Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H - CPU Cooler weight & overclocking

uberrich

Honorable
May 22, 2013
16
0
10,510
Hi

I'm about to pull the trigger on a new build, but I just wanted to check a couple of things first. I plan on getting the above board along with the Pentium G3258 and the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler. My questions are these:


    ■ Can I overclock the G3258 with this board/chipset?
    ■ Can this board handle the weight of this cooler? I'm a bit concerned because the FAQ on the Gigabyte website says the max weight of the CPU cooler is 450g [1], however the 212 EVO weighs a total of 569g (465g for the heatsink + 104g for the fan) [2]. Has anyone used these two in cominbation before? Am I gonna snap the mobo if I try it?! This is all going in a Fractal Design Node 804 case too, so the mobo will be mounted vertically. Does this affect the weight issues?
    ■ The manual for the 212 EVO doesn't mention installing it over a 1150 socket (only 1366/1156/1155/775) [3], yet the product web page says the 1150 is supported [2]. Which do I trust? :??:


If it's relevant, the full build is here: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/uberrich/saved/xZ7gXL

Thanks!
Rich.


Refs:
[1] - http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/faq-page.aspx?fid=2832&pid=5258
[2] - http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-212-evo/
[3] - http://www.coolermaster.com/xresserver01-DLFILE-P1302180416de94-F1308260079605e.html *PDF*

 
Why not get the MSI Z97 PC MATE instead? It's even cheaper than that mobo and it is an overclocked designed mobo as it is the Z97 series.

1. The G3258 would overclock well on the CM 212 EVO but I'd get the MSI mobo at that price level.
2. Don't worry about the weight. It'll handle it just fine.
3. The EVO will work on any new mobo in the last couple years.

Use the following link to search for builds that used your CPU, CPU cooler, and whichever mobo you like:
http://pcpartpicker.com/builds/by_part/msi-motherboard-z97pcmate#c=181&h=5
 

uberrich

Honorable
May 22, 2013
16
0
10,510


Many thanks for your swift response envy14tpe.

The MSI board you suggest is a full ATX board I believe, so therefore won't fit in the Node 804 (a mATX case). Also, the MSI PC MATE is classified as a 'Tier Two' board, but the Gigabyte I selected is a 'Tier One' [1]. The price difference isn't great enough to entice me to downgrade the quality, even if it would fit the case.

To go back to my questions and your answers to them:

    ■ Pleased to hear that the 212 EVO cooler will be good for a O/C G3258. My question was really whether I could overclock the G3258 with the Gigabyte H97-based board. I know that the Z97 is designed specifically for overclocking, but I think I heard that you could O/C the G3258 with H97 chipsets. I guess I just want confirmation of that, and if possible, whether it's possible specifically with this Gigabyte board.
    ■ Ok, I admire your confidence! :) Just to be sure here - are you saying the weight will be fine on the Gigabyte board or the MSI you recommened?
    ■ Great news. Thanks for the confirmation. :)

Will check out that link. Didn't know PC Partpicker had that feature.

Cheers
Rich.


Refs:
[1] - http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html
 
Never saw a tier list for mobos? ha. Guess something new everyday. Comparing a MSI PC MATE to Gigabyte H97 (not Z97), surely the MSI wins for overclocking. It is a Z97 not H97. There are no H97 mobos on that list. So they are lower than the MSI PC MATE?