I wanna blow some money on a new MOBO

[dragonbat13]

Ok I built a new Gaming rig: Here is as much hardware detail as I can think of:

Corsair C70 (In all its ammo can looking glory, and yea its cool looking:twisted.
3770K, Water cooled with a H100i Corsair closed loop system.
256G SSD Samsung 840
EVGA GTX 670 FTW, stock EVGA Cooler, Water cooling in the future.
FSP 550 Watt Platinum PSU
1T HHD

I plan on doing some watercooling on an SLI setup with a matching gtx 670 later down the road. I have room on the bottom of the case for another 240MM radiator. Along with that I have room for one more 120MM radiator on the back. This would leave the bottom HDD cage vent and the window vent. So thats at least five case fans.

Ok so I built the computer with a P8Z68 MOBO because that is what I had on hand, and I decided to get a Z77 board later down the road. I dont really need the Z77 board, but I want to stuff as many MOBO features as I can into this large case.

I may do some overclocking later, but not necessarly the extreme limit of every chip is needed. So while the board needs to have OC ability, it doesnt necessarly need to be the best.

It does need to be feature rich. I wouldnt mind having the thunderbolt option. I would like as many controllable chassis fan connections as possible. I want to use an Extended ATX Gaming type motherboard but it doesnt need to be more than dual SLI capable. I do want WIFI on the board.

One board I have been looking at is the ROG Maximus series from ASUS. And that is the type of Motherboards I want to feature.

My budget is 400 USD. And it needs to be from a very reliable manufacture with good customer support.

So what boards should I be looking at?

Thanks

 

[Charlie98]

Corsair C70 (In all its ammo can looking glory, and yea its cool looking).

The C70 can is way sweet! Too bad it's so freaking BIG!!! Maybe one sized like a .30 ammo can instead of a 20mm ammo can...

Can't help you with the mobo... but $400 is way overkill for a suitable mobo unless you are just looking for bling.

 

[dragonbat13]

Oh its gotta have the bling!!

Keep in mind, I dont normally build computers with this frame of mind. So for me this is a project of excess.

Most of my builds are small form factor. The last one was cobbled together out of some carefully chosen budget parts and stuffed into a HP Slimline case. My mother loves it.

But this is the first time I have built up a full blown, eyecandy galore computer. Its actually quite a fun build when you have so much room with the big case.

 

[Ketchup]

I work with a guy who built a computer with "bling" and used one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131821

Looked really good.

 

[mango123]

I would personally stay away from that thermal armor crap... I hear that it keeps the NB and other stuff super hot. FWIH those ROG's are pretty decent.

But one thing I learned the hard way, is you would a motherboard with decent phase design. You would think that alot of these 200 dollar mobos have good phase design, but a lot of them are 4+1 design which will kind of suck for overclocking.

My advice, is that you get something with good phase design, pref 6+2 (i think?) then just replace the heatsinks with some crazy looking ones. There's your bling.

 

[red454]

I have the Maximus V Formula and love it. You might take a look at them...

 

[Sleepingforest]

Not to burst your bubble, but the Corsair C70 doesn't support E-ATX.

Why don't you go with some custom water cooling instead? It's a better use of your $400 if you ask me; even a $140 SLI capable motherboard (like the Asrock Extreme4 or the P8Z77-V LK) will look cool with some custom tubing and a bit of LED bling and/or water dye.

Asus does have the best built-in fan control (but also the highest RMA rates), but if you're looking for something really good, you might want to invest in an actual fan controller that goes into the 5.25" drive bay. The Bitfenix Hydra Pro or Recon controllers are fairly low cost options with five channels (the Hydro Pro uses sliders, while the Recon has a touchscreen).

Wifi is literally $20 for a PCI card, and you can put on some high gain antennae for not much more, rendering higher cost boards like the P8Z77-V and higher a pretty bad cost proposition. You may want to just go with Ethernet for gaming; it's much more reliable and has less latency. If you don't have that yet, that's a good part of your $400 budget going to a better use than "bling."

 

[dragonbat13]

Well, The thing is, that I dont want to build on the computer anymore with the board thats in it. I just used it in place of a different one. The current one is actually for a future HTPC build. So I would hate to install all that water cooling just to have to take it out later. And I dont want to build the cooling system until I get the SLI installed.

