First "starter" mobo

[Locum51]

I have searched endlessly around this forum board and others to find a good starter mobo.
Is this a good mobo to start out with or should i get better?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130229
I understand the problem with the Pci e 2.0 slot being too close to the DDR locking switches but i was thinking of trying to avoid complications by getting a low profile videocard.

[Locum51]

Computer would be used for multi-tasking/gaming. Main game would probably be BattleField 2.

[Zephik]

What processor are you planning on using? Socket 775? Any reason for that, such as you have a pre-existing processor that you plan on using or do you plan on buying a new one along with a new motherboard?

[Locum51]

I'll be buying a new processor. This will kind of "bang for your buck" type of a build.

[Zephik]

Alrighty, just a second and I'll dig out the best mobo for a "best bang for buck".

What processor are you planning on? Do you need on-board graphics or are you going to supply your own graphics card? Some motherboards come with a display port and some don't, so its important to know what your planning graphics wise. It'd be a real shame to get a new motherboard and not be able to use it because you can't connect your monitor to it! lol

Are you planning on using 2 RAM sticks or 4?

[Zephik]

Also, do you need a specific size? or can your computer case accept pretty much any size motherboard? How many PCI-E x16 (graphics card slot) do you need or want?

[Locum51]

Yea, i'd be getting a graphics card rather than on board.
Probably 2 x 2gb ram sticks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206
Also thinking about that process but who knows....still alot of research to go. Haha.

[Locum51]

Case wise i'll probably go with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147073

[Locum51]

As for PCI e x16 slots, i was thinking that mobo that i listed above, as of right now i don't need somethin fancy.

[Zephik]

Well, I'd say go with any one of these boards. They're all pretty good and best yet, they're very affordable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...128356&bop=And

I'm a pretty big fan of Gigabyte. They make pretty solid boards, are usually overclockable, look nice, are affordable and are just great starter boards. You really can't go wrong with them.

I wouldn't pick one out just yet though, wait until others come along and give you their opinions as well. A lot of people around here know quite a bit more about motherboards than I do. I just know whats good/best value and whats compatible with what, but that's about it. :p (Example: I don't know whats the best chipset or which is the best for overclocking, stuff like that. The fine details basically. lol)