Motherboard Suggestion

[The West]

Hello,

Im planning on upgrading my system and would like your suggestions about which motherboard to purchase as it has been a while since I last bought one and a lot has changed.

My budget is around 200 and Im aiming to build a gaming rig that will last. Ive selected a Nvidia GTX670 GPU so multiple PCIe 3.0 slots are a must.

Ive noticed a few "new" companies while searching for motherboards, AsRock and Biostar... Do they make good boards? Has anyone heard any horror stories about either of the companies?

Thanks!

 

[rolli59]

This might be a good place to start http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-extreme6-z77a-gd65-z77h2-a2x,3187.html
Asrock have been making a name for themselves after breaking away from ASUS and BIOSTAR are ever so strong on the budget market.

 

[nikorr]

This one would be my choice, plenty of nice features, great OC machine.

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

PCIE3.0,LucidLogix Virtu, BT GO!,USB3.0 Boost


$219.99 -> $199.99 after mail-in rebate card + FREE SHIPPING

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

 

[The West]

Thanks for the suggestion but I understand that the Z77 and Z79 northbridge chipsets are the newest ones and I'll probably go with one of these.

Also, Im planning on utilizing all of the RAM slots...has anyone tried a RAM cooling option similar to this thing? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835236002

Does it give you any significant improvement?

 

[rolli59]

I have never needed one!

 

[nikorr]

Absolutely not needed : ) 100%

 

[The West]

Good to know, I plan to do a bit of overclocking but nothing crazy.

 

[nikorr]

Today's DDR3 RAM is running cool to touch.

 

[nikorr]

What's your CPU?

 

[The West]

Havent quite decided yet. The i5 3570k looks like a great performance v. price option but the i7 3770s is a contender. I figure if I stick with a core using the new 22nm manufacturing I should be OK.

Was thinking of going with the i5 and OCing it a bit in an effort to match the i7

 

[nikorr]

Do u live by any chance close to Microcenter?

 

[The West]

Not exactly close... ~45min drive

 

[nikorr]

That's perfect!

 

[The West]

Why, Ive never been to a Micro Center before...whats so special about them?

 

[nikorr]

Well, they had sales for the CPU with mobo and the saving was over the 100$, gone today.

 

[nikorr]

What's your budget for the mobo and CPU?

 

[The West]

I was shooting for 400-500 for the both of them.