 

[Sleepingforest]

There are still several points that remain unaddressed that you should really think about:

• The Corsair C70 does not support EATX--only ATX.
• WiFi is a cheap $10 addon--even a basic SLI capable board plus a WiFi PCI card costs less than Asus boards with included Wifi.
• You'll probably want Ethernet for gaming anyway over WiFi. WiFi has too many latency and reliability problems compared to Ethernet.
• For good fan control, you'll want a real fan controller like the Bitfenix Hydra Pro or Recon rather than software based.
• You'll need a larger PSU for SLI.
• SLI typically isn't worth it anyway, as it costs too much and has too many problems working, unless you're using 3+ monitors at once.

I'd get something like this $135 (10% off right now!) Biostar--it's got USB 3.0 headers, a good set of power phases for overclocking, allows for SLI, and has 2 PCI slots for expansion (WiFi, Thunderbolt if you want it later).

 

[crashtech]

Misread OP, sorry...........................

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Custom water-cooling isn't worth it these days. i7 920 X58 Chipset = yeah but now uh uhh

Even the GPUs you are talking about aren't worth custom h20 looping. GPUs are running cooler these days.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Custom water-cooling isn't worth it these days. i7 920 X58 Chipset = yeah but now uh uhh

Even the GPUs you are talking about aren't worth custom h20 looping. GPUs are running cooler these days.

Well, custom water cooling will allow for a cooler and quieter setup--it's just very cost ineffective. If he has the money and wants it (maybe for the "bling" factor also) then he should. It's a better use of money than a Asus ROG board for the average person.

 

[dawp]

I'm satisfied with my p8z77 v, has everything I need/want. the GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H was also one I was looking at.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Well, custom water cooling will allow for a cooler and quieter setup--it's just very cost ineffective. If he has the money and wants it (maybe for the "bling" factor also) then he should. It's a better use of money than a Asus ROG board for the average person.

In my personal experience the Swiftec MCP 355 pump I used was annoyingly audible. I think it only cut off ~ 5*c from each core, and the cost was around 350$ when I was done.

If the OP does do a custom loop, he ought to use distilled water with a piece of silver in the loop to kill or detour algae build up.

 

[amerifax]

Every one told me that the Asus P8Z77-V was an over kill. It list for 450 but I bought for $250 apx at Newegg.

But after I bought it I went to YouTube to find more answers. I agree there is no reason to spend money. But after spending an afternoon reading about the reviews and features... I was lucky. I buy a new board about ever 5 years. This one is the most stellar board I have purchased. The only thing I regret it can't drive me to work.

If you spend some time and research this board you will own one.
Bob

 

[Sleepingforest]

Well... I hate to say this Amerifax, but your "$500" board is actually selling for only $200 on Newegg--plus, it's SATA connectors and USB ports will go out of date at the same time as my $130AR (only $100 after selling the 2x4GB RAM that came with it free) board. It won't last any longer than mine either--all you really got was a fancy WiFi dongle, which is only $10-15 off Amazon or Newegg.

There is no reason to overspend on motherboards.

 

[Eureka]

Talk about blingy motherboards..

Go water cooling if you want to make it look nice. It's very functional, and you can get UV reactive components.

 

[bleucharm28]

I personally think this board for $80.00 is a really sweet deal. I got one myself so far pretty stable. But if money is no object, i'd get Asus Maximus IV Extreme.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...271&CatId=6976

 

[Sleepingforest]

That is a fantastic deal! I'm linking to it in Hot Deals.

 

[Goros]

Every one told me that the Asus P8Z77-V was an over kill. It list for 450 but I bought for $250 apx at Newegg.

But after I bought it I went to YouTube to find more answers. I agree there is no reason to spend money. But after spending an afternoon reading about the reviews and features... I was lucky. I buy a new board about ever 5 years. This one is the most stellar board I have purchased. The only thing I regret it can't drive me to work.

If you spend some time and research this board you will own one.
Bob

Unless you buy the P8Z77-WS instead. Heh.

 

[dragonbat13]

Thanks for all the replys.

I found that the Formula V will fit in the C70 case even though it doesnt officially support ExtATX. It has a little overhang but not enough to really cause problems.

I am also looking at the P8z77V-Deluxe and the -Thunderbolt. The thunderbolt gives up a few features to the Deluxe. But the Deluxe gives up thunderbolt. THe WS is marked discontinued on newegg, but I dont know if ASUS actually discontinued it or what.

