new build mobo choice help

[lemonpledge]

Im buying a mobo for a build I'm starting . I'll be using a 3770k and likely 2 video cards ( eventually ) . This will be mostly for gaming but I want enough o.c. potential to keep the system up to par for some years . It will begin as an air rig but will go wet by next summer . In terms of aesthetics I'd like to keep it mostly black as the theme will be black and oreange . That being said I know the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128569 makes sense and I'm considering it but at $399.00 usd its stretching the limits of my budget . Any and all thotts greatly appreciated

 

[CPMFW]

if the rig is mostly for gaming you could drop to a 3570k...
the msi z77 boards are very good...(gd55, gd65)
you could get the msi z77 mpower which is completely black

 

[lemonpledge]

true but Im lucky enough to have a retailer within an hour drive that I can get the 3770k for $229.00http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

 

[Bang]

Seriously have a look at the MSI Z77A-GD65. It's the current king of the sub-$200 crop and with good reason. It has 8 SATA ports and 4 of them are SATA 3, easy overclocking and has become an extrememly popular board for a very good reason: It's the best your money can buy in its price range. Our Faithful Guvnor has done a review on it.

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z77a_gd65_motherboard_review/1

The only thing is, its black and blue, not orange :|

 

[lemonpledge]

Thanx for the reply's .. Im leaning towards the mpower .. Im only a little embarrassed to admit that my choice is based mostly on aesthetics . They come in at $ 194.00 and $ 166.00 respectively .. So does the xtra $ 28.00 for the mpower buy me any noteworthy performance or features ???

 

[Bang]

The MPower Lets you use up to 3000mhz ram (if you can find it) as apposed to a max of 2800mhz on the GD65. The MPower also has four more usb 3.0 ports on the I/O panel, but the GD65 has 2 more sata ports.

I think some people would say that the MPower has better power stability, caps, etc, but it isnt listed in the product comparison. I'm going for the extra sata ports. I dont have a single usb 3.0 device yet so that isnt important to me.Im going to save the dinero and spend it on something else.

http://msi.com/service/product-comparison/mb.html and compare for yourself, I cant link it. Chooose what is right for you.

 

[lemonpledge]

Good point . cant imagine having a need for that many usb devices . Thanx for the link I'll check that out now . My budget is loosely capped at $ 250 .00 . so I'm gonna check up to that point ..