Motherboard selection help

Montoya · May 25, 2017

Its a terrible idea asking for advice here!

Any place where there are a bunch of computer nerds hanging out, if you ask for advice, they simply tell you to buy the most expensive thing on the market!

I was asking for a budget build a while ago, Im thinking in the $600-$750 range... for everything, including case!

I started getting suggestions that included a $700 GPU!

Thanks TEST! :D

DarthMunkee · May 25, 2017

I have a ROG IX Hero in my build and I really like it. 2 M.2 slots and almost enough USB ports which is nice. The BIOS is easy to use and has all the features I need as far as XMP and other overclocking utilities go. I really like it, but bottom line with Motherboards, get the one with the features that you need.

As far as the cases go, I can't help you there, they all look pretty sweet.

I_MIKE_I · May 25, 2017

Thalstan said:
All,

Looking for a new motherboard. I thought I had a bad cap in my power supply...turns out I probably have a bad cap on my MB and need to do a replacement. Stinks, but this system is 5 years old...stuff happens. Was going to try and wait till next year, but I am unsure this will last a week, let alone 6-7 months

The bare bones of the system so far
32 GB ram 2x16 for expansion to 64GB later on
Intel 7700K
Windows 10 pro
C: will probably be an M.2...either 500 or 1 TB Samsung EVO 960. This will run either windows or my games (SC, WoW, EQ2, Civ, etc)
D: will be a 1TB SSD
one platter for music and stuff, salvaged from my old box.
1080 from old system (new 6 mo. ago)
Corsair 1000W power supply (purchased yesterday to replace my old PSU that I thought had a bad cap.

Keyboard and mouse will remain the same, monitor will remain the same.

Things I need advice on
https://www.amazon.com/ROG-STRIX-Z270E-GAMING-Motherboard/dp/B01NGTJNSZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495737894&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+z270+strix+gaming+e

https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-Z270X-Gaming-Gaming-Motherboard-LGA1151/dp/B01N95G58Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495738272&sr=8-1&keywords=gigabyte+z270+gaming+7

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Enthusiastic-Z270-Motherboard-GAMING/dp/B01N6O4YHD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495737750&sr=8-1&keywords=msi+motherboard+M7

Case:
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Trooper-Computer-SGC-5000-KWN1/dp/B00GMG5KD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495740234&sr=8-1&keywords=cooler+master+full+tower+pc+case

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008O2HOI2?ref=emc_b_5_t

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003S68Q0Y?ref=emc_b_5_t&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Graphite-780T-Full-Tower/dp/B00LA6POK4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1495740507&sr=1-2&keywords=corsair+case+full+tower

I want good cooling of my system and a sturdy case. The one concern I have with the 780T is the fact that I used it for my wife's comp and it seemed a little flimsy...

I'd need more info for what you need such a monstrosity, but unless you use the PC to earn serious amounts of money from Youtube etc., it's just overkill rather than sensible in any possible way.

First things first: I kinda tend to believe someone who thinks of a 7700k will not have used the "cheapest" possible build previously, so if you have a i7 3660k or something like that... erase the tought of upgrading quickly, since it's simply not worth it unless you plan on running some insane FPS for eSports or need a high-end PC for Youtube etc.

Second: If you can return the PSU, do it... 1000W are utter nonsense unless you run extreme builds, with that I mean multiple GPU as well as extreme overclocks (which afaik Intel told people not to do on 7700k anyway LOL).

Lastly: My recommendation for a "sane" build would most likely look something like this (only a raw estimate i looked up on newegg):
CPU: Ryzen 1600 (220$)
MB: X370 (saving the few bucks for a B350 isn't that much worth it) MB from MSI or Gigabyte (120-140$)
RAM: 2x8gb (105$)
PSU: SuperNova 650 G1 (75-90$)
SSD: 2XXGB (80-100$)
HDD: 1TB (~50$)

Montoya said:
Its a terrible idea asking for advice here!

Any place where there are a bunch of computer nerds hanging out, if you ask for advice, they simply tell you to buy the most expensive thing on the market!

I was asking for a budget build a while ago, Im thinking in the $600-$750 range... for everything, including case!

I started getting suggestions that included a $700 GPU!

Thanks TEST! :smile:

Consider your Position... at least dual Xeons with 12 Cores each!

On a serious note: do you still need that build? If so, tell me which Online-Store you'd trust and I can easily pick something out for ya.

ThomSirveaux · May 25, 2017

Disclaimer: My robotics team is sponsored by Cooler Master and I have a close relationship with them.

That being said, their cases are dynamite. If you absolutely HAVE to have a full tower, you really can't go wrong with the Trooper or HAF X. However, their Mastercase Pro 5 and Pro 6 have just as much internal space than my old full tower, and it's in a mid-tower package. The Mastercase Pro 5 is a little cheaper, but if you wanted to go for that $150 price range, you can always get the Mastercase Maker 5, which comes with a lot of goodies, including a USB-C port on the front panel.

https://www.amazon.com/MasterCase-Mid-Tower-FreeForm-Upgraded-Supression/dp/B01ER4898Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1495745463&sr=8-3&keywords=cooler+master+mastercase+5t

As far as Motherboards are concerned, MSI or Gigabyte are both good options.

