Need gaming MOBO with lots of HDD ports.

[aetherh4cker]

I'm building a computer within the next few months, and I need a good motherboard.

My requirements are:

1. I obviously want a quality motherboard that will be with me for years to come.

2. Gaming is a big thing for me. Must be a good one!

3. I like to have the option to overclock. I've been thinking ASUS would be a good brand.

4. Intel LGA 775, PCI Express x16 Video Card Port.

5. SLI: Cool if it's there, don't care if it isn't. I don't plan to use two video cards, but I guess it would be cool to have that option.

6. Here's a big one. I need it to support like 5-6 hard drives. What I have in mind is a faster primary hard drive for my OS and games, and a 5-disk RAID5 setup for my... 'stuff'...

7. I'd like it to support the faster FSB for Intel. 1333 I think it was?

8. Preferably something I can buy from Newegg.

Just would like some tips from the pros. I kind of know what to look for, kind of not.

 

[peterhuang913]

Just get a P35-Ds3r board.

 

[b1gapl]

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Inexpensive, has 8 SATA ports, supports RAID 5, no SLI but no big deal, supports a native 1333MHz FSB, futureproof for upcoming 45nm processors, great gaming performance, and even greater overclockability.

 

[veg1992]

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Inexpensive, has 8 SATA ports, supports RAID 5, no SLI but no big deal, supports a native 1333MHz FSB, futureproof for upcoming 45nm processors, great gaming performance, and even greater overclockability.

agreed on the p35-ds3r

 

[aetherh4cker]

In all honesty, I've never heard of GIGABYTE. I was really thinking ASUS. But three recommendations on the same board makes me wonder... Is GIGABYTE a good brand? Game-wise too?

What does peterhuang913 mean by PCI raid controllers? Does it not support RAID on it's own?

 

[b1gapl]

Gigabyte is a great brand. It's always recommended here. Especially that P35-DS3R. It's one of the best overclocking boards, for not much money, and from reviews....has very good gaming performance.

The board does support RAID on it's own. Just that some boards don't support the likes of RAID 5 or 0+1. But the one I suggested, supports those.

 

[peterhuang913]

Gigabyte is a CRAZY GOOD brand. NVM on the raid cards.

 

[muckluck]

I'd watch out for Abit now. Those where the **** back when I started OCing. I heard there mobos are lacking now a days.

 

[phucng_10]

Just wondering, what does RAID ports actually do?

 

[b1gapl]

They help in setting up RAID, if the motherboard doesn't support it.