Suggestions on downgrading size

[Kursah]

I'm thinking about selling my large-mid tower Lian Li PC-K62 which is probably my favorite case ever to something smaller like the Fractal Design Arc Mini, which also means I'll have to get rid of my Asus Z87-Pro atx board for a mini-atx board.

I would like to keep my auzen sound card unless there's something onboard comparable to it on the green output port. I don't regularly use the onboard HP amp, but when I do it's nice to have around and this has been my dedicated sound card since like 2009 and I'd love to keep it.

I am looking at sub $100 boards, but may raise the ante to $120-ish if necessary. I would like to be able to overclock as well. I am considering the Asus Z87M-Pro as I do need a good wifi, though I have a good USB wifi adapter that is just as good as the Asus onboard in my experience.

I may have my case and mobo and maybe even PSU sold, so looking for suggestions while I dig into my solutions. I would like a smaller filtered case with plenty of fan spots and cooling. If this case will fit my GTX770 and Noctua then I'm definitely sold...as both are staying with me along with my 4770k that has been stable at 4.5Ghz @ 1.24v. I also need room for 1 ssd, and 2 3.5 hdds.

 

[Kursah]

Anyone have experience with Asus, MSI or GB mini or micro-ATX Z87 boards in the sub $120 price-range?

I really like that fractal case, but not sure if it's the right option for me yet.

 

[cadaveca]

Anyone have experience with Asus, MSI or GB mini or micro-ATX Z87 boards in the sub $120 price-range?

mITX series of reviews coming real soon:

 

[Kursah]

How about cases? Anyone have suggestions similar to that Fractal? I like the windowed one better but it's got a $30 premium...soooo...ya not happening! For $50 I can't find a better deal! But I'm open to suggestions for a board that'll take a mini or micro-atx/itx.

 

[Jetster]

Ive always like the Fractal Design Core 1000

SilverStone Temjin Series TJ08B-E

SilverStone SST-PS07B

Fractal Design Define Mini Black

LIAN LI PC-A04B

 

[Kursah]

Thanks for the suggestsions! I like that Temjin but too rich for my blood! I think for around $50 I can't beat the Fractal atm. The Core 1000 EDIT: is another option...though I would like some dust filter action but then again at that price I could make my own filters.

While I do that...

ASRock Z87M-Extreme4: ASRock Z87M Extreme4 LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA ...

or...

GIGABYTE GA-Z87MX-D3H: GIGABYTE GA-Z87MX-D3H LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA...

Neither has wi-fi..but at least they have lots of USB's so my good adapter can be put to good use, and going with this mico atx I can use by GPU and sound card.

Thoughts?

 

[Fourstaff]

Don't like USB adapters, I haven't seen a good one yet. I will jump on the Arc Mini if its $50 too, its main competitors hang around the $80+ region.

 

[Norton]

Don't like USB adapters, I haven't seen a good one yet. I will jump on the Arc Mini if its $50 too, its main competitors hang around the $80+ region.

+1 on the Arc Mini (on sale). Otherwise consider the Arc Mini or the Corsair 350D. I have both of these and a Define Mini and would recommend the Arc Mini first unless you need 5 expansion slots, which the 350D has.

Some pics:

Spoiler: Arc Mini

Spoiler: 350D

 

[Kursah]

Don't like USB adapters, I haven't seen a good one yet. I will jump on the Arc Mini if its $50 too, its main competitors hang around the $80+ region.

I didn't either until I found this cheap Rosewill for a customer for around $15 shipped and found that works better than the $30-60 ones I've collected over the years either for myself, family or customers.

Rosewill RNX-N180UBE Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b...

Too bad it's discontinued now...but it's been an amazing usb wifi adapter that I won't hesitate to use again. I never did use the base...just the adapter + antenna straight off the back of my tower, under my desk and it still picks up more than my Asus Z87 pro antenna does. Gotta admit i like the built-in wi-fi idea better tho. But I only need 4 USB ports on the back anyways, so there'll be 2-4 free.

I'm torn between boards...I want the Asus Z87 Gryphon...but really only can afford the Gigabyte D3H or ASRock Z87m.

 

[Kursah]

I'm kind of tossing around the Asus Z87 Gryphon or the ASRock Z78M OC Formula...that'd be dipping into fuel funds for the next month but if we don't see too much snow I can keep pedaling my ass to college and work no problems.

But if I can attain a solid board out of the GB D3H or ASROck Z84M Extreme 4 that can OC my 4770k and handle my 2133 memory I'd be happy saving money too! That extra $40 is gonna sting.

But I also want a build that lasts..I had a P55 Sabertooth that I LOVED! Was a solid board and never gave me any issues, looked good, ran cool, and was always stable.

I may have to suck it up and go the cheaper route..I just wish there was more out there on people using these mATX boards.

 

[BigBoi]

The Gigabyte Z87MX-D3H looks solid planning to get one myself

 

[Kursah]

It's a tough decision with few posts and fewer reviews. I have read a couple of posts stating the ASRock z87m Extreme 4 is the better clocker, but the GB seems built of better components... I'm still debating if I can find a way to afford the Asus Z87 Gryphon or ASRock Z87m OC Formula. Out of those two I do see the ASRock recommended slightly more...but again nothing concrete that makes me feel confident in making a purchase today...though today is the day I gotta make it happen.

 

[Kursah]

Dave's review of the Gryphon has me teetering on it...I wish he had a review of the ASRock! Is it really worth the +$40 over the GB DH3 or ASR m xtreme4?

 

[Kursah]

Alright, well I'm still debating...the cheapskate that may need the money wants to go with the ASRock z87m extreme 4...but the OC-er and get the good parts that will last even if I gotta starve for a week says get the ASRock z87m OC Formula or Asus z87 Gryphon. With both on sale but at the same price, I think the ASRock OC has more to offer...but the Asus is probably higher quality. I have gone Asus my last 4 boards in a row iirc. Well Abit P865, Asus P965, then I went with DFI P35, Asus P45, Asus P55, Asus Z87..iirc...along with all the other side-builds and what-not I've had. But I've used ASRock as my go-to for customer builds, gaming builds, and never had a problem with any of them and have in-fact been quite impressed by the full size ASRock Z87 Extreme 6.

So I am about a coin-toss away from the Gryphon or OC Formula. Final thoughts from anyone? Im giving myself 1-hour to figure it out while I do homework.