Motherboards - which is the better buy?

N

nj473

Member
Hey, as I am building a new pc for first time I would like to know which motherboard is better? The ASUS M4A88TD-V (which was my original plan) or the one I have just now seen... M5A97?

Both have similar features (as far as I can tell) but the M5A97 looks slightly better, even though for some reason it appears to be slightly cheaper everywhere I look.

Is there something I'm missing here? Could anyone advise me?

Thanks
 
I'm not familiar with Asus boards so could you link both of them for me to look it? Or just list the specs of each board.

I think those boards are both mATX as well.
 
Here's some comparisomes.
88TD-EVO:
EVO = enthusiast series. Some overclocking software/features the other doesn't have. 8+2 pwer phase.
AM3 socket and I don't think there will be a bios update for Zambezi support.
880G/850 chipset.
Integrated GPU.
5 Sata ports.
16GB max RAM up to 2000 overclocked.
M5A97 PRO:
Some overclocking features. 6+2 digital power phase.
AM3+ socket.
970/950 chipset.
No IGP.
6 Sata ports.
32GB max RAM // up to 1866 or oc'd to 2133.(w/BD cpu)//

Both are ATX. Between those 2, there's only 1 real choice here imo, and it's the one with the AM3+ socket.
What's the intended use for the computer?
 
Ahh that's very interesting... thank you for that response.

I noticed that the 88td doesnt have an IGP in it, and I wasn't sure if the A97 was suitable for the new AMD range should I wish to upgrade to it, but apparently this is true then.

This is my first build and I am replacing a retail HP computer that doesnt have great spec and doesnt have much of a capacity for upgrading, so I thought I would just start from scratch. I am building a computer for use with games, Bluray playback, other 1080p use, dual monitors, video encoding, photoshop (I'm an enthusiast photographer) and general use so i want it to be fast. I already have another post on this forum about this first time build where I asked for the best parts etc. Although in that post I did mention that i have no interest in O/Cing as I wouldnt trust myself with it!

Could I ask aswell, would this motherboard (the M5A97 Pro as its looking like now) support a fat expensive sapphire graphics card? I've seen pictures of it and the PCIx16 seems to be crammed in there and it doesnt look like it would fit anything in there! Maybe it's just me so do you think it would be ok?

Thanks again
 
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