Help me choose a Z77 board for a friend. Basically for video editing.

[aaron_s]

Hey guys.
Helping my friend here choosing parts for his build which will be used basically for video editing, animation, etc...
Processor: i7 3770 or the i7 3770K (leaning towards the i7 3770 mainly because he necessarily won't be overclocking)
Motherboard: i need advice, help me choose.
ASRock Z77 Extreme6
or
MSi Z77 MPower

I'm open to all suggestions besides these two boards.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

No point in using a Z77 board if he isn't OCing or doing CF/SLI.

Suggest you wait a few weeks for Haswell.

 

[aaron_s]

No point in using a Z77 board if he isn't OCing or doing CF/SLI.

Suggest you wait a few weeks for Haswell.

The thing is, he wants it ASAP....
And Haswell won't be coming here as soon as it releases. Even worse, prices will be high.
Anything besides Z77 boards; but I'd prefer a Z77 cause of all the features, they seem assuring.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Only extra features you get are a) The ability to OC the CPU/RAM (not sure if this is a Z77--only feature) and b) The ability to run x16 or x8/x8 two-GPU setups. You'll get better value going with something like one of these: http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=76849&vpn=ZH77A%2DG43&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1079

Other question is whether you have thought about a 3930K/X79 build. I take it that would be above budget.

 

[aaron_s]

Only extra features you get are a) The ability to OC the CPU/RAM (not sure if this is a Z77--only feature) and b) The ability to run x16 or x8/x8 two-GPU setups. You'll get better value going with something like one of these: http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=76849&vpn=ZH77A%2DG43&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1079

Other question is whether you have thought about a 3930K/X79 build. I take it that would be above budget.

Damn, that board is quite good; problem is, it ain't available here...just the G41 version *sigh*
The choice of H77 boards is meagre..
There's so much of Z77 to choose from...though i still like the H77 you suggested
And I don't think he'd like an X79 board.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Any particular reason why not? The extra 2 cores and double the memory bandwidth (quad-channel) would likely make a pretty large difference.

They do cost a lot more though...

 

[aaron_s]

Any particular reason why not? The extra 2 cores and double the memory bandwidth (quad-channel) would likely make a pretty large difference.

They do cost a lot more though...

Yeah, price is a factor to consider. The 3930K is double the price of a 3770K. And isn't mainstream too.
So either a Z77 or an H77 (good features needed though)
He isn't much of a gamer guy, just hardcore video stuff like editing etc..

 

[Someone Somewhere]

I wouldn't recommend an i7 for gaming (whether IB or SB-E); almost all games only use four threads. i5-3570K is the most you need for games.

Video editing/transcoding or CAD work are the only things that would make me recommend a X79 platform.

What country are you in? Do you have a preferred store?

 

[aaron_s]

I wouldn't recommend an i7 for gaming (whether IB or SB-E); almost all games only use four threads. i5-3570K is the most you need for games.

Video editing/transcoding or CAD work are the only things that would make me recommend a X79 platform.

What country are you in? Do you have a preferred store?

i wasn't looking everywhere. Managed to find the
MSI ZH77A-G43....
now, I'm considering

MSI ZH77A-G43
ASRock H77 Pro4 MVP
or, if he really wants a Z77 then ASRock Z77 Extreme 4...
Would appreciate the help choosing between these...
He won't be gaming at the least; mostly video editing, animation.

P.S: Which GPU do you feel is good for video editing?
Looking at the Asus line of 4GB GTX 670 and GTX680; cause he really wants a 4gig card.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

The VRAM side of things is usually pointless - 2GB is enough for most things.

AMD's GPUs are significantly better in terms of OpenCL performance, if you don't need CUDA.

 

[aaron_s]

The VRAM side of things is usually pointless - 2GB is enough for most things.

AMD's GPUs are significantly better in terms of OpenCL performance, if you don't need CUDA.

Hmm, that's there.
Could you please recommend a motherboard from the list I specified earlier?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

All would be fine, though I'd probably go for the ASRock H77. Whichever is cheaper.