Need help with a build- motherboard recommendation

[blink]

Hi all,  I'm building a computer for a client; he generally surfs the net, checks his stocks, does a little Office, and that's about it.  So I want to use a Gigabyte motherboard, probably an i5 CPU, 4 to 8 gigs of memory-  memory is really cheap so I'll probably do 8, and Windows 7, probably 64 bit since I think it's a bit more robust, a burner and a WD Caviar Black 640gigs Sata hard drive, I'm not sure about a graphics card since I generally deal with something more suitable for graphics.  Any recommendations for a motherboard that would work with this type of build or anything you would change concerning some of the components I sighted?  Thanks...

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Well from what you have said I would use one of the motherboards that allows the full use of the on-chip graphics capability. This will help keep the price down and keep things simple. I don't like to actually recommend a board but check out the Z68 motherboards with the graphics option.

[Aussie Allan]

  Good advise from DM

  Also......"surfs the net, checks his stocks, does a little Office, and that's about it."..... can be met with 4 gig of ram......in fact 4 gig is overkill

  as is the Z68 but the on-board graphics does make it simple and probably cost effective.... go the 64 bit route as security is better and support will have a longer life......anything from Home Premium and up......as the build will not be power hungry.....use quality components.........a phone call from a friend in 10 months time with a bustered PSU is not a good phone call for either of you

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I am in total agreement there. Good quality components are a must and when you are talking about smaller devices the cost increase is negligable. I did think the memory was a bit of overkill myself but as was said earlier it is very cheap at the moment.

[absic]

Hi blink,

From what you're saying then I think the whole Intel rig is overkill and you would probably do better and at less cost if you considered an AMD based system. Your clients money will go further and it will probably be easier and cheaper to upgrade in the future than an Intel system.

Just a thought.....! 

[Grozdan]

Well it does depend on what he prefers but I would also consider AMD since this isn't a gaming rig. AMD AM3+ motherboard with integrated graphics would cost less than Intel based Z68 and it has, for now, longer future since BDs aren't out yet. 4GB of ram are more than enough but it's very cheap, as we all know, then why not?!

If you do choose Intel, then you don't need anything stronger than I3 but would recommend Z68 motherboard!

I would even consider buying one of the cheaper SSDs because it would fit nicely in that kind of work (OS related).

Win7 64bit by all means because 32bit OS can't recognize more than 3GB of ram

[blink]

Thank you all for the recommendations.  How good is the graphics on the motherboards that include them?  I'll probably get him a new 20" monitor that has 1680x1050 resolution so the graphics on the motherboard has to be good enough to do that.  And I'm really an Intel guy, so I don't think I would go with AMD, no offense to anyone.   

[Aussie Allan]

Thank you all for the recommendations.  How good is the graphics on the motherboards that include them?  I'll probably get him a new 20" monitor that has 1680x1050 resolution so the graphics on the motherboard has to be good enough to do that.  And I'm really an Intel guy, so I don't think I would go with AMD, no offense to anyone.    

  Now there's a Intelligent sort of guy.......some of the Giga boards will get up to 2560x1600......it's just going to be dictated by cost.....I would suggest going through the Gigabyte support site and just make a list of boards that fit the bill including Max on-board supported resolution ..........list them from 1 to x..........then hit the net for pricing.........if you ever get into a problem with the onboard graphics........a $40-$50 graphics card will get you out of Jail

 i3 or i5 will be plenty for surfing and "Word"

  Aussie Allan