I_MIKE_I · May 25, 2017

Thalstan said:
I keep my builds a minimum of 5 years as my primary machine. They then go into an alternate duty for another 4-5 years. My current build is yes...a 3770k The MB is failing on it (no longer boots without having to turn off power supply, hold down power button, and then press boot..and even then it takes a while. PSU was just replaced from a 1200 down to a 1,000 Previously, this PC had dual 690 before upgrading to the new 1080. Had the MB not started failing, I was wanting to wait until at least Coffee Lake came out with the new 6 core systems, and next year when I could get MS office pro for 10 bucks, but I don't think I have a choice.

My current case is a Cooler Master HAF 932. It's as solid and rugged as I need. My wife has had 2 Cosmos cases. The first was WAY too hot...the Cosmos II is good, but too heavy and the doors are horrible for where I need to put the case.

Oh, and I've had REALLY bad luck with AMD in the past, so I will never buy their chips. I would rather get an Intel, than an Intel clone.

I guess that sounds reasonable, but I still think a 3770k would easily suffice for 2 years+. CPU Bottlenecks for demanding Games are fairly low unless you go nuts with the GPU, and especially in Games like SC I think most people would not go tryhard for eSport-FPS and rather keep the eyecandy...

Which Mainboard does it use? Might as well try a bit more before giving up.

Dual 690... heh... sure, that's something. But for a single or even dual gpu of the current generation it's overkill.

AMD CPUs had a lot ups and downs... Phenom II were awesome, FX Series was complete bullshit IMO. Some of their older ones also failed hard... but the Zen architecture is solid.

Stevetank · May 25, 2017

As an IT guy who has built many computers, I have never had anything but great performance from ASUS for motherboards. I've tried MSI, Gigabyte, AsRock, and EVGA. Hands down I would buy ASUS again. Wish I had bought ASUS in my current rig. My motherboard is limping.

Stevetank · May 25, 2017

Thalstan said:
I agree that is should last 2 more years but it hasn't...

the MB that is failing is a Asus Z77 Sabertooth

Wow... I think you're just unlucky. Don't those have a 3 year warranty?

Stevetank · May 25, 2017

Thalstan said:
Yep, but the board is 5 years old and has been running almost 24x7 since it went into service.

You didn't buy new?

Stevetank · May 25, 2017

Thalstan said:
the board was new when I purchased it. That is the old board that is failing (the Z77)

I'm confused. I need to go back and re-read things to see how many boards we're talking about...

Stevetank · May 26, 2017

Thalstan said:
the board was new when I purchased it. That is the old board that is failing (the Z77)

I'm confused. I need to go back and re-read things to see how many boards we're talking about...

Thalstan said:
I have three boards I am trying to choose between for my new system as my old one is failing. Someone asked why I was replacing my current system and I said what happened and what was going on and the piece of equipment (the z77) that I suspect is failing on my current system

Thanks for the summary. Now I am up to speed.

I_MIKE_I · May 26, 2017

Stevetank said:
As an IT guy who has built many computers, I have never had anything but great performance from ASUS for motherboards. I've tried MSI, Gigabyte, AsRock, and EVGA. Hands down I would buy ASUS again. Wish I had bought ASUS in my current rig. My motherboard is limping.

I had Asus in my first PC, never had issues, 2nd one had a AsRock ... utter failure, now I have Asus as well, but I can tell you I'd take a MSI over the thing any day. Also, MSI started using really good PCIe locks, Gigabyte copies them afaik... but I think Asus still sucks in that regard.

Thalstan said:
I agree that is should last 2 more years but it hasn't...

the MB that is failing is a Asus Z77 Sabertooth

Damn... that thing was expensive iirc... it should have solid caps and the other fancy stuff I think.

Let's try the following:

1. Turn the PSU off, unpluck the power cable.
2. Take out the CMOS Battery.
3. Remove the GPU, all RAM except 1 Stick, all HDD/SSD except the one you boot from.
4. Power it on without CMOS Battery and turn it off again.
5. Let it sit without the Battery over night.
6. Repeat 4.
7. Put the CMOS Battery back in and see if it boots properly (after the first attempt where it's gonna load the default bios).
8. If 7. Fails, change the RAM.
9. If 8. Fails, change the Ram slots.

If possible, try running it with some generic 1,35v DDR3 RAM rather than 1,5v+.

Actually, my Asus Boards had such issues a few times after I changed components.

After you get it to act "reasonable" again, make a BIOS update before you put in the good stuff again.

Captain.Harlock · May 26, 2017

For MB im using Asus prime Z270 