Core i5-750, 5850 build, need help with Mobo

[kacz]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tomorrow
RANGE: Around $800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Streaming Movies to rest of house, 3d Cad work, internet....

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Case, Video Card
ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct...
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: None.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Want to keep the option available a year or two from now

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 monitor, 1920x1080 tv to stream too.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: So I think the rest of my build is solid, always welcome to suggestions, but I'm having trouble selecting a mobo. First the rest of the build:

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL


Core i5-750

Cooler Master Intel Core i5 compatible Hyper TX3 Socket 775/1156/AMD 130W 92mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler RR-910-HTX3-G1


Windows 7... Arctic Silver Thermal Compound...

So here are the two mobo's I'm looking at. Also interested in hearing others.

ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer with NF200 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel


Actually, I guess newegg deactivated the one I was looking at. So the one I have listed here is an older one. But apparently it's the only P55, in the 200 dollar price range anyways that does x16 x16 for PCIe cards. But I don't get all the new bells and whistles. So what do you guys think? I read the review here that even if you go 8x 8x you would lose around 8% performance from your graphics cards. But is that worth all the cool things from the new motherboards? Just looking for some advice. Thanks a lot.

 

[Niklas_13]

I would look into this mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

 

[Chuckles_]

That board you listed doesn't do 16/16. Anyway, if you really want 16/16 go with a 1366 system. However, 16/8 is fine for most users. I'm not sure why you mention 8/8 since you wouldn't have to settle for that. Even if you did, yeah it would be like 8% performance loss IF you were crossfiring 5970s. In other words, much ado about nothing. Also, save a bunch of money going with Corsair 750TX, unless you just have to have modular.

 

[kacz]

Wow, guess I was misled about the 16/16 thing. And I mispoke with 8/8.

So any other Motherboards I should check out in the 200 dollar price area?

Debating on the Modular PSU or not. I have a HUGE case, Cooler Master Stacker 830, but it's awful for cable management. Haven't found anyone online as a good example with that case as well.

 

[asteldian]

Asus P7P55D-E PRO - $189.99 (6gb/s, 3.0 USB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621&cm_re=asus_p7p55d-e_pro-_-13-131-621-_-Product

The P55 boards run one card at x16, when you use 2 cards they run at x8/x8 as you stated. However, I thought the performance loss was about 4%, perhaps with the real expensive top card it raises a bit higher, but then, if you are XFiring 2 x 5970 you would not even notice the performance loss for many many years.

To put it in perspective, 30FPS is considered the playable framerate, so, in order for the performance loss tobe of any real consequence, it would mean XFire of 2 5970 cards at 16/16 giving you a Framerate of 32, so at 8/8 you would drop below the magic mark of 30. I mean really, can you imagine your XFire configeration giving you so low a framerate? If you still have your cards by the time that happens, the chances are running x8/x8 is the least of your issues

 

[Chuckles_]

Debating on the Modular PSU or not. I have a HUGE case, Cooler Master Stacker 830, but it's awful for cable management. Haven't found anyone online as a good example with that case as well.

I haven't had any experience with cable management in that case, or come across any examples online. I know some cases can be a bear, but I just hate throwing $50 away on what is essentially a one-time convenience. That's $50 to upgrade some other part of the build. Heck, $50 is $40 short of a HAF 922.

 

[Chuckles_]

Asus P7P55D-E PRO ... when you use 2 cards they run at x8/x8 as you stated ...

Oops, brain fart when I said you wouldn't have to settle for 8/8. Sorry, and I agree on the P7P55D-E Pro. Have a family member with that board in an i5-750 system, and it's great.

 

[kacz]

Well, 3 recomendations for that motherboard sounds good to me. Thanks guys. Will see how easy it would be to maybe cut out some slots for cable management in my old case before I decide what route to go for the PSU.

 

[Silvune]

Check out this heatsink: Scythe Mugen 2 $35 ($7.56 shipping) As it is a good at keeping temps down and being quiet.
If you're not planning to OC your GPU then I'd say that a good 650W PSU will be plenty for two 5850s. You can get good ones of those (and modular) for close to $100.

 

[banthracis]

The Mugen cools a bit better than a Hyper 212 plis, but is a PITA to mount. Still, either are more than enough for a 4ghz OC.

CM Hyper 212 plus
$30 free ship, or on provantage for $20, $6 shipping, but couple days extra ship time.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0R74MKBHTEEKBAQXTVG3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

https://www.provantage.com/scripts/cart.dll/x/0/review

 

[asteldian]

Corsair 650W - just $69.99 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair_650w_power_supply-_-17-139-005-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040

845 five star reviews, another 93 four star.
Then a bunch of lower ones - with over 1000 reviews it is not surprising some would be 1 star due to some being duds