I am building my first custom desktop, and I have run into a problem: I have no idea which motherboard to get. My current build includes:
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT ST95005620AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive -Bare Drive
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 991770 (x2)
COOLING: CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX
PSU: CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
My budget can run to $1200; however, I would like to keep it to $1000 (probably not going to be possible with the stuff I am buying above). I am going to be using the computer to play games at max settings, autodesk animation, the adobe products (e.g. photoshop, illustrator, dreamweaver), and i generally do not want to have any problems with it whatsoever in terms of performance because I am fed up with owning really bad computers. I also realize that I need a case, which I am still trying to figure out. I would also like to know if sound quality is affected if I use the stock soundcard on the mobo if I ONLY use headphones (i don't even own speakers). Lastly, I would like to know if there is anything on the list that can be downgraded without losing much performance but at the same time saving a lot of money. Any help would be appreciated - Thanks
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT ST95005620AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive -Bare Drive
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 991770 (x2)
COOLING: CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX
PSU: CORSAIR TX Series CMPSU-950TX 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
My budget can run to $1200; however, I would like to keep it to $1000 (probably not going to be possible with the stuff I am buying above). I am going to be using the computer to play games at max settings, autodesk animation, the adobe products (e.g. photoshop, illustrator, dreamweaver), and i generally do not want to have any problems with it whatsoever in terms of performance because I am fed up with owning really bad computers. I also realize that I need a case, which I am still trying to figure out. I would also like to know if sound quality is affected if I use the stock soundcard on the mobo if I ONLY use headphones (i don't even own speakers). Lastly, I would like to know if there is anything on the list that can be downgraded without losing much performance but at the same time saving a lot of money. Any help would be appreciated - Thanks