Is this Motherboard fine for this build?

Zehel · Oct 6, 2014

These are the parts of my gaming pc build I just ordered. I just wanted to know if the MB was fine, since it is a Mini ITX, Overclocking was the last thing I really wanted to do with such a small case. With that CPU I would most likely never need to O.C anyway. I don't really have any need to O.C... I just wanted to know if this MB is fine...

Case: BitFenix Prodigy
Intel Processor: Intel Core I7-4790K 4.0GHz
CPU Cooling: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
Intel Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB
Primary Hard Drive: 2TB 7200 RPM
Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce GTX 760
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series RM750 750 Watt 80 Plus Gold
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit

i7Baby · Oct 6, 2014

No. Use an ASRock Z97 Extreme 4 motherboard.

blue17echo · Oct 7, 2014

more accurately, pick up a h97 board like http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97mitxac

that b85 board may not run your haswell refresh out of the box, and the h97 feature set is more robust without costing much more.

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

i7Baby :

Im only using a cooler master fan with a gtx 760... not good for overclocking nor do i want to OC.... So why should i upgrade?

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

blue17echo :

why would it not run my haswell refresh?

i7Baby · Oct 7, 2014

Your CPU won't work on that B85 mobo without a bios upgrade anyway. The only way you can do that is to buy another CPU - one that the mobo was made for.

The Z97 chipset will allow you to adopt the new high speed M.2 storage devices. And allow you to overclock your CPU if you eventually want to. And Z97 will allow you to add a second graphics card to improve your PCs performance.

The ASRock is recommended by Tom's - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824.html

unknownofprob · Oct 7, 2014

@ blue17echo/Zehel Forget H97/B85 completely, you have an overclockable CPU, use it even if not considering now.

I do realise that the i7 4790k is stock 4GHz out of the box, but later on you may want to overclock.

Buy yourself a decent board, like the Z97 Extreme4.

blue17echo · Oct 7, 2014

firstly, he's specifically building a mini-itx box, so all you guys recommending the Z97 extreme 4, stop. that is a full ATX board. he's getting the 4790k because it's 4ghz stock, as opposed to the 3.6ghz stock on the 4790.

The newest generation of Haswell chips are designed to run on the latest motherboard chipset, Z97 and H97. Older generations of boards may require a bios update in order to run a 4790. If this is the case, you may be shit out of luck unless you happen to have an older haswell chip kicking around.

I understand why you don't want to overclock in mini-itx. For your use case, you should pick up a H97 board. It has all of the features of the more expensive Z97 board, but does not allow overclocking. ASRock makes a pretty good Mini-ITX H97 board that I linked.

Ideally, sure, drop the extra 30 bucks on a Z97 board, but if that 30 bucks makes a difference, and you are sure you wont be overclocking, dont bother.

unknownofprob · Oct 7, 2014

"he's specifically building a mini-itx box

He didn't state this, only you have. " really wanted to do with such a small case" This does not state what board sizes he can fit.

"The newest generation of Haswell chips are designed to run on the latest motherboard chipset, Z97 and H97"

I know that (As well as the faster clock speed), I am stating for overclocking purposes in the future, which now he may not consider but later is a certain possibility.

blue17echo · Oct 7, 2014

the bitfenix prodigy is a mini itx case, and his original choice was an itx board.

i7Baby · Oct 7, 2014

There's lots of Z97 mATX mobos you can use.

unknownofprob · Oct 7, 2014

These parts aren't also in his possession yet. Didn't actually see the case, thanks for that part.

Get a Z97 mATX board then.

unknownofprob · Oct 7, 2014

- Double Post -

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

unknownofprob :

too costly for me... the board i currently have is about 80, I would max go like 120-130

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

blue17echo :

firstly, he's specifically building a mini-itx box, so all you guys recommending the Z97 extreme 4, stop. that is a full ATX board. he's getting the 4790k because it's 4ghz stock, as opposed to the 3.6ghz stock on the 4790.

The newest generation of Haswell chips are designed to run on the latest motherboard chipset, Z97 and H97. Older generations of boards may require a bios update in order to run a 4790. If this is the case, you may be shit out of luck unless you happen to have an older haswell chip kicking around.

I understand why you don't want to overclock in mini-itx. For your use case, you should pick up a H97 board. It has all of the features of the more expensive Z97 board, but does not allow overclocking. ASRock makes a pretty good Mini-ITX H97 board that I linked.

Ideally, sure, drop the extra 30 bucks on a Z97 board, but if that 30 bucks makes a difference, and you are sure you wont be overclocking, dont bother.

can you identify for me a good z97 board? along with a H97? Just provide the names of them instead of a link. Thanks in advance.

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

i7Baby :

I can probably use a friend or something and bios upgrade it if push comes to shove

i7Baby · Oct 7, 2014

mITX -

ASUS H97I-PLUS, ASRock H97M-ITX/ac

ASRock Z97E-ITX/ac, ASUS Z97I-PLUS

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

I'm not that well informed about motherboards. If i dont plan on O.C and I do get the bios upgrade on my b85 everything will be fine? What impact does the motherboard truly play if one does not O.C? I am mostly gonna be playing standard titles on high-ultra settings... O.C seems to be good when your computer is aged and you dont want to invest in a new one. My computer is not like that and has no need to O.C. Down the line if I need to O.C i can just swap out the Motherboards right? Can anyone answer all these points or review them for me?

i7Baby · Oct 7, 2014

Yes - if the B85 bios accepts Haswell refresh CPUs, it will work OK. But it will limit what you can do down the track.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1150

Zehel · Oct 7, 2014

I cant just replace the mobo in the future if I want to overclock?

unknownofprob · Oct 7, 2014

if you want to overclock just buy a motherboard that has the ability to do so when you want to. You can replace it later on but it isn't worth it.

blue17echo · Oct 7, 2014

replacing a motherboard is just about the most intensive upgrade you can do on a computer. it requires replacing almost every single component, redoing almost every connection, and also a reinstall of your OS.

basically, if you think you are ever going to overclock, buy a z97 board.

Is this Motherboard fine for this build?

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