Best Motherboard for Gaming

by Ken on January 25, 2012

The motherboard is one of the most important parts of our computer. If the Processor or CPU is the brain of the computer, the motherboard is the heart of the computer. It is the core of the computer where all parts connect to. The motherboard’s function is to relay the information from all the integral components.

Having a quality motherboard can largely contribute on the computer’s performance, especially on gaming. To help you decide on which motherboard to buy for your computer, I listed some tips on how to choose the right motherboard for you and top motherboard models.

CPU

The first to consider in choosing a motherboard is the CPU compatibility. A certain motherboard will generally only support a particular brand such as Intel or AMD, or other CPU brands. If you want to know if the motherboard and the CPU are compatible, check if both have the same processor interface.

RAM

Your motherboard should also be compatible with the RAM. The ideal type of RAM for best gaming performance is DDR3 and at least 4GB. Choose the motherboard that will support this type and memory size.

Ports, Slots, and other features

When choosing a motherboard, you should also consider other features and ports too such as number of USB ports, Firewire port if you need it for video capturing and editing, and PCI-Express slots.

Sound Card

Generally, motherboards have built-in audio so a sound card is only optional. But if you want the best experience from your games and take full advantage of high-quality headphones or speakers, getting a sound card is the best for you.

For professional use such as music and video editing, a sound card is essential. The built-in audio is not enough to handle the task.

Now that I had given you some simple tips on how to choose your motherboard, I will now give you my list of best motherboards you can find.

EVGA 170-BL-E762

The EVGA 170-BL-E762 is a power-packed motherboard. It has everything a gaming enthusiast and techies need. EVGA 170-BL-E760 is based on the Intel X58 that supports the i7 Intel processors.  It has 4-way SLI configurations, supports up to 24 GB of DDR3 1600 RAM memory and seven distinct PCI Express card slots. In one of its slots, PCI Express allows you to plug-in a USB 3.0 expansion card. It also has excellent graphics performance and video expandability.

Specification

Model: EVGA 170-BL-E762-A1

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type: LGA 1366
CPU Type: Core i7 (LGA1366)

Chipsets

North Bridge: Intel X58
South Bridge: Intel ICH10R

Memory

Memory Slots: 6x240pin
Memory Standard: DDR 1600+
Maximum Memory Supported: 24 GB
Channel Supported: Triple Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0×16
1 x PCI-E x16 slots, running at x16
2 x PCI-E x16 slots, running at x16/x8
3 x PCI-E x16 slots, running at x8

Features

NVIDIA SLI Technology
2-Way SLI Support
3-Way SLI Support
4-Way SLI Support
On-Board Clear CMOS Button
On-Board Reset Button with Integrated HDD Activity Light
On-Board Power Button with Integrated Power Light
300% more gold content in the CPU socket

Asus P6X58D

Asus P6X58D is almost the same level performance as the EVGA 170-BL-E762 but only cheaper. The P6X58D is considered as the “hub of new hosted features and technology”. It has three PCI Express slots, and supports up to 24 GB of DDR3 1600 RAM memory. One good thing about this board is that you could use it for a long time and doesn’t require an upgrade because of its SATA 6GB/s and USB 3.0. This is also the most featured motherboard in the market. Another good thing about this board is that it is made by Asus; the industry leader for producing innovative features and technology.

Specifications

Model: Asus P6X58D

Supported CPU

CPU Type: Core i7 (LGA1366)
CPU Socket Type: LGA 1366
Supported CPU Technologies: Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Memory

Memory Standard: DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported: 24GB
Memory Slots: 6x240pin
Channel Supported: Triple Channel

Chipsets

North Bridge: Intel X58
South Bridge: Intel ICH10R

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16: 3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (at x16/x8/x8 or x16/x16/x1 mode)
PCI Express x1: 1
PCI Slots: 2

Rear Panel Ports

PS/2: 2
USB 1.1/2.0: 4 x USB 2.0
USB 3.0: 2
IEEE 1394: 1
S/PDIF Out: 1 x Optical, 1 x Coaxial
Audio Ports: 6

Features

Next Generation 32nm 6-Core Processor Ready
Intel LGA1366 Platform & Intel X58/CH10R chipset
True USB 3.0 and SATA 6 GB/s support
3-Way SLI & Quad-GPU CrossFireX support
MemOK!
ASUS True 16+2 Phase Power Design

EVGA E758-A1

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 3-Way SLI Core i7 Motherboard with Tri-Channel DDR3 and Tuning Utility

The EVGA E758-A1 can be classified as A1 motherboard. It is a great foundation for gaming PC and provides excellent features on a decent price. This board features a 2 and 3-Way SLI, 10 SATA ports, with one ESTATA specific port; 6 ports for the EVGA adapter and connectors for multi-video editing support and 12 USB 2.0 ports.

