Currently have the ASROCK A55M-HVS Mini ATX mobo with AMD A8-3870K APU OC'd to 3.5GHz in my server. This A8 is a 4 core APU, best thing about it is the integrated graphics, far better/faster than the intel HD graphics. I don't know about better, but it's definitely faster... (gaming wise).
This current mobo supports only Sata II, no built in USB 3.0 support. I just solved the USB 3.0 support with an add in card that seems to work fantastic (haven't used that word in awhile, needed to throw it out). However, adding this card used the only PCIe x1 slot available, leaving only a PCIe x16 slot and a PCI slot (which I don't see ever using).
I am considering changing the motherboard out to the ASRock Z77 Extreme3 and getting an Intel I3-3240 CPU. The i3 runs at 3.4 GHz, I would get 2 Sata III ports, I would gain Native USB 3 support front and rear which would free up a PCIe x1 slot and also leave me with three PCIe x16 (two at 3.0 and one at 2.0). I'm not a rocket scientist, but my memory is PC1600, although I BELIEVE my current setup only allows for 1333 (but I could be wrong here, it's been awhile).
My OS is on a SSD, so I believe I would gain some speed with my OS there.
Passmark shows this intel CPU with a score of 4335 vs the A8-3750K @ 3689, 55W vs 100W respectively. 2 core plus HT vs 4 core as well.
I would appreciate any thoughts on the matter, worth upgrading or not?
One other question would be, does anyone know how WHS2011 would work with the new stuff, Z87 chipset/1150 CPU's. I would consider this if the price is right, but wasn't sure about compatibility here.