the highest chances of unlocking together with gigabyte and msi.

still, lets not get offtopic.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

the biostar ta790gx a3+ is a good choice. its cheap and should be "average", but overclocks nicely like i read. i dont know if an mATX factor of it exists,tho...

 

[p_o_s_pc]

the biostar ta790gx a3+ is a good choice. its cheap and should be "average", but overclocks nicely like i read. i dont know if an mATX factor of it exists,tho...

what about the Foxconn that i linked to a few post up?(the same board you have) would you recommend it over the Biostar?

 

[LittleLizard]

what about the Foxconn that i linked to a few post up?(the same board you have) would you recommend it over the Biostar?

foxconn made a 790fx which is cheaper than the 790gx u linked and has free shipping

 

[p_o_s_pc]

foxconn made a 790fx which is cheaper than the 790gx u linked and has free shipping

that is true but he wants DDR3 not DDR2 like the 790fx foxconn is. but that is a sick deal for the 790fx board

btw the newer foxconn boards can play with the big boys now.They have come a long ways in a few years

 

[Velvet Wafer]

what about the Foxconn that i linked to a few post up?(the same board you have) would you recommend it over the Biostar?

if the biostar behaves like my a2+ did,regarding htt clocking, then supposedly not, but i believe this is an am3 problem (low htt achievable), so the foxconn definetly is the better choice (all solid caps,high quality chokes) memory slots are near to the power connector, so even very big heatsinks fit, without loosing ram exchangability. bios jumper is set very good, its very easy to see (in the mid of the slots towards the sata ports) , and to use, even with dual cards installed

 

[p_o_s_pc]

I myself still want to get my hands on the DDR2 version of the foxconn board that you have or the 790fx one (more PCI-E slots for folding cards )

 

[erocker]

no. most of the time they ARE cheaper than the competition and quite as good. they are cheaper because they use simpler design (manual lane switching for instance, sata bridge to have esata, shortened pcb) but when it comes to performance they are almost the same as the competition. also the asrock's have the highest chances of unlocking together with gigabyte and msi.

still, lets not get offtopic.

Don't spurt out a bunch of false information, then tell me to get back on topic. Cheaper capacitors and other electrical components comes to mind. Highest chanses of unlocking? Please. That has nothing to do with a motherboard that has the ACC function, it has to do with the processor itself. Performance may be close, but I'll spend my money on a board that costs the same and uses better components. Plus, I've actually used many of these boards and I'm pretty sure you cannot say the same.

 

[suraswami]

I myself still want to get my hands on the DDR2 version of the foxconn board that you have or the 790fx one (more PCI-E slots for folding cards )

Heard Nightmare stories about Foxconn RMA, but haven't experienced myself. So if you are paying that much why not just buy a gigabyte or Asus?

BTW for cooler I would go with this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064