It can handle continual use, thanks to its heat sink material used for the insulation and heat prevention which is good news for game enthusiasts who play games for a long period of time. This board is great for business purposes too.

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 X58 3-Way SLI Core i7 Motherboard with Tri-Channel DDR3 and Tuning Utility

Specifications

Model: EVGA E758-A1

Memory

Memory Slots: 6 x 240-pin DIMM sockets
Memory Standard: DDR3 1066/1333 MHz
Maximum Memory Supported: 12GB

Expansion Slot

1 x PCIe x 16
1 x PCIe x8/X16
1 x PCIe x1
1 x PCIe x1
2 x PCI
2 x 32-bit PCI, support for PCI 2.1

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2

 

Another great product from the technology great ASUS. Like the P6X58D, you can expect high performance in this board. It is a complete package with high memory specs and low power consumption because of its fine circuits. Gaming enthusiasts will surely love its triple channel memory which provides outstanding result in real tech games. It supports a maximum of 24 GB of DDR3 1333 RAM memory and can run up to 1600, 1866 and even 2000 if overclocked.  It also features a three PCI Express 2.0 expansion slots.

Specifications

Model: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type: LGA 1366
CPU Type: Core i7

Memory

Memory Support: DDR3
Maximum Speed 1600 MHz
Memory Slots: 6
Maximum Size per Slot: 4GB
Maximum Memory Supported: 24 GB

External Connections

USB 2.0
FireWire
Audio Out: Surround Sound (7.1)
Audio In: Line-In/Microphone
S/PDIF: Optical and Coaxial

Expansion Slots

PCI Express x4
PCI Express 2.0 x16
PCI
PCI
PCI Express 2.0 x16
PCI Express 2.0 x 16

ASUS Rampage III Extreme

The ASUS Rampage III is an upgrade of another great board, the Rampage II. It improved the USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 and the SATA 3GB/s to SATA 6GB/s. With these improvements, the Extreme III has an extreme performance, vibrant versatility and high-quality technology. Its overclocking is very effective which is very crucial for heaviest applications in the software aspects. Another great thing about its overclocking is that it can be increased even with your phone’s Bluetooth.

The Rampage III features the 24 GB Double sided fully dense RAM with 4 PCI slots which has the capacity support single, double, triple and quad graphic support devices and the NVIDIA’s SLI with the ATI crossfire to make it fit with the four graphic cards ion modes of X8.

Specifications

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type: Intel Socket 1366
CPU Type: Core i7

Memory

Memory Standard: DDR3
Maximum Memory Supported: 24 GB
Channel Supported: Triple Channel

Expansion Slots

4 x PCIe 2.0 x 16, support x16/x16; x16/x8/x8 and x8/x8/x8/x8 configurations
1 x PCIe x4
1 x PCI 2.2

 

Special Features

MemOK!
ASUS Fan Xpert
ASUS MyLogo3
ASUS EZ Flash 2
CPU Level Up
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

 

 

 

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Best Processor for Gaming

by Ken on January 23, 2012

A Processor is also known as CPU, or Central Processing Unit. It is the most important part of the computer. It works as the computer’s brain. Every computer in the market usually displays what kind of Processor does it bears like for example: “Intel Inside”. It boast what the computer has and capable of, so you’ll notice how important the Processor plays in our computer.

However, while it is the most important part of the computer in general, it comes only second in GPU or Graphics Processing Unit in computer gaming. The GPU is like the CPU but works on a graphics part of our computer.

Right now, I’ll provide some highlights and reviews about CPU and CPU brands.

Processors have two important aspects: the clock speed and the number of cores. Clock speed is read through Gigahertz (GHz). The higher number of cores is more important than higher numbers of clock speed. For example, a four-core 3GHZ CPU will beat the dual-core 3.3GHZ in performance.

Now, here is the list of the best gaming processors in the market today.

Intel Core i7-2600k

This “Sandy Bridge” processor is one of the best in its price bracket in the market today. Although gaming enthusiasts may not be greatly impress with this processor, but it still do the job above the expectation.

Fast and Unlocked

The i7-2600k is a quad-core processor with the clock speed of 3.4 GHz but can run at the maximum speed of 3.8, thanks to its Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. The “k” in the model’s name means it has unlocked multiplier to allow overclocking without the hassle.

Multitasking

With the Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, i7’s all four core can perform two tasks at the same time. It speeds up your work and saves you time.

Smooth Graphics

No need for discrete graphics card. Built-in visuals provide great and steady graphics and cut the power consumption. It has graphic clock speed from 850 MHz up to 1350 MHz. Its InTru3D provides stereoscopic 3D Blu-ray playback in 1080p resolution and premium audio through HDMI 1.4.

