P55 vs H55/H57

what is the difference between the P55 chipset and the H55/H57.i know that the H55/H57 has the graphics for the i3/i5s that have the integrated gpu.

I think the main differences are the number of PCI lanes and the IGP support.

I was guessing that the p55 could support more pci lames. If you were going to put an i3 with a single card would you go p55 or h55

Well, the system I'm using as of now is i3/P55. Also, H55 doesn't have onboard RAID, but H57 does. So, P55 vs H55, I'd go P55. I don't know the benefits of P55 over H57 for a single card setup though. I would expect H55/57 not to OC as well as P55, but that's just a guess with no personal experience.

even with a i3/i5 with on-die graphics, i would still go P55. single card performance will be the same since the pcie lanes for the gpus are on-die. even a CF/sli setup performance will be the same if it was a option for H55/H57 but isnt. looking on newegg there are dual x16 slot boards for CF/SLI with H55/H57. though they cost more then the GB-P55M-UD4(@$139), one is $199. for a main stream chipset not what i call cost effective given the options. H57 is more akin to P55 but with add display ports for the ondie video. both H57 and P55 have the same number of pcie lanes coming off the PCH and same number of SATA ports as well. H55 has less pcie lanes coming off the PCH and less SATA ports as well. though for many people out there the 4 sata ports on H55 will be more then enough.

we have been spoiled a bit by getting more for our money. now the tides are different and prices may be more inline. With the features people need to the price they pay.