 

[Sleepingforest]

What do these boards get you over the Asus P8Z77V-LK or the Biostar TZ77EX3 that's been linked to? Thunderbolt? When hardly any peripherals can use it, and cost 100% more than a USB3.0 version? An mSATA drive, which is worth at most $70? Wifi? You can get a generic reciever for $10 and get better antannae for another $10. Fan control? A far better hardware fan controller is only $35. The mSATA, WiFi, and fan control is only $120 together--still less than a $300 motherboard. Extra PCIe lanes? for only 5% more frames, spending 200% more is stupid. Bragging rights? These boards will be out of date and have no upgrade path in six months.

The money you save here could be the dividing point between excellent radiators and UV reactive compnents, and crappy-not so great radiators that's no better tban air cooling.

 

[red454]

What do these boards get you over the Asus P8Z77V-LK or the Biostar TZ77EX3 that's been linked to? Thunderbolt? When hardly any peripherals can use it, and cost 100% more than a USB3.0 version? An mSATA drive, which is worth at most $70? Wifi? You can get a generic reciever for $10 and get better antannae for another $10. Fan control? A far better hardware fan controller is only $35. The mSATA, WiFi, and fan control is only $120 together--still less than a $300 motherboard. Extra PCIe lanes? for only 5% more frames, spending 200% more is stupid. Bragging rights? These boards will be out of date and have no upgrade path in six months.

The money you save here could be the dividing point between excellent radiators and UV reactive compnents, and crappy-not so great radiators that's no better tban air cooling.

True - same thing with cars - why do people spend $40-$50-$60K + when a $20K car will still get you there, and these days even $20K cars have some nice features. Why? You said it - mostly bragging rights. And of course, some people (myself included) like overkill.

I am a sucker for marketing too - I know deep down that my fancy, expensive ROG gaming motherboard won't make a squat of different at making me any better at games. I still suck at BF3. But by golly I can't blame the motherboard...

 

[dragonbat13]

The DELUXE IS 279, THE L-VK 149. The deluxe supports higher overclocking RAM.

These are the things that I found that the Deluxe supports that the V LK doesnt.

GRAPHICS
Deluxe
Integrated Graphics Processor
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
- Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
Supports Intel® HD Graphics, InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™

-V LK
Integrated Graphics Processor
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB/DisplayPort ports
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
- Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
- Supports RGB with max. resolution 2048 x 1536 @ 75 Hz
- Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
Maximum shared memory of 1696 MB
Supports Intel® HD Graphics


SLOTS
The -V LK drops two PCIe 2.0x1 for two for PCIe

SATA Ports
THe Delux has the standard z77 sata ports, plus Marvell PCIe 9128 controller for two more
SATA 6, and the ASMedia PCIe controller with two eSATA 6 ports.

The -V LK doesnt have eSATA at all, and only supports the Z77 chipset SATA ports.


LAN
Deluxe
Intel® 82579V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Realtek® 8111F, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance
Intel® LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)

-V LK
Realtek® 8111F, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)

WIRELESS
Deluxe has the wireless, supports 2.4 and 5.0, and Bluetooth.
-V LK does not support wireless.

AUDIO Features
DELUXE
Realtek® ALC898 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
- Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
- Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection
- DTS Ultra PC II
- DTS Connect
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel

-V LK
Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking

USB
Deluxe
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : *7
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)
Intel® Z77 chipset : *7
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® Z77 chipset :
8 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board)

-V LK
Intel® Z77 chipset : *6
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® Z77 chipset :
10 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 8 at mid-board)
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : *6
2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)

POWER Phasing
DELUXE
- Industry leading Digital 20 Phase Power Design
(16 -phase for CPU, 4 -phase for iGPU)
- Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
- CPU Power Utility
- DRAM Power Utility

-V LK
- Industry leading 4 + 1 + 1 Phase Power Design
- ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility




Neither one supports Thunderbolt, but I would give that up for the more features of the DELUXE.

 

[red454]

Really, most of the differences won't be noticed unless you are hardcore overclocking and gaming or pushing for benchmarks. Normal daily usage - I doubt you could tell one from the other.

Of course, if you like the bells and whistles, then you will be happier with the DELUXE.

I wouldn't worry about Thunderbolt - USB 3.0 is screamin' fast and works with all your 'old' USB 2.0 stuff.