1150 i5 upgrade

[Mussels]

dear TPU'ers, i'm starting to look into a *gasp* upgrade.

i've already got a few of the components lined up, such as GPU, PSU, ram, and cases.


I'm kinda tempted to go mATX since i used to go to LAN events a lot, and i'd like to start being able to do that again with a more portable system now that all my hard drives are in external enclosures and not packed inside the case.


So the existing hardware that i own:

Corsair HX1000 or TX750 (prefer the HX1000, but if it cant fix the case, it cant fit)
4x2GB corsair 1600MHz ram
7970 3GB @ 1.1GHz
Auzentech X-mystique PCI sound card - this ones optional, if the onboard audio can sound as good with my z5500's (they sound better on analogue than digital)

cases i've chosen for either form factor:
CM 690 advanced III (upgrade to case i have, if full ATX) or "Aerocool Dead Silence Cube" for mATX


link to the 'wish list' for parts i'm considering (there are parts for TWO potential builds here)


My current plans for the build would be just single GPU, with the maximum OC i can get at stock voltages (i like power efficiency)

If people wouldnt mind going through that site (pccasegear) and helping me choose out decent priced ATX and mATX motherboards that suit my needs? pleaaaase?

 

[brandonwh64]

Thats a good looking build you picked out there

 

[Mussels]

Thats a good looking build you picked out there

i've got two matx boards there, which one are you talking about? (just added some ATX considerations, but havent had time to look into them fully yet)

 

[[Ion]]

TBH I'm not sure why you'd even consider a 1000w PSU, particularly with a single GPU. Even an old Corsair TX750w that I have will run a trio of G92 cards easily, or a pair of GTX470s (225w cards). I think it would make more sense to get a cheaper, lower-power one that would be more efficient as well.

 

[Mussels]

TBH I'm not sure why you'd even consider a 1000w PSU, particularly with a single GPU. Even an old Corsair TX750w that I have will run a trio of G92 cards easily, or a pair of GTX470s (225w cards). I think it would make more sense to get a cheaper, lower-power one that would be more efficient as well.

because i already own it.

 

[brandonwh64]

I would do the ASRock board

 

[[Ion]]

because i already own it.

Right, I missed that

NVM then.

 

[manofthem]

Cadaveca has reviewed some of those boards:

Asus Gryphon z87
MSI Z87 G45 Gaming
AsRock Z87 Extreme 6

Out of the mATX, I think I too would choose the AsRock. From a quick search, the onboard audio of the AsRock (alc1150) is supposedly better than the Asus (alc892)

I too am thkning about switching to z87 and have been eyeing the MSI 45 gaming board, and Dave's review seemed decent.

 

[THE_EGG]

Personally I would go the mATX route. I'm starting to regret having the 2 systems when I know I could have had nicer components had I only had one build, especially now that I got rid of my RAID and have convinced myself I only need 1 gpu (no way I'm getting rid of my Essence ST).

I'd choose either the Asus Gryphon or the ASRock Formula but I'd lean toward the Asus (personal preference only). EDIT; found this mATX with a PCI slot that shouldn't impede your GPU. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1491&products_id=23639

Also I still use an Aerocool M40 for an HTPC. Excellent case. I'm really tempted by changing everything into that Aerocool deep silence or a Bitfenix Phenom M.

 

[PHaS3]

I would say, if you want MATX - Asus Gryphon Z87

If you decide ATX - MSI Z87-G45 gaming. Friend of mine has one and loves it.

Either way, its going to be a nice machine

 

[Mussels]

Personally I would go the mATX route. I'm starting to regret having the 2 systems when I know I could have had nicer components had I only had one build, especially now that I got rid of my RAID and have convinced myself I only need 1 gpu (no way I'm getting rid of my Essence ST).

I'd choose either the Asus Gryphon or the ASRock Formula but I'd lean toward the Asus (personal preference only). EDIT; found this mATX with a PCI slot that shouldn't impede your GPU. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1491&products_id=23639

Also I still use an Aerocool M40 for an HTPC. Excellent case. I'm really tempted by changing everything into that Aerocool deep silence or a Bitfenix Phenom M.

unless i've missed something the Q series chipset in the board you linked to cant OC at all? i thought that was only Z series chipsets? (i've been AMD for a long time)

it also lacks a few other features i'm interested, so i'd skip that one.

