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Top 5 Motherboard and CPU Combos with PCI Expansion Slots

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PC builders who want to install multiple GPUs and add-on cards need to select motherboards with enough expansion slots. Many motherboards only offer two or three slots, but gaming, entertainment, and image editing computers can easily require four or five.

Peripheral Component Interconnect

The PCI standard was first released in 1992 and allowed PC builders to easily install video, audio, network, USB, and other add-on cards in their computers. With a maximum transfer rate of 533 MB/s, it quickly became commonplace in the computer world just like the USB standard beginning in 1996.
However, PCI was replaced by PCI Express, or PCIe, in 2004. Most video cards produced today use the PCIe 3.0 standard with a maximum transfer rate of 15.75 GB/s, about 30 times as fast as PCI. PCIe 4.0 cards are expected to hit the market in the next year with twice the maximum transfer rate. Most other expansion cards use the PCIe x1 standard.

Other Motherboard Standards

When shopping for a motherboard, make sure that the motherboard and CPU share a common socket type. Intel CPUs typically fit LGA 1155 or LGA 2011 sockets, and AMD CPUs typically fit AM3+ or FM2 sockets. When choosing   memory, make sure that the DDR3 speed is supported by both the motherboard and CPU to avoid running into compatibility issues.
SATA II or SATA 3.0 Gb/s slots offer reasonable transfer rates for DVD, Blu-ray, and hard disk drives, but PC builders who want to use newer solid state drives will want to upgrade to SATA III instead. With 6.0 Gb/s transfer speeds, SATA III connections are the only way to take full advantage of new SSDs
1 ASRock Z77 and Intel Core i7-3770K
The ASRock Z77 and Intel Core i7-3770K combo is designed for mid-range PCs. Three PCIe and three PCI slots provide plenty of expansion room, and the Z77 Pro4 supports up to 32 GB of dual channel DDR3 memory. Builders who need numerous hard drives will appreciate the four SATA II and four SATA III ports, which provide sufficient transfer speeds for the latest solid state drives. The Z77 Pro4 also boasts Realtek's ALC892 audio chipset, which supports 7.1 THX for crystal clear audio.
At 3.5 GHz, the Core i7-3770K quad-core CPU burns through games, video encoding, and other demanding tasks. The Core i7-3770K uses 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 8 MB of L3 cache, which is standard for the Core i7 line of CPUs. With integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, users can boot up their computers, access the Web, and perform other essential tasks without a dedicated video card, and the Core i7-3770K's TDP of 77 watts is about 20 watts better than Intel's previous generation of quad-core processors.

Features

  • LGA 1155 socket
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4
  • 1 x PCIe x1
  • 3 x PCI

2 ASUS Sabertooth 990FX Gen3 and AMD FX-8320
The ASUS Sabertooth 990FX Gen3 and AMD FX-8320 are both high-end components with considerable advantages over quad-core CPU platforms. ASUS was the first manufacturer to release an AMD motherboard with PCIe 3.0 expansion slots, allowing PC builders to install up to three GPUs for incredible processing power. With enough room for three other expansion cards, the Sabertooth 990FX Gen3 motherboard doesn't skimp on extras. PC builders can take advantage of eight SATA III ports and configure their hard drives in RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10 for extra performance or reliability. USB 3.0, eSATA, and optical ports make the Sabertooth 990FX Gen3 one of the most technically advanced motherboards on the market.
Based on the Vishera core, the FX-8320 packs eight cores onto a single CPU. Eight-core CPUs outperform quad-core processors in heavily threaded tasks such as image editing in Photoshop or updating huge documents in Microsoft Office. Most software applications can only use one or two cores at most, but computer users who can make use of eight cores should upgrade immediately for nearly double the performance.

