Reddit mentions of MSI Performance Gaming Intel Coffee Lake B360 LGA 1151 DDR4 Onboard Graphics CFX ATX Motherboard (B360 Gaming Plus)

I've heard from other people that motherboards are a crucial part of your build that you don't wanna cheap out on, but at the same time comparing two or three models people also say "just pick the one with the expansion slots you'll need". So what is the truth here? Does anything other that PCIe/RAM slots matter?

In my case I was comparing MSI B360M Pro VDH(one of the cheapest) and MSI B360 Gaming Plus(one of the more premium)

They have different audio codecs and people say you won't notice a difference. One has Intel LAN, the other Realtek LAN, and people say there's no difference. Soo...?

edit: thank you all for the answers

The MSI B360 Gaming is the next least expensive option. Only 1 left in stock according to Amazon though...

One thing I'm noticing is the non-modular PSU. I would look at getting something that is fully modular, or even semi-modular. It's just easier to work with and I think easier to mantain better cord management.

For the CPU, I would take a look at the 9400 not the 9400F. As far as I can tell, at least in the states, the 9400 is the same price, it's just slightly faster and a bit newer.

The SSD - the 750 Evo seems more expensive than what it's worth. I would take a look at an NVMe drive like the Intel 660p. For 1TB of space, your getting something that is much MUCH faster and, at least in the states, is only $4 more expensive:
Intel SSD 660p Series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GCL6BR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_85L2CbQP2JY6Y

Then, this way, if you get the faster Intel SSD, you can ditch the HDD, because you'll have 1TB as a boot drive and storage, most likely saving another $50 as well.

EDIT: Also, it seems like the case you're looking at is a full-ATX (correct me if I'm wrong) so then why are you going for a mATX board? You could get something a bit faster, better with cooling, and probably cheaper if you got a full-sized board like this one:
MSI Performance Gaming B360 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_agM2CbBWA8CJP

Same price in the USA as the board you've chosen.

Edit 2: Also, I can't find the PSU anywhere come to think of it. Don't buy a used PSU, that is one of the general no-nos, because those things deteriorate over time, what you think is a 500W is possibly only 350W to 400W. Stick with EVGA or Corsair even SeaSonic.

How’s this motherboard look? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CBKQ75V/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525721332&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=intel+b360+motherboard&dpPl=1&dpID=51nBaqKF4sL&ref=plSrch

Any suggestions for M-ATX board & RAM? RAM is ridiculously expensive these days. (Something like https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B075GN9YC4/?tag=pcp0f-20 or https://www.amazon.ca/MSI-B360-GAMING-PLUS-Motherboard/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525490580&sr=8-3&keywords=B360&dpID=51nBaqKF4sL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch or https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B077Y5JBQ5/?tag=pcp0f-20??)


Any ideas on if Cooler Master MasterBox Lite 5 RGB ATX Mid-Tower is better or the NZXT s340?

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Performance-B360-Graphics-Motherboard/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Msi+1155+atx&qid=1574805386&sr=8-2
this is a good full size one and compatible, but why would you replace the motherboard?

Msi gaming plus b360
This one : MSI B360 Gaming Plus ATX Intel Coffee Lake LGA 1151 Motherboard https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BcoNDbQ5DX7SH

Is https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Performance-B360-Graphics-Motherboard/dp/B07CBKQ75V?th=1 better than https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BQB1CMX/ ? Same price

>https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Performance-B360-Graphics-Motherboard/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=b360+gaming+pro&qid=1556793708&s=gateway&sr=8-4 #
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>this is the first one i pulled off amazon, its hard getting prices off NZ amazon, but you just chose an expensive board.
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>This is the same price as the one you are choosing, has better reviews, is full sized and from a more reputable brand.

>EDIT: Also, it seems like the case you're looking at is a full-ATX (correct me if I'm wrong) so then why are you going for a mATX board? You could get something a bit faster, better with cooling, and probably cheaper if you got a full-sized board like this one: MSI Performance Gaming B360 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_i\_agM2CbBWA8CJP
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>Same price in the USA as the board you've chosen.

I've checked out some of the local sellers but can't seem to find this at the same price range (if at all from a reputable seller).

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A friend of mine told me to go with the GIGABYTE B360M Aorus Gaming 3 but that's a bit pricier than my comfortable budget and (correct me if I'm wrong) comes with extras that I don't really need with this build. I was thinking maybe an MSI B360M PRO‑VH as an alternative?

Go with the i5 and 1060

i would get a 1080p 144hz monitor way before i would buy a 1440p at 60hz

get a nvme 240gb 970 evo for boot and a 1tb 860 for space if you can afford to.

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https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Performance-B360-Graphics-Motherboard/dp/B07CBKQ75V/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543396293&sr=1-10&keywords=LGA+1151

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great motherboard and yea you dont want to get an awfully cheap one but there is no reason to get a very expensive one. Also you must match your cpu socket type to your motherboards and make sure that you get the correct ram to go with it this one supports DDR4 Memory, up to 2666MHz

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