Can someone help me choose a mobo and a case for my i5 4670k system? (looking to OC)

curioususer123

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CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G41-PCMate

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply

Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer

I chose a cheap Z87 mobo, what do you think? A user said that it would not be very good for OCing if I ever wanted. I want this mobo to be around £85 or less ideally.

I also need help choosing a case that's around £50 (willing to go up though). I originally wanted an Antec One because it looked non-flashy and decent, but I don't think it can fit everything after reading around.

Anyone have any good cases that aren't going to turn my room into a disco and stand out (ie no funky designs)? :)
 
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ASRock z87 Extreme 3 is a very budget option.
ASRock z87 Extreme 4 is a modest budget option.
Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI, all make decent z87 boards in the $100-130 range. ASUS z87 PRO at closer to $200, same higher end configs like the ASRock Extreme 6 from other vendors (MSI and Gigabye again). Then there are the pricey ones at $230 - $250 like the ASUS Maximus VI Hero, ASUS z87 Sabretooth. And insane boards like the ASUS Maximus Extreme at $300+.

Really just have to weigh the features against your costs. But as I mentioned, pretty much any Z87 board will let you overclock without issues. Most of the equipment is on CPU now, memory controller, VRMs. Really all the motherboard has to supply is the chipset, also intel made, the power input...

Eximo

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BitFenix makes some fairly nice and not flashy cases.

CX600 isn't exactly an appropriate fit for the build. XFX 550W or 650W would be better quality wise, and not much more expensive.

Tom's round-up of Z87 boards included some of the 'lowest' quality. Still managed to run their chip at decent overclocks. Once you hit the z87 class of boards, you are pretty much in the clear. My budget preference is ASRock Extreme 4, ASUS z87 (lots of model choices) if you have the cash.
 

curioususer123

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Great reply! I really liked the Bitfenix cases but the images made them look quite small, and I'm doubting whether all this would fit inside. EDIT: Sorry, I was looking at the Bitfenix Prodigy Mini Case. Anyway, I think the Fractal R4 would be good too.

You said z87 boards are good for OCing, so would the one I picked be good enough? I chose it in PC parts picker and it was rated 4.5 stars.
 

Eximo

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ASRock z87 Extreme 3 is a very budget option.
ASRock z87 Extreme 4 is a modest budget option.
Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI, all make decent z87 boards in the $100-130 range. ASUS z87 PRO at closer to $200, same higher end configs like the ASRock Extreme 6 from other vendors (MSI and Gigabye again). Then there are the pricey ones at $230 - $250 like the ASUS Maximus VI Hero, ASUS z87 Sabretooth. And insane boards like the ASUS Maximus Extreme at $300+.

Really just have to weigh the features against your costs. But as I mentioned, pretty much any Z87 board will let you overclock without issues. Most of the equipment is on CPU now, memory controller, VRMs. Really all the motherboard has to supply is the chipset, also intel made, the power input, and the I/O, which is where the extra costs come in. Then you look at what the BIOS lets you do.

Fan Headers, SATA ports (all z87 have at least 6), USB 2.0/3.0 ports, PCIe slots. (All ATX will have 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 and 1 PCIe 2.0 x16, and 4 PCIe 1x, Micros will have the two PCIe x 16, Mini only the one.)
 
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