Mobo Advice for a new build

[Stilgar73]

So I'm currently working on spec'ing out a new computer. I'm building it for a blend of image processing work in Matlab, IDL, Python and C++ as well as gaming. I'm in the DC area, and will be sourcing the parts from Newegg, Microcenter and Amazon. Here are the parts I currently have picked out, but I've been sort of stuck on the motherboard.

CPU - Intel Core i7-3770k
http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 evo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...er%20212%20evo

Memory - G.Skill Ripjaws x 16gb (2x8gb) DDR3-1600 CAS9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231568

SSD - Samsung 840 Pro 256gb (purchased)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147193

HDD - 4x Western Digital Black 1tb 7200rpm (currently own)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533

GPU - EVGA GTX 670 FTW Signature 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130843

PSU - Corsair AX860i (purchased)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...rsair%20ax860i

Case - Fractal Design Define R4
http://www.microcenter.com/product/406710/Define_R4_Mid_Tower_ATX_Computer_Case_-_Black_Pearl


I'd prefer to keep with Asus, Gigabyte and ASrock with respect to the motherboard. I've previously had a lot of success with Asus motherboards, so they would be my preference. Based on research in the last few weeks I think the leading contenders are

Asus p8z77-v Deluxe
Asus p8z77-v Pro
Asus Maximus V Formula
Gigabyte GA-Z77x-UD5H
Gigabyte GA-Z77x UP5 TH
ASrock OC Formula

I'm looking for a rock solid board with the ability to achieve modest overclocking. (I haven't overclocked in quite some years as I've been working on my universities facilities which I no longer have access to) Additionally I've got a relatively long refresh cycle in the ball park of 3-4 years per build, so being well built, stable and well supported by the company is of particular importance for me.

I'd prefer to spend less then $300 on the motherboard, but I'm always open to suggestions for cheaper and equally good options. If anyone can give me some kind of direction, I'd really appreciate the help.

 

[Sleepingforest]

So I'm currently working on spec'ing out a new computer. I'm building it for a blend of image processing work in Matlab, IDL, Python and C++ as well as gaming. I'm in the DC area, and will be sourcing the parts from Newegg, Microcenter and Amazon. Here are the parts I currently have picked out, but I've been sort of stuck on the motherboard.

I'd prefer to keep with Asus, Gigabyte and ASrock with respect to the motherboard. I've previously had a lot of success with Asus motherboards, so they would be my preference. Based on research in the last few weeks I think the leading contenders are

Asus p8z77-v Deluxe
Asus p8z77-v Pro
Asus Maximus V Formula
Gigabyte GA-Z77x-UD5H
Gigabyte GA-Z77x UP5 TH
ASrock OC Formula

I'm looking for a rock solid board with the ability to achieve modest overclocking. (I haven't overclocked in quite some years as I've been working on my universities facilities which I no longer have access to) Additionally I've got a relatively long refresh cycle in the ball park of 3-4 years per build, so being well built, stable and well supported by the company is of particular importance for me.

I'd prefer to spend less then $300 on the motherboard, but I'm always open to suggestions for cheaper and equally good options. If anyone can give me some kind of direction, I'd really appreciate the help.

You do not need to spend more than $150 on a motherboard for light overclocking. Let me repeat myself, just so it sinks in properly: you do not need to spend more than $150 on a motherboard. Even a $90 motherboard has enough power phases to sustain light overclocks; these days, it's more about having adequate cooling (yours is good enough). You spend more on motherboards if they have features you want.

You will probably be satisfied with either the $90 ($80 AR) Pro3, the $120 Asrock Performance, or the $135 Asrock Extreme4.

 

[DSF]

You do not need to spend more than $150 on a motherboard for light overclocking. Let me repeat myself, just so it sinks in properly: you do not need to spend more than $150 on a motherboard. Even a $90 motherboard has enough power phases to sustain light overclocks; these days, it's more about having adequate cooling (yours is good enough). You spend more on motherboards if they have features you want.

You will probably be satisfied with either the $90 ($80 AR) Pro3, the $120 Asrock Performance, or the $135 Asrock Extreme4.

