help with motherboard choice for new build (gaming)

[Chum]

leaning toward ASrock ATX. Price range under $200. What is their most stable? Future build budget $1500. Figured I would start with mobo.

 

[rayraysfunhouse]

Be a little easier if you gave a little more info. AMD, Intel, planning to overclock or not, sli or crossfire plans.

 

[Chum]

Intel chipset, I usually dabble with overclock without volt modding. Standard Good nvidia card

 

[Mandrake4565]

ASrock Z97 Extreme 6 if you're going with a 4960k or 4970k

 

[Chum]

I was looking at that one! Thanks. Lot of good reviews! Good price too...

 

[Mandrake4565]

ASRock is really putting out some nice boards at competitive prices. Here's the Forum review of it.

 

[Theocnoob]

ASRock extreme 6 100%. Best bang/buck midrange ATX Z97 board IMO.

 

[Chum]

OK...that's my board! Now lets discuss memory...suggestions for dual channel?

 

[Theocnoob]

OK...that's my board! Now lets discuss memory...suggestions for dual channel?

DDR3 2133 Cas 9. Not too expensive, great for the money. A microscopic perf boost over 1333. You might see as much as 1FPS in certain games!
Seriously though for the minor difference in price I say go for it.

Go for RAM with the metallic baby blue color of the heatsinks on the Extreme 6 so it matches up. Either that or black. G skill Ripjaws blue is very close as is Corsair's blue.

 

[Chum]

ASrock Z97 Extreme 6 if you're going with a 4960k or 4970k

4960k or 4970k...? Where do you find this spec when searching Newegg for a CPU

 

[Witchdoctor]

1st Choice @ $ 216.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157502

2nd choice @ $ 195.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128704

3rd Choice @ $ 168.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132116

 

[Chum]

1st Choice @ $ 216.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157502

2nd choice @ $ 195.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128704

3rd Choice @ $ 168.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132116

Any reason any of these are better than the ASRock extreme 6? Just looking for input, I appreciate the reply! Will not be purchasing the parts for a couple of weeks so want to get all the research done.

 

[Witchdoctor]

The first two speak for themselves, arguably the best two boards for the z97 platform, but excel at sub ambient temps.

This does not mean they are not great boards for ambient users though.

The Asus board I have come to appreciate using it's little brother in a z97 mITX build.

The Ex6 is a nice board as well I have used it's cousin the Killer. A spot on match almost other than a few features.

Having the opportunity to work with both the Asus z97 and the Asrock z97 mainstream boards I like the Asus solution a touch better.

I see you are asking about the memory for this platform as well,

Take a look at the Team Xtreme 2666 , great value , just beware they are tall and depending on your cooling solution could be a problem.

If they can work with your build though they represent a great value

 

[Theocnoob]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...313447&cm_re=Team_2666-_-20-313-447-_-Product Here's the link. I 100% agree with Witchdoctor on this RAM. I had no idea you could get 2666 for this cheap. Go for it.

Stick with the Extreme 6 mobo. It's the board for you.

 

[Chum]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...313447&cm_re=Team_2666-_-20-313-447-_-Product Here's the link. I 100% agree with Witchdoctor on this RAM. I had no idea you could get 2666 for this cheap. Go for it.

Stick with the Extreme 6 mobo. It's the board for you.

was thinking about this CPU cooler looks like it would not be a problem fitting with this memory http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...iveASIN=B005O65JXI&linkCode=as2&tag=buildg-20

 

[Theocnoob]

It might be a problem, actually.

 

[Chum]

It might be a problem, actually.

could I install the ram on slots 3 and 4

 

[Theocnoob]

could I install the ram on slots 3 and 4

On some platforms the channels used to be split 1,2/3,4 but AFIAK all Z97 boards it is 1,3/2,4



It looks like it only covers the first slot.

BTW just a word of warning, 99% of people say installing the Hyper 212 was worse than getting a cavity filled. It's not a pleasant experience. Just a bad mount design. You can't really beat it for the money though.

 

[Chum]

but if only 1 fan mounted on left might be ok. Thanks for the pic! Do you like the coolers performance?

 

[Theocnoob]

but if only 1 fan mounted on left might be ok. Thanks for the pic! Do you like the coolers performance?

You want the air flow in your case to go in 1 continuous direction. Mounting the fan on what should be the exhaust portion of the cooler is unwise, though still doable.

I like the performance for the price.