Z77 motherboard recommendations please

[rageofthepeon]

I'm going to be pulling the trigger on a 3770k/3570k CPU sometime soon but I'm having a hard time choosing a motherboard.

Features I would like:
2x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots (potential for 2x 7970s)
PCIe slot for a sound card
PCIe slot for a network card (optional but would like it)
Z77 Chipset

Won't be doing any crazy overclocking on the CPU but I'd hope it can get at least 4.0GHz with a CM Hyper 212+ push/pull config. If I can get it a little higher, that would be even better. By the end of the year hope to be setting up my first watercooling loop .

If possible I'd like to stay away from MSI brands. Currently, I own a Gigabyte board so I wouldn't be opposed that that. Reading other forums I've heard great things about ASUS and ASrock so I wouldn't mind trying one from them.

Was originally looking at the ASUS Maximus V GENE but the PCIe 1.0 slot is way to close to the second PCIe 3.0 slot.

Anyways, thank for any help, it's much appreciated.

 

[HexiumVII]

http://forums.anandtech.com/member.php?u=184695

 

[fastman]

http://forums.anandtech.com/member.php?u=184695

Hey Hex the link is your profile page btw or is that your recommendation?

 

[Amaru]

I'm going for the asrock extreme 6 just for what you wanted. I was going to get an pci-e sound card, but figured the more premium onboard sound seems good enough.

 

[rageofthepeon]

I'm going for the asrock extreme 6 just for what you wanted. I was going to get an pci-e sound card, but figured the more premium onboard sound seems good enough.

That's looking more and more like the motherboard I'll be buying. Hopefully Amazon will have the thing listed and in stock by the time IvyBridge is on sale.

 

[Amaru]

That's looking more and more like the motherboard I'll be buying. Hopefully Amazon will have the thing listed and in stock by the time IvyBridge is on sale.

I ordered mine today from newegg. I'm gonna start putting this water cooled behemoth together and drop that cpu in when it releases.

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

AsRock Fatality Performance Z77 ($160) is my first choice, the ASRock Extreme 6 would be second.

Gigabyte "boot looping" issues on many of their Z68 boards has scared me away from them.

Too bad DFI is gone.....also Epox......

 

[DigDog]

the new MSI that just dropped has 3xPCIe 3.0
http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-z77agd65-motherboard-review/

also the maximus (2x) isn't bad if the price stays sub-$200
http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-maximus-v-gene-motherboard-review/1

 

[malkuth]

Ya being introduced to asrock now since my 6 month old gigabyte decided to go boot loop on me.

At this point I would stay away from anything with gigabyte in the name, and they start taking the issue seriously

 

[rageofthepeon]

AsRock Fatality Performance Z77 ($160) is my first choice, the ASRock Extreme 6 would be second.

Gigabyte "boot looping" issues on many of their Z68 boards has scared me away from them.

Too bad DFI is gone.....also Epox......

What made you put the Fatality over the Extreme 6? At a quick glance the Fatality offers "F-Stream – The All-in-1 Tuning Software" but only a single PCIe 3.0 x16 compared to the Extreme's 2x PCIe 3.0 x16.

Edit: At this point it looks like I'll have to the buy the CPU from Amazon and Motherboard at Newegg. /Sigh

 

[Amaru]

CPU at amazon with overnight shipping for $3.99--love my prime membership.

 

[rgallant]

"2x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots (potential for 2x 7970s)"
-needs a plx 8747 chip
no one has mention the asus ws so:


http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77_WS/

-asus might be hiding one more beside the rog E
http://www.techpowerup.com/164816/ASUS-Teases-Feature-Packed-P8Z77-V-Premium-Motherboard.html

 

[Sephire]

Those ASUS motherboards looks really good with their extra features.

 

[mudy]

I was in the same dilemma as you are; 2 GPUs, 1 sound card and 1 pcie raid card. I went for the asus p8z77 ws for future proofing slightly expensive but will be worth it once the pcie 3 std matures!!!!

I'm going to be pulling the trigger on a 3770k/3570k CPU sometime soon but I'm having a hard time choosing a motherboard.

Features I would like:
2x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots (potential for 2x 7970s)
PCIe slot for a sound card
PCIe slot for a network card (optional but would like it)
Z77 Chipset

Won't be doing any crazy overclocking on the CPU but I'd hope it can get at least 4.0GHz with a CM Hyper 212+ push/pull config. If I can get it a little higher, that would be even better. By the end of the year hope to be setting up my first watercooling loop .

If possible I'd like to stay away from MSI brands. Currently, I own a Gigabyte board so I wouldn't be opposed that that. Reading other forums I've heard great things about ASUS and ASrock so I wouldn't mind trying one from them.

Was originally looking at the ASUS Maximus V GENE but the PCIe 1.0 slot is way to close to the second PCIe 3.0 slot.

Anyways, thank for any help, it's much appreciated.

 

[Don Karnage]

I'm going to be pulling the trigger on a 3770k/3570k CPU sometime soon but I'm having a hard time choosing a motherboard.

Features I would like:
2x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots (potential for 2x 7970s)
PCIe slot for a sound card
PCIe slot for a network card (optional but would like it)
Z77 Chipset

Won't be doing any crazy overclocking on the CPU but I'd hope it can get at least 4.0GHz with a CM Hyper 212+ push/pull config. If I can get it a little higher, that would be even better. By the end of the year hope to be setting up my first watercooling loop .

If possible I'd like to stay away from MSI brands. Currently, I own a Gigabyte board so I wouldn't be opposed that that. Reading other forums I've heard great things about ASUS and ASrock so I wouldn't mind trying one from them.

Was originally looking at the ASUS Maximus V GENE but the PCIe 1.0 slot is way to close to the second PCIe 3.0 slot.

Anyways, thank for any help, it's much appreciated.

Get the Maximus V
Use the Onboard Intel NIC
Use the Onboard Audio
Be Happy

 

[Stochastic]

What are the main differences between the ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 and Extreme 6?

 

[JonBlack]

What are the main differences between the ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 and Extreme 6?

Honestly, not a whole lot. The VRM's appears to be the same. The "6" has the following extras: "cooler" cooling, firewire and display port.

If you don't need the additional stuff then the "4" may be for you.

Full Disclosure: I have the "6" and loved it at first but it is going back after running into several issues. I'm not an ASRock hater and just figured I got a bad board. Still I'm going back to Gigabyte (my bread and butter brand).

 

[cantholdanymore]

Get the Maximus V
Use the Onboard Intel NIC
Use the Onboard Audio
Be Happy

+1
Acording to JJ from asus the maximus v ( not gene) will have the best inboard sound of any asus card (and I'm very happy with the sound of my maximus iv)