Good Z87-Z97 mobo options for silent/media server/light gaming machine?

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alexb75

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Oct 12, 2004
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I am building an LGA1150 system with focus on quietness, while having decent performance for 1080P gaming, and running a media server.

Here is the minimum I need from mobo:

- Ability to control ALL chassis, and CPU fans via motherboard based on heat/requirement [4 fans]
- Run cool (good heatsinks on chipsets)
- Min 4 DDR3 slots
- Ability to easily OC via BIOS (if needed but not planned)
- USB 3.0 internal [so I can connect to USB 3.0 port front of the case]
- 6 SATA
- RAID
- 2 PCIe

Current list of components:
- Core i7-4770
- Notcua cooler
- Seasonic X-series 660
- 2*4GB DDR3
- Corsair 550D silent case
- 1 SSD/2 WD Red HDD
- Asus R9 270 GPU (runs quiet)


So, what motherboard (or chipset) should I go for? The number of available motherboards across brands is kinda ridiculous (Asus alone has 18 Z97 boards!), and I am totally confused if it's worth getting the premium ones if I am not planning SLI or running multiple GPUs, and what are all the differences?

It sounds like a basic Asus Z87-Plus should just do fine for me? unless I am missing something? Should I go for Z97 or Z87 would do as well?

Thanks
 
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rockie_

rockie_

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Sep 20, 2014
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Drop the i7 . Get i5 4690 + GTX 970 4GB .

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $927.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 14:59 EDT-0400
 
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alexb75

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Oct 12, 2004
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Thanks, I know i5 is a better value, and i7 doesn't offer much for gaming, but I do a lot of Handbrake encoding and extra core/thread comes handy... having said that, I will take another look at the i5 options.

Also, how power hungry, loud is GTX 970? R9 270 at 150 watts is the best performing yet not super hungry GPU at the moment.

So, would ASRock Extreme3 do just fine?
 
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alexb75

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Oct 12, 2004
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Yes, I just saw and that's amazing for such performance. Albeit, the tests here showed that the REAL TDP might be a lot higher if there's sustained GPU processing required.

At any rate, I am really not looking for such performance, I was going to spend $150ish for a GPU and that's enough for what I need...
 
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