Features

  • AM3+ socket
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4
  • 1 x PCIe x1
  • 1 x PCI

3 Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H and Intel Core i7-2600K
The Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H and Intel Core i7-2600K are a good combination for entry-level computers. The GA-Z77X-D3H features an HDMI output for use with Intel HD integrated graphics, and integrated audio, PS/2, D-sub, DVI, and USB ports allow users to connect older peripherals to their PCs. However, the GA-Z77X-D3H also has some features that make it useful in newer machines. While it only has a single PCIe 3.0 port, it has three PCI x1 ports, allowing builders to install dedicated audio processors or other expansion cards. With support for up to 32 GB of DDR3 memory, the GA-Z77X-D3H is a highly versatile motherboard that will perform superbly in many different types of computers.
The Core i7-2600K clocks in at 3.4 GHz and features 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Although it is based on the older Sandy Bridge architecture, it performs nearly as well as newer Ivy Bridge variants, and the i7-2600K's integrated HD 3000 graphics hold up well enough for basic tasks.

Features

  • LGA 1155 socket
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16
  • 2 x PCIe 2.0 x8
  • 3 x PCIe x1
  • 1 x PCI

4 MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 and AMD A10-5800K
The MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 and AMD A10-5800K combo is an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need for a dedicated graphics card. MSI's FM2-A85XA-G65 motherboard supports an impressive 64 GB of DDR3 memory, eight SATA III devices, and over a dozen other ports. Users can install up to seven expansion cards with room to spare, and the UEFI BIOS is a breeze to navigate and configure.
The AMD A10-5800K is an APU instead of a CPU, so it can perform both CPU and GPU calculations on the same chip. The quad-core 3.8 GHz CPU keeps pace with dedicated CPUs, and the integrated Radeon HD 7660D graphics allow users to play new PC games without expensive GPUs. While the A10-5800K's TDP is a little high at 100 watts, a discrete GPU will use 50 to 150 watts by itself and require extra PSU connectors to supply enough power.

Features

  • FM2 socket
  • 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16
  • 3 x PCIe x1
  • 2 x PCI

5 ASUS Sabertooth X79 and Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme

The ASUS Sabertooth X79 and Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme are designed for PC builders who are concerned only with performance. Unlike most motherboards, the Sabertooth X79 supports 64 GB of quad-channel memory for faster transfer speeds, and it has four SATA II and four SATA III ports for a mixture of storage drives.
Intel's Core i7-3970X Extreme CPU has six cores running at 3.5 GHz. The L2 cache remains unchanged at 256 KB per core, but the L3 cache has been ramped up to 15 MB, nearly twice the standard size. Because the Core i7-3970X Extreme has a TDP of 150 watts, PC builders will want to install liquid cooling or an improved heatsink and fan to keep the processor cool.

Features

  • LGA 2011 socket
  • 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0 x8
  • 2 x PCIe x1
  • 1 x PCI

Included Parts

Most motherboard and CPU combos typically include extra components that PC builders require to get their computers up and running. Motherboards usually come with SATA cables so that users can hook up their optical and storage drives. SLI and CrossFireX connectors often come with motherboards sporting two or more PCIe x16 slots.
Because CPUs will overheat without some type of cooler, they usually come packaged with heatsink and fan units. There are exceptions to this rule for example, the Core i7-3970X does not come bundled with a heatsink and fan by default. Specific combos might include an aftermarket cooler, but PC builders will have to purchase a separate cooling device to keep their CPUs from overheating if one is not included.

How to Find Motherboard and CPU Combos with PCI Expansion Slots on eBay

To shop for motherboard and CPU combos on eBay, locate specific processors or motherboards by using the search field at the top of any screen, and select Motherboard & CPU Combos on the left-hand side of the screen to find bundles. Browse eBay's entire selection of motherboard and CPU combos by navigating to the homepage, mousing over Electronics near the top, and opening up Computers, Tablets & Networking. Select Components and Parts, and click on Motherboard & CPU Combos. For more information about specific combos, use the "Ask a question" box near the bottom of every product page.

Conclusion

Motherboards and CPU combos with PCI expansion slots give PC builders the versatility to improve their computers with add-on cards. While Intel and AMD are integrating many features directly into the motherboard and CPU, most PC builders continue to use add-on cards like GPUs. These combos offer excellent customization options without sacrificing any performance.
 
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