Pros

-          Above average media-processing performance.

-          Unlocked for hassle-free overclocking

Cons

-          Requires new motherboard

Conclusion

Intel Core i7-2600k is an impressive release from Intel. It may not be an over-all outstanding, but still beats competitors on its level. It can perform your daily computer task and average computer games excellently. It’s a value processor on a lesser price.

Intel Core i5-2500k

Another “Sandy Bridge” processor but an inferior model compare to the i7-2600k. It is cheaper and less-powerful. But nonetheless, it’s still worthy of room in your motherboard.

Aside from its unique Intel HD Graphics 3000, the highest-performing Intel integrated graphics at this time, the i5-2500 contains resemblance from i7-2600k such as the Unlocking, the Built-In Visuals for smooth graphic experience and power-saving enhancement. It also has Intel InTru3D for 3D Blu-ray playback and premium audio.

What’s less with the i5-2500k from the i7-600k is it’s slower with 3.3 GHz compared to 3.4 GHz of i7 and runs the maximum of 3.7 against i7’s 3.8 GHz. It also lacks the i7’s Intel Hyper-Threading technology for multitasking performance.

Pros

-          High-performance

-          Intel HD Graphics 3000, the highest-performing Intel integrated graphics.

-          Unlocked for hassle-free overclocking

Cons

-          Doesn’t have Hyper-Threading

-          Requires new motherboard

Conclusion

It’s still a high-performing processor. It is the best on its price level and remains competitive against other brands in the market.

Intel Core i3-2100

The Intel Core i3-2100 is maybe the cheapest Sandy Bridge available. It also has the least feature compare to its more powerful big brothers i5-2500k and i7-2600k.

The Core i3-2100 is a dual-core chip based on Intel’s 32nm production process. It’s 3.1GHz fast but can’t provide extra speed because of the lack of Turbo Boost. It can function up to four processing thread at the same time through Hyper-Threading.

The Core i3-2100 contains 3MB of cache with Intel HD Graphics 2000 for integrated video which is the least of the two Sandy Bridge integrated video options. However, it will be significantly useful for DirectX10.1.

Pro

-          Uses two processing cores and up to four threads.

-          Contains second-generation Core features.

Con

-          Requires new motherboard

-          Least current Intel CPU

-          Slower Intel HD Graphics 2000

Conclusion

Being the least Sandy Bridge, it still surprisingly met my expectations. It may fall short on techies’ standard, but it is more than enough for everyday computing. If you understand its limitations, then you’ll feel satisfied with the Core i3-2100 like me.

Intel Core i7-990X

Intel Core i7-990X is the fastest Core today with the speeding 3.45 GHz, with maximum of 3.73 GHz with Turbo Boost. Though it is an update of the recent i7 chips, it is still somehow the same with 12MB cache, 12 threads, 130 watts TDP, unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and the AES-NI instructions.

Perfect Game

The i7-990X is a six-core, 12-thread processor that is perfect for gaming. It will bring your 3D gaming in to life without any interruptions or hiccups. This technology is also ready for the future’s advance gaming.

 

High-Performance for Digital Media

The i7-990X will be useful not only on gaming but other tasks as well including digital editing software. It is perfect for HD video editing and photo editing. Other tasks perfect for 990X are DVD encoding, compression, HD movie sharing, video transcoding and compression.

Speed

The 990X contains a new technology called the QuickPath Interconnect or QPI. This technology allows the 990X to increase bandwidth and lessens latency and achieve data transfer speeds of up to 25.6GB/s.

Pro

-          Superb speed.

-          Six cores and 12 threads

Cons

-          Pricey

Conclusion

You get what you pay for. But the price you’ll shell out will do so much for you whatever tasks you need such as gaming, business or personal use. And the good thing about the 990X is that you don’t have to worry of upgrading processor for the next generation of gaming.

Intel Core i7-980X

The Intel Core i7-980X is the lesser processor compares to 990X. It has same features only lesser value such as the clock speed which the 980X runs at 3.33 GHz compares to 990X’s 3.45 GHz.

It contains features the same as 990X such as:

-           four core and 12 threads for excellent gaming experience and digital media performance

-          QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) for achieving data transfer speed.

-          Turbo Boost Technology allows 980X to boost its clock speed to a maximum of 3.60 GHz.

-          Hyper-Threading Technology for enhanced multitasking

-          Unlocked for easy overclocking.

Pro

-          Superb speed

-          Six cores and 12 threads

Con

-          Pricey

Conclusion

Though it’s a lot like the Core i7-990X, its difference is its lesser speed and lower cost. Second to the 990X, it is a speeding and multitasking processor that will satisfy any gaming enthusiast and techies out there.

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