I have recently had to restart the process of choosing a Motherboard, which... when its the third time you are doing it... feels like much more of a chore than it was the first time. For anyone who has done this recently, or is in the middle of the same process, or you just know about Motherboards... This Question is for you.
In Short:
I have an Antec 900 Case. I am trying to finish / complete the computer build. The graphics card ( GTX550TI ) is a double wide, that actually takes up closer to 3 slots on the current motherboard, ASUS P8P67 LE R3 1155 ATX. I have the Intel core i5 1155 processor for the current board already. The video card, 1 slot, its heat sink and fan, 2 slots. The system I am trying to build will have good graphics with the 1GB card, but I don't think I will need more than the current video card, and almost 100% certain no second vid card will be needed. What I'm most interested in is being able to access and organize LARGE amounts of Data. The system will have 1SSD drive as the boot drive. 1SSD for files. Then... 3 WD Green 3TB internal drives ( to be setup in a RAID 5 config). In addition to that, will probably install 2-3 more smaller WD drives. Need at least 2x PCI Express slots, 1 for media card reader for the front, and 1 for Sound Blaster Live. Lastly, this comp will be running Win7.
SO.... Does anyone know of a good Motherboard to fit what I'm doing. Below, I'm going to try and list the same information, in maybe a slightly easier to work with format. Trying to put each aspect in ascending order of importance...
I am looking for a Motherboard that:
IS... between $150 and $300. Obviously less expensive is better, if it also matches the following.
HAS.. 4x 6GB SATA connections. (More than 4 is also a plus)
HAS.. 4x 3GB SATA connections. (More than 2 is also a plus)
HAS.. 2x PCI Express Slots not covered by a double wide Video Card.
HAS.. On-board RAID configuration, 0,1,5 min.
HAS.. Multiple USB 3.0 connection.
HAS.. Good Reviews / High Reviews.
Any questions, or additional information that I can provide, please let me know. I will try to check back on this post, in about 3 hours. 8pm EST.
Thanks for everyone's help.
ASRock Z77 OC Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157328
It even has a USB 3.0 header so you can have USB 3.0 in the front (assuming your case has it, or you want to add it).
EDIT: Just read that is an Extended ATX, which I'm not sure will fit into your case. Sorry about that.