Motherboard - Best bang for the buck

[element291]

Someone saw my miniitx project that i've wasted well over $900 on so far and is dying to have it, so pending sale what would you guys suggest is the best motherboard I should go with.

I'm looking for one with at least 2 x16PCI-E slots SLI ready and 4 or more memory slots. I'll probably start at 2x2GB then switch it up to 8GB.

I'm sporting the Intel Quad as well.

[YukonTrooper]

You're stuck with an Nvidia chipset, so your options go from many to a few. The best you can do new is something 750i based, and the cheapest you can get one is around $180. If you go used, you could buy a 680i for a good price.

EDIT: [FS] EVGA 750i SLI mobo ($110)| ASUS P5N-D 750i ($110) |EVGA 9600gt (HOLD) - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

[JD]

Get the 750i at least, if possible, 780i or 790i if you can go to DDR3.

Personally I would pass on the 650i/680i since they had their fair share of problems.

[kruzn4evr]

If you go with a 750i just make sure you go with the Ftw version, the regular 750i has a cheap n cheezy NB fan set up. The 780i would be a better way to go in the long run, it has more sata connectors than the 750i which only has 4 and has the 2GB lan and of course a 3rd PCI-E never hurts either. You should be able to pick up a good used one for around $170 (I'll be selling mine when the RMA'd new one gets back...nudge nudge ;)

[element291]

This doesnt appear to be half bad. - XFX nForce 780i 3-Way SLI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 780i, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express 2.0, Dual Gigabit LAN, SPDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, Serial ATA, RAID MB-N780-ISH9 in Canada at TigerDirect.ca

Lemme know what you think.

[enaberif]

Is there any particular reason for your demands?

Do you actually plan to SLI?

[element291]

I plan to sli probably later on in the year. Looking for motherboard now, and will most likely have a few graphics cards by june(ish)

Do you suggest a better way?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by element291

I plan to sli probably later on in the year. Looking for motherboard now, and will most likely have a few graphics cards by june(ish)

Do you suggest a better way?

It all depends on your needs and wants.

Do you plan to ever use a screen larger than 24"? If not SLI isn't really needed with such powerful single card solutions.

[element291]

I most likely wont run anything higher than what I have now. Samsung T220HD 22" HDMI

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by element291

I most likely wont run anything higher than what I have now. Samsung T220HD 22" HDMI

Then SLI would be a waste. Single card like GTX 260 55nm or GTX 280 will be more than enough for you.

You could go for a P45 chipset board like a Gigabyte P45 or P5Q-Pro and be very happy.