Posting just to second this and add a slight bit of detail.

I don't want to put words in Sleepingforest's mouth, but I'm 99% sure he'll agree with this: When he says you buy an expensive motherboard for the features you need, that doesn't mean extra power phases, gimmicks like "Thermal Armor", pretty colors you won't see inside the case, etc.

What it means is that you just need to make sure the motherboard provides the HDD ports, expansion slots and I/O ports you need. For me an AsRock Pro3 works great because I never have more than 2 HDDs in a system. Other people may need a higher end board for their 8 HDD or triple-GPU setup.

 

[Stilgar73]

I appreciate the assistance and firm position that you have sleepingforest. I tried to build a configuration where I was budgeting equally between components, but clearly I missed a beat with regards to the motherboards. I did look at the Asrock Extreme4 but passed over it. Are there any boards from Gigabyte or Asus that are below $150 that you would recommend? Boards such as the Asus P8Z77-v LK or a Gigabyte z77x-UD3H? I want to cultivate as many options as I can before making a selection.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Both of those boards (the PZ77V-LK and Z77X-UD3H) are very reasonable if you can get then around $140. All three boards are good performers with roughly equal feature sets. It depends, ultimately, on price. Pick the board out of those three that is lowest priced.

And yes, DSF is correct. Do not buy a board based on gimmicks like "heat shields" or rainbows painted on.

 

[mfenn]

Agree completely with Sleepingforest and DSF.

A couple other parts that stick out at me as being unnecessarily expensive are the PSU and GPU.
- PSU: You do not need to spend $230 to get a good power supply, and 860W is somewhere between three to four times as much power as the machine as spec'ed will ever draw. You can get an excellent power supply like the Seasonic SSR-550RM for $86.
- GPU: The GTX 670 is a fine GPU, but $400 is too much to be spending on the 2GB model. This $330 AR PNY model will perform the same after you drag a couple sliders to the right (i.e. overclock).

 

[Sleepingforest]

Agree completely with Sleepingforest and DSF.

A couple other parts that stick out at me as being unnecessarily expensive are the PSU and GPU.
- PSU: You do not need to spend $230 to get a good power supply, and 860W is somewhere between three to four times as much power as the machine as spec'ed will ever draw. You can get an excellent power supply like the Seasonic SSR-550RM for $86.
- GPU: The GTX 670 is a fine GPU, but $400 is too much to be spending on the 2GB model. This $330 AR PNY model will perform the same after you drag a couple sliders to the right (i.e. overclock).

On the PSU side, I'd go with the Rosewill Hive-550W. It's modular, 80 Plus Bronze certified, and very inexpensive, at only $50 AR. I know it's a pain to return items, but a savings of $150 or more is definitely worth it.

Additionally, if you're getting a windowed product (and it looks like you are), please do your best to make sure the colors match. This one's red parts (GPU, cooler, and mobo) in a white case.

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Performance ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($136.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1226.90
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-20 22:41 EST-0500)

 

[Torn Mind]

Haha, I live in the DC area too. Got my G550 from that Micro Center!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=
CX600 is 40 bucks after rebate. I guess it's a bit too late though, since your PSU is already purchased. A single card system doesn't need more than 600 watts.

If you want to overclock harder, a higher tier cooler might be in order, but I don't know coolers all that well. I think one of lehtv's posts for another build did have a breakdown of a couple coolers...

 

[7beauties]

Read reviews in MaximuPC and Anandtech. Look for SATA ports that are right angled and connecting SATA cables won't be blocked by a long graphics card. I'd also look to see if an adjacent PCI-e 1X slot isn't too close to the PCI-e 16X slot so it won't get covered over by the graphic card. And look to see if there's room around the CPU slot so you can install a good third party heatsink and fan air cooler since stock coolers aren't very good. There's a Gigabyte motherboard that's integrating Tunderbolt and is affordable. Last point I want to make is that your choice has an easy BIOS flashing utility that can be performed from the desktop.

Beware that Micron is rumored to be unveiling the new DDR4, which would change the DIMM slots and require a CPU that can work with it. DDR4 should improve system performance. I hope this helps. Thank you.