I need some help choosing a motherboard

sajprj

Honorable
Oct 27, 2012
21
0
10,510
I am building a high end, future-proofed, gaming/editing pc, and I need some help choosing the motherboard.

(update: changed processor to 4770k, and motherboard narrowed down to msi MPOWER or Asus z87 PRO )

Here are the specs:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
CPU COOLER/FAN: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM
MOTHERBOARD: MSI MPOWER z87, or Asus z87 PRO
MEMORY/RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance LP 16GB
HARDDRIVES: Samsung 840 PRO 256GB SSD
Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD
GRAPHICS CARD: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHZ Edition
CASE: Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX
POWER SUPPLY: Corsair TX850M Bronze Rated PSU
OPTICAL DRIVE: LG Blu-Ray Model UH12NS29


I plan on overclocking my cpu (i7-4770k) to around 4.3ghz or 4.5ghz.
I also plan on going crossfire with my 7970 ghz edition.



My budget for a motherboard is about $250

have been looking at:
Gigabyte ud5h WB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545

Asus p8z77-v PRO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819

Asus Sabre Tooth:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

(for a budget stretch)
Asus Maximus v Formula:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131854

There are A LOT of motherboards out there, and I was wondering which one is the best for my needs. If there is any other motherboard that you would recommend, please tell me.

Thanks!
:) :) :)
 
Solution
Wow, it looks like you have put some time into this one! Everything looks solid, and your case is one of the few out there that can actually support that cooler.

This is just my 2 cents on the matter, so take it how you will.... but.

You mention at the very beginning of your post that you are looking for a future proof setup. However, the "future" was released a few days ago, and it is a completely new socket and chipset. Intel moved away from the LGA-1155 (from the past 3 processor releases) and went to the LGA-1150 (Starting now) so if you went with the system that you are looking at above, that's where it would end. You would have to replace both the CPU and MB in the future.

That said, all 4 of your choices are solid, you...
Wow, it looks like you have put some time into this one! Everything looks solid, and your case is one of the few out there that can actually support that cooler.

This is just my 2 cents on the matter, so take it how you will.... but.

You mention at the very beginning of your post that you are looking for a future proof setup. However, the "future" was released a few days ago, and it is a completely new socket and chipset. Intel moved away from the LGA-1155 (from the past 3 processor releases) and went to the LGA-1150 (Starting now) so if you went with the system that you are looking at above, that's where it would end. You would have to replace both the CPU and MB in the future.

That said, all 4 of your choices are solid, you can't go wrong with any of them. The Maximus is definitely the best out there, but it's pricey. If you are planning on OC'ing like you mentioned and can't get the Maximux, I would go with the Sabretooth (5 year warranty ftw!) or the Gigabyte board.

The P8's are generally not boards that overclock super well compared to the RoG or TUF boards, but should still give you a solid stable 4.5
 
Solution


I second the idea of switching to Haswell, but as for the motherboard, since you aren't going to put your system on a benchtable all day, the thermal shield of Sabertooth won't be very useful. MSI Z87 MPower would be my pick instead.
 

sajprj

Honorable
Oct 27, 2012
21
0
10,510
I think I will get the MSI board, just because the saber tooth is a little much, and I dont feel I will use all of the features in the z87-pro.

Thanks! You guys were very helpful.

:)