I would need your advice regarding two mATX motherboards

[Kenshiro]

Hi all,

I sort of am forced to rebuild some of my components into a hptc case as I’m losing the room where I have my actual desktop installed.
My 1st son is moving into that room as we’re expecting a 2nd child, hence the need to put everything I can into a (gaming) htpc and move it into the living room, even though gaming will be probably reduced quite a bit lol.

I have been searching and looking a lot these last weeks and I finally found two candidates:
1.   GA-785GMT-USB3 and
2.   GA-880GMA-UD2H

I have checked many many reviews and the main pain point on both is that if you are going to use a dedicated graphic card  (I’ll use 8800GT) it will most probably block 1-2 (even 3) of the Sata connectors on the motherboard, already pointed out on this thread for the 880GMA-UD2H.

Regarding the SATA ports blocked by larger graphic cards, will a 90 or 270 angle sata cable (non-latched) allow me to fully use those sata ports, if I connect them prior installing the 8800GT?  
I mean, I can still use an IDE optical drive, but I  have at least 3 HDD’s which need to be connected and being able to use only 2 SATA ports would be a major drawback for me.

Last but not least, I like the UD2H more, but does it sense to have Sata III ?  No mechanical HDD would profit from it, only a SSD can. Are there already SATA3 SSD drives out?  I’m planning nevertheless to get one SSD (120GB) to install OS (Win7) and Games.  I read that the Sandyforce2200 controller should be out already.  

So to sum up, both mobo’s are very similar, one offers Sata3 the other one not and the UD2H is factory ready for a Hexacore, the USB3 isn’t (with Bios update F2 yes)  - something to take into account....

As I assume that SATA3 and USB3 are backwards compatible with Sata2 and USB2, should I really worry then?  These technologies will be standard in not such a long time.

Sorry for  making this so long, but you see, I need to plan this very carefully.

I’m really looking forward to see what you think about this…

Thank you again for reading me.

Best regards,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

The question regarding covering the SATA ports with a GPU is not really a problem as you can use the L connectioned type.

As for the SSD, there have been SATA3 SSDs around for quite a whilke. The Crucial C300 range are probably the best.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listmodule/SSD/~2.5-inch%20Solid%20State%20Drive~/list.html

[absic]

Hi and congratulations on the forthcoming addition to your family!

As DM has said you can use the L Shaped SATA connectors but (why does there always have to be a but?) the layout of the SATA ports on either motherboard will limit how you can use these. On the bright side, I have used used a Sapphire 4850X2 on the GA-785GMT-USB3 and I was able to use all 5 SATA Ports although it took a bit of gentle persuasion to get the Graphic Card to sit properly. You can actually bend the SATA Cable to 90 degrees if you have to use a standard upright cable, although it probably won't take too many bending operations before it will  fail.

Both SATA3 and USB3 are backwards compatible and faced with your options I would go for the GA-880GMA-UD2H as it offers the best potential for future upgrades on a limited budget. Also, the AMD SB850 chipset is pretty solid and is the same used on my own GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboard so I know it works well in all modes and also with SSD drives.

[Kenshiro]

Thank you for the comments DarkMantis and absic,

I will get a few L shaped connectors and try my best.

Regarding the SSD drives, I have a few more questions, but I'm not sure if I should open a new thread for this in another section...can I keep posting in this one?

Cheers,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

No problem to continue in this thread I am sure.

[Kenshiro]

Thanx DarkMantis,

So, let's go straight to the point.
I’m a total newbie regarding SSD technology, I’m just starting to understand it now.

The link you posted yesterday for the Crucial SSD’s is for Sata3, I assume.  They do have TRIM enabled, right?

Then, yesterday I read on TheSSDReview that Intel is bringing out the new 320 Series (Sata2) at higher speed, with more capacity.

Would  you still though go for Crucial Sata 3 and enjoy the  new speed?  What about the OCZ Vortex 3 and other brands?

I’m fully aware that some might think that I’m throwing away the money, that I should wait for new controller, that the prices will drop etc etc….
Unfortunately I can’t wait and I need to take a decision as soon as possible, I just don’t want to fail on this purchase, as it’s quite a sum of money to spend….

Cheers again,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Ken

The link I posted was for the Crucial C300 SATA3 SSD. Yes it is TRIM supportive. It is also the fastest drive on the market at the moment. There will be faster ones coming along as with everything and in fact Crucial themselves are due to release a new version called the M4 (C400) but if you can't wait I would suggest purchasing the C300. Excellent drives and very fast.

[Kenshiro]

Hey DarkMantis,

thanx for replying again, yeah, i read the review from yesterday for the C400 series, but it will be costly I guess.  Prices will drop dramatically one day I hope, but that will be a few years from now.

My last questions and I will be happy:)

1. What about the cluster size that needs to be used?  I see mentioned 4kb, 64kb and 1024kb  - which should I pick?
2. Also, as the flash drive will hold some games, can a partition be done as per the traditional method on first instal (W7)l - or do you recommend doing it afterwards?  I want the O.S. and Games to be on different partitions...just to avoid any muck-up.

Cheers,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I ma sure that the C400 will be extremely expensive for now but I expect it will have a knock on effect with the C300 drives by bringing the prices of them down even further. It is the way of our industry. The C300 is still extremely fast when compared to magnetic disk drives.

You cna of course partition it if you so desire but of course it depends on the size of the original drive. The larger the drive the faster the write speed too, I am not sure if I mentioned that before. What I tend to do is just install the one game that is being played at the moment onto the SSD and use a large hard drive for storage etc.

The OS should pick the optimum defaults for the disk.

[Kenshiro]

Thank you Dark,

So, if I understand correctly, if I pick the 128 GB drive and partition it to let's say 48 / 80, then the speed will drop? I have quite a bunch of steam games. which I play on a daily basis. If this is the case (speed drop after partition) then I won't do it.
Sure, data like movies, pics etc will be stored on a mechanical drive.

Cheers,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

No problem. Windows 7 will handle the alignment automatically and also supports TRIM by default.

[Kenshiro]

Thank you Dark,
You have been really helpful with a noob like me, very much appreciated.

Take care,
Ken

[Dark Mantis]

Only too happy to help. If you need any more help then you know where to come. 

[Kenshiro]

Well, unfortunately I need to burst in again....as the question remains the same (thank you for changing my mind again Gigabyte )

I just saw yesterday that Gigabyte offers a GA-880GMA-USB3 with AM3+ socket.
As you know I had already decided for the 880GMA-UD2H, but the AM3+ USB3 is also compatible with the X6 apparently.

Wouldn't it make sense to get the AM3+ instead (also mATX board) and ensure a future compatibility with bulldozer (whenever it comes out) ?

Man...I'm pushed from one side to the other....so unstable with my decisions....  

Cheers,
Ken

[absic]

If you can get hold of the AM3+ version of the board then that would be perfect. Be careful though, as suppliers might still have the older versions on the shelf that they might want to get rid of.

The AM3+ Socket is backwards compatible so it will take existing AM3 processors and will allow for a future upgrade when the new AM3+ Processors come along. (possibly by June/July)