Which budget motherboard?

[Rewdoalb]

I am looking for a cheap mobo for an Intel CPU. No overclocking.

These are the two that I'm looking at:
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6813128337

and Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6813128078

I already own the DS3L in one of my own boxes, so I know a pretty good bit about that board. My questions are mostly pertaining to the G31 board, which is a nice $25 cheaper (this is a low-budget build, and getting a cheaper mobo will allow more RAM or a faster CPU if not both.)

What are any strong reasons that I should or should not go for the cheaper board?

Here's a couple potential cons that I know of, and my thoughts.

1. Only 2 RAM slots.
We can deal with this okay

2. Not as many PCI-express x1 or PCI slots
Again, that's okay

3. micro-ATX
should that be a problem? We're hoping for an Antec Solo if the prices drop back down.

4. Integrated graphics
planning to put an 8600GT or maybe 9600GT in, can you still do that on a G31-based board?

Now some things I'm not as sure about:
Is the general quality of the G31 board as good as the DS3L? I've heard that capacitor quality is important in motherboards, how do these two stack up?

Thanks for any advice!
-Rewdoalb

[merlin]

General quality? Definitely not as good as the DS3L. You're not getting all solid caps and the vrm is probably cheaper. It's a you get what you pay for thing. Also you're getting a budget intel chipset with a very budget southbridge(ICH7). But in general, it'll do exactly what you need if you don't OC.

[jessekopelman]

4. Integrated graphics
planning to put an 8600GT or maybe 9600GT in, can you still do that on a G31-based board?

Sure, the integrated graphics can be disabled in BIOS.

[Plekto]

The $89 one has more solid caps and better features. A MB is like the engine in a kit car. It's not wise to go super cheap.