Torn between Gigabyte UD3H and UD5H

[ERiC_DrAyViN]

From what I read online the ud5h just has better onboard audio and better connectivity like wireless/bluetooth etc...

for extra money, you also get more 6gbps SATA connectors, Firewire, and a second Gigabit ethernet port. (These are no use to me) As well as the 'ostensibly' better audio codec.

I'm pretty sure i'll be going Ivy i5 3570K and only plan on doing a marginal OC but I think I'll get a aftermrket cooler to be safe and sell the stock.

The only thing I'm interested in is the audio. But I would easily pick up a Creative Soundblaster card and this would make the ud3h's inferior audio irrelevant if you ask me.

I'm just thinking do they both support PCI 3.0 or just the UD5H? This may be use down the line but not sure.

The difference is about $50 which to me is noticable.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/com...pids=4139,4153

[Tinbuk3]

Sounds to me you got it figured out, as for audio I don't think you will notice any difference really even in gaming.
I say go with your gut on this.

[ERiC_DrAyViN]

Yup. I'm just thinking with that 50 bucks difference I could pick up a good audio card anyway. But then the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind. I've been shortchanged in things before by trying to be a scrooge.

Decision, decision.....

[Tinbuk3]

You may want to search both sound chips then and see who's having issues and who's happy etc.
unless you want to hook up more hardware to it the onboard will be fine I garowntee.
Use the exrta for the mem or a razer mouse.

[philomath]

The UD5H is a better board in more than a few ways. The south end is a lot better, and faster in many peripheral setups, as well. Especially if you want to upgrade it later with faster or wider band peripherals. The sound is way better (for on board sound that is). No on board sound chip can really compare to a comparable slot card. It just never happens, its a dedicated card. Not a jack of all trades so to speak.

[ERiC_DrAyViN]

Hi, philomath.

Thanks for the feedback. The audio is really attracting me, but yes there seems to be a lot about this card people like. I suppose the people who like the audio are not audiophiles as us audiophiles would just go and buy a pci card. They just use the mobo output which is something I didn't do on my last build. I'm fact I've never put my headphone jack into my motherboard not even once lol.

[nerocon]

If your going to buy a high end video card, the PCI Express 3.0 is very relevant today. The 690, and 7990 are both taking advantage of that higher bandwidth bus. AMD went for more memory but a lower clock speed, while Nvidia went the higher clock, but less memory. They are pretty much even overall, but the 690 pulls ahead in most benchmarks. The 7990 is also very power hungry compared.

[moefugger]

If it is the audio what are you using for speakers?
Speakers and placement make more of a difference in most cases with modern reasonably good audio.
This puter is the first I have built without an audio card.
I have a cheap Sound Blaster 5.1 set of speakers and it sounds great.
Then I am not an audiophile.


Cooler Master HAF 922 Mid Tower Case
Ultra LSP750 750W Power Supply
CoolIT ECO-120 Liquid CPU Cooler Unit
M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 motherboard
R6850 Cyclone 1GD5 Power Edition/OC
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Processor

[ERiC_DrAyViN]

I have 2 apple speakers and 2 gateway 2000 speakers but I tend to use my Sony headphones so I don't annoy people. But speakers are definitely what I would like and multi-channel would be great. I was thinking of getting some for xmas that's why I wanted to know how good the mobo audio output is.

[Tinbuk3]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121050


This is what I use, it didn't come with a toss link so if you decide to go with it pick up at least a 9ft cable.