 

[Mussels]

so for matx it seems to be settled on either the asus gryphon, or the asrock OC formula, with the asrock having the superior onboard audio and more rear USB 3.0 ports both of which help me.

DTS encoding for the onboard on the asrock can be used in case the analogue quality is subpar as well, i guess.

 

[Timmen]

why 4 modules of 2gb ram if i may ask ?
wouldn't it be better if u pick 2modules of 4gb ?
or am i missing here something ?

 

[THE_EGG]

unless i've missed something the Q series chipset in the board you linked to cant OC at all? i thought that was only Z series chipsets? (i've been AMD for a long time)

it also lacks a few other features i'm interested, so i'd skip that one.

Ah right, wasn't sure if you meant maximum OC on the GPU or CPU or both. I have to admit it didn't look like that great a mobo, a bit cheap looking.

 

[Vario]

If you want an all out lanbox I'd do a itx, are you gonna be focused on sound quality while your fragging?

If you want a really small good psu check out the silverstone short power supplies. Heres an example: SILVERSTONE ST55F-G 550W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V SL.... I have a 500 watt bronze silverstone, zero problems, the thing is super short!

Thats if what you have already doesn't fit.


I like the Coolermaster N200 when I was researching small cases but haven't actually held one.

so for matx it seems to be settled on either the asus gryphon, or the asrock OC formula, with the asrock having the superior onboard audio and more rear USB 3.0 ports both of which help me.

DTS encoding for the onboard on the asrock can be used in case the analogue quality is subpar as well, i guess.

I've had strange results with Asrock, the z77e came DOA (wouldn't run anything more intense than firefox after boot, just crashed completely off, tested everything and it was the mobo), I like the replacement. It feels solid. My 970 Extreme 3 is really floppy and cheap feeling but the computer itself is reliable.

Heres a badass 1150 itx http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/56...el-z87-mini-itx-motherboard-review/index.html, check out that daughter board. It has a vertical daughterboard for the vrm and for the audio.


also

Above you can see the SupremeFX Impact adapter that is installed to the motherboard. We'll take a closer look at how it connects in the next page. While we see so many motherboards just offer a Realtek solution for Audio, with this we get ROG SupremeFX Impact 8-Channel High Definition Audio. A clear step up from so many other motherboards.

 

[Mussels]

If you want an all out lanbox I'd do a itx, are you gonna be focused on sound quality while your fragging?

If you want a really small good psu check out the silverstone short power supplies. Heres an example: SILVERSTONE ST55F-G 550W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V SL.... I have a 500 watt bronze silverstone, zero problems, the thing is super short!

Thats if what you have already doesn't fit.


I like the Coolermaster N200 when I was researching small cases but haven't actually held one.

i need/want the ability to slap in secondary cards. for example i use a PCI-E 1x E-sata card thats compatible with my e-sata cages (intel e-sata ports are not compatible) - so for now a crossfire board works perfect even if it doesnt have a 1x slot (until i make the move to all USB 3.0 enclosures in the future)

 

[Vario]

i need/want the ability to slap in secondary cards. for example i use a PCI-E 1x E-sata card thats compatible with my e-sata cages (intel e-sata ports are not compatible) - so for now a crossfire board works perfect even if it doesnt have a 1x slot (until i make the move to all USB 3.0 enclosures in the future)

Understood, thats why I have an itx and a ATX I can't really give any good advice but look forward to seeing what you get then.

 

[Mussels]

at this stage i've settled on the asrock board and an i5, its just waiting for a bargain priced competitor to ruin my careful planning.


anyone selling any i5k ?

 

[digibucc]

asrock has certainly improved over the years, and my 4yr old server build is running strong 24/7. recommended.

 

[Vario]

at this stage i've settled on the asrock board and an i5, its just waiting for a bargain priced competitor to ruin my careful planning.


anyone selling any i5k ?

I'd recommend finding a prebinned one for sure, theres a lot of variability...