Alternative to Asrock z77 Pro3 and best CPU/RAM partner

[bruno0920]

Greetings,


Hello everyone, I would just like to ask I'm into a dilemma right now. I am trying to get z77 xtreme4 but that's not available in any of the computer shop near me. I don't plan buying online.

The stores doesn't have it, but they have the ff:
a) Asrock z77 OC Formula
b) Asrock z77 Pro3
c) Asus z77 M Pro
d) MSI z77 gd65
e) MSI z77 g43

I'm a heavy gamer only, so I'm not really into video rendering,though my cousin may need to use my PC for his autoCAD. So I'm not really into OC or SLI/Crossfire, but having them is an open option. It's a plus if a product offers them. So I'm confuse w/c of the ff to get. One more thing, I'm planning to buy a new CPU and that store has the ff:

A) i5-3470 > about $260
B) i5-3570k > about $298

Price difference between them is too marginal when it comes to performance. the -k offers OC, while the other doesn't. So I'm bending towards -k. So what's your opinion?

Moreover, the only branded memory that the stores have are ff:
a) HyperX Blue KHX1600C9D3B1/4G
b) Corsair Vengeance 8G (i wasn't able to get the module/part#)

I check both boards and i didn't see that the A) is not on the list of compatible/supported memory. Is it ok if I install a RAM w/c is not on the list? If yes, w/c one do you think is better?


NOTE: Please choose don't recommends products that are not listed here. Thanks

[cadaveca]

I'd recommend the OC formula(great board with great personalized support), or the MSI GD65.

[bruno0920]

Thank you for that feedback!

So it's still better to buy OC Formula even though I'm just purely a gamer?
I guess gd65 suits my need just right.


Well, how about the CPU and the memory?

[cadaveca]

Cost isn't part of my considerations. The Z77 OC Formula is a better board in my opinion.

Are you truly missing out going for the ASRock instead of the GD65?

No, not really.


CPU...get what fits your budget. If you are not going to OC, don't waste your cash on a "K" chip.

Memory, get the one with the best timings, or the cheapest. Difference will truly be unnoticeable.

[BarbaricSoul]

Hey bruno, listen real good to Dave there, he's the guy that does the motherboard reviews for TPU. He probably has more experience with new model motherboards than anyone else on this site. Good luck with your build.

[bruno0920]

Thanks for the feedback!

Yes, I have been reading reviews on the net, and OC Formula really topped the MSI GD65. The only advantage I see on MSI GD65 is that it's for newbies in OCing (just like me), since it's much easier to OC it compare to the others in z77 mobo competition. That's why I somewhat leaning over MSI, but price wise, in the shop AsRock is just about $75 price expensive, and the price is too marginal in terms of performance.

Conclusion: Definitely I'll go w/ OC Formula if budget permits, and buy KHX1600C10D3B1K2/16G (Kingston HyperX Blu DDR3 1600MHz 16GB) as my RAM. I'll go OCing, so I'll go with "K".

Thank you!