Motherboard for gaming PCs

KILLZ0NE · Apr 16, 2013

I am looking into building a gaming PC. Right now I am looking through some websites (primarily cyberpowerpc) and configuring them the best I know how. There are limited options on what mobos you can select from, so I can't just ask "what mobo is the best", since that might not be an option. My main question is what features should I be looking for in a mobo?

The one that I am currently looking at is:

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-D3H ( Intel Z77 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ IRST, Lucid Virtu MVP, Ultra Durable4 Classic, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 3x Gen3 PCIe x16, 3x PCIe x1 & 1 PCI )

Thanks!

cin19 · Apr 16, 2013

What CPU do you have? K or non-K. If you have the K one the MB is good. Also do you use single GPU or two of them for CF or SLI, if you use only one GPU just pay attention the PCIe3.0 or 2.0.

Also do you use the SSD? if yes, you should get the MB with more than two STATIII ports. Then you need compare the price and features too, like the USB3.
Check out other brand like ASRock Z77 Extreme4/5, Asus P8Z77-V LK, etc.
Z77 review. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254.html

KILLZ0NE · Apr 16, 2013

cin19 :

My whole setup is still a work in progress, but this is what I've been thinking.
CPU: i5 3570k
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7950 (I plan on getting another in few months and combine them)
Also I am planning on using an SSD and HDD.
8 GB RAM DDR3/1866 Ghz
800 Watt PSU

I think that's it. If I missed anything just tell me. Also, if you have any other suggestions let me know. Thanks!

cin19 · Apr 16, 2013

Check the price for GA-Z77X-D3H, ASRock Z77 Extreme4/5, Asus P8Z77-V LK, because all are very good MB for you. If you are in USA and closed the microcenter, you can get the good combo deal- i5 3570k and MB.
Also I like the GIGABYTE DualBIOS™ technology and I do have the GA Z68 MB.

KILLZ0NE · Apr 16, 2013

cin19 :

They all seem very similar to me after checking them out on Newegg. All close to the same price. Right now I have the GA-Z77X-D3H selected. It will be about +18$ for the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and about -13$ for the Asus P8Z77-V LK. Should I go for the Asus, since they're practically the same and one is cheaper? Or does it just come down to which brand is "better"?

cin19 · Apr 16, 2013

Those three brands are good, yes just come down to the price. Pick the Asus P8Z77-V LK for $120 after MIR. My friend got the same asus MB + 3570K on last year BF. Good build.

KILLZ0NE · Apr 16, 2013

Also, if I were willing to build one myself what should I shoot for? Keeping in mind that my budget is about $1200.

cin19 · Apr 16, 2013

Keep the i5-3570K + Asus P8Z77-V LK, as I said if you can pick up those in microcenter, you will get the very good deal.

And get the 750w PSU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Samsung 830 Series 128GB. http://www.adorama.com/SSGZ7PC128BW.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3938566

XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 CPU cooler + Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233082 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
And the CPU Cooler review http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2595&page=5

The GPU I will recommend get the GTX670. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127675&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-MSI-_-14127675
And the GTX670 review. http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_670_2_and_3way_sli_review,1.html

Also pick up other regular HDD + DVD+ 8GB RAM + case + monitor. I think the price should be in your $1200 budget.

KILLZ0NE · Apr 17, 2013

cin19 :

Keep the i5-3570K + Asus P8Z77-V LK, as I said if you can pick up those in microcenter, you will get the very good deal.

And get the 750w PSU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Samsung 830 Series 128GB. http://www.adorama.com/SSGZ7PC128BW.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=cj_3938566

XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 CPU cooler + Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233082 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
And the CPU Cooler review http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2595&page=5

The GPU I will recommend get the GTX670. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127675&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-MSI-_-14127675
And the GTX670 review. http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_670_2_and_3way_sli_review,1.html

Also pick up other regular HDD + DVD+ 8GB RAM + case + monitor. I think the price should be in your $1200 budget.

Another thing to consider is that I plan on playing on my tv instead of a monitor. I will check out your reccomendations tomorrow. Right now, it's bed time.

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