Feedback on Motherboard selection

[borisof007]

Hello!

I'm looking to possibly build the rig in the near future (I'll start buying parts over the next 6 months) and I'm trying to make it last as long as possible, but of course stay within a certain dollar range overall.

I'm fairly experienced in PC performance specifications (see my signature, I built that rig about 2 1/2 years ago), brands, etc, but the one thing I'm weaker in is high end motherboards and watercooling. I will most likely watercool after the rig is built, sometime in Q3/Q4 of 2011.

Here's my current selection of parts and components, based on my own knowledge of price/performance:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
PSU: Corsair 850 Watt PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
Mobo: Asus P6X58D-E USB 3.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
CPU: Core i7 950 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211
GPU: EVGA Nvidia GTX 470 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 6 gb (3x2gb) 1600 mhz, CAS 8

Other components don't really matter, but I do also have an OCZ Vertex, Limited Edition 100 GB SSD as my boot drive with Win 7 that I'll be migrating into this system.

So here's my question:

1. What is a good motherboard, based on my component choices, that will be:

1. High performance
2. Easy for watercooling (if there's such a thing :lol: )
3. Support 32 lanes across the PCI-E for SLi later on? I would prefer this
4. Within my budget (about $250 max)?

I have no preference for brand at the moment, so as long as it's good, I'll get it.

And a quick follow up question:

Is there a better case out there that would be more friendly for what I want to do?

Sorry for the huge post, I just wanted to be thorough!

 

[jaquith]

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 8-8-8-24 @ 1.65V DDR3 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224&Tpk=TR3X6G1600C8D
{I'm not a big fan of Ballistix blinking lights}; just make certain it's one of these - http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P6X58D-E

Simple water cooling:
Corsair H50 {add 2 identical fans push/pull} - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010&Tpk=corsair%20h50
Corsair H70 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=corsair%20h70

Good + Cheap SSD {$195 rebate /$225}- Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2/128GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139135

Silly question, why didn't you list EVGA MOBO??
($265 / +$15 ) EVGA X58 FTW3 | 132-GT-E768-KR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188065

 

[borisof007]

I already have a SSD and I'm not dead set on my component choices just yet. My main question was about the motherboard.

Additionally, any watercooling done would be on the CPU and GPU, which means I'll end up doing my own custom loop (reservoir, pump, tubing, plates, etc)

 

[jaquith]

Silly question, why didn't you list EVGA MOBO?? Clearly, you use them?? {Only reason I omitted}
($265 / +$15 ) EVGA X58 FTW3 | 132-GT-E768-KR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188065

Otherwise, it seems like a mismatch with expensive (water cooling). For CPU + GPU + {MOBO} I only use Koolance, and having only (1) GTX 470 + water cooling it again makes no sense; 2-3 in SLI then clearly it does. I prefer 3X GTX 470 vs 2 X GTX 480.

Koolance - http://www.koolance.com/

BTW - It's going to cost you $400->$600+ just for the waterblocks, radiator & pump w/some connectors.

 

[borisof007]

I'm not brand preferential. I could care less if it was one brand or another, I just wanted the best performance for the money and what I wanted to do. If you read my original choices, you would have seen that I originally picked an Asus board in my list of components to buy.

Anyway, I asked about motherboards that would be friendly for watercooling because my 790i has a huge protruding heat sink/fan off of the north bridge, which would get in the way. I do plan on eventually going 2x 470's with some overclocking. Personally, I think 3x470's is overkill for what I want.

 

[jaquith]

Then you won't like the EVGA X58 FTW3.

What OC do you want for the i7950, and how many GPUs?

 

[borisof007]

I like to push as much as I can on Air first, probably going to be using the high end Zalman CPU/FAN heatsink (pure copper 3 heatpipe one). I'd like to not do any voltage increases while on air, but I'm hoping to get as close to the 4 ghz mark as possible.

As far as GPU's go, I'm thinking 1 470 to start (mainly due to budget) and then getting a 2nd later. My video cards I feel much more comfortable adjusting voltages and OC'ing, as I do that currently with my 285.