motherboard

[Ron]

Hi, I'm just getting started, and I have a lot of questions. First, with the motherboard. It seems that the Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P that Rob is recommending is "deactivated" and is no longer available. What would you recommend Now?
Also, I do want to run four monitors. What would be your recommendation for a video card or cards?
And, as far as the Case and Power Supply; if I will need more than 500-watts, what do you think about my buying the Antec Sonata Elite Case? ($92.66 at Amazon) and what Power supply do you think I will need?
Last, I would like to include in my build, a BLU-RAY Writer. What do you think about the LG-BH12LS38 internal writer? ($121.95 at Amazon)
Thank You for helping me get started.

[RickyTick]

The P55 motherboard is several generations old. You should be looking for either a P67 or Z68.
To run 4 monitors, you'll need to run 2 video cards. What will be the primary purpose of the computer?

[Ron]

The P55 motherboard is several generations old. You should be looking for either a P67 or Z68.
To run 4 monitors, you'll need to run 2 video cards. What will be the primary purpose of the computer?

Hi, Thank you for your reply.
I will be using this for my work. Not gaming. Looks like i will need 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, (if i need 2 cards)
Is the CPU socket type important?
Thanks

[Ron]

The Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P ATX intel Motherboard seems to be popular.
I'm looking on newegg.com, too many choices.
This being my first build, i want it to be a fast, high quality computer.

[RickyTick]

That's a fine motherboard. No problems there.
I was thinking of video cards like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130609

Yes, the cpu socket type is important. The motherboard and cpu have to be the same (compatible). I was thinking of a i5-2500 cpu.
Do you have a budget in mind?

[Ron]

That's a fine motherboard. No problems there.
I was thinking of video cards like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130609

Yes, the cpu socket type is important. The motherboard and cpu have to be the same (compatible). I was thinking of a i5-2500 cpu.
Do you have a budget in mind?

I am going with the intel i7. With that, I would like the video cards to have HDMI ports.
I already have the monitors. Just saw the Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 motherboard, what do you think?
Budget? about $1500 or less.

[Ron]

Just looked at the GT 430. nice.
System requirement is 300 watts, minimum.
Am I going to need a 750 watt power supply with this? (2 cards)

[RickyTick]

I am going with the intel i7. With that, I would like the video cards to have HDMI ports.
I already have the monitors. Just saw the Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 motherboard, what do you think?
Budget? about $1500 or less.

The X79 puts you in a completely different area. Nothing wrong with it, it's just a bit expensive and not a performance boost over i7-2600k.
Read through this.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/22476

Finding video cards with dual HDMI is limited. I saw 2 at Newegg and the reviews were very poor.

[Randal1800]

RickyTick, is the P67 or Z68 still your choice for a replacement MB that have been discontinued? Newegg has a GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 or GIGABYTE GA-P67X-UD3-B3 for $100. Thoughts?

[RickyTick]

No, you should be looking at Z77 motherboards now.

[Randal1800]

Thanks, I will do that. I'm not a gamer and will use this computer for photoshop edits primarily, can I use a video card that is not as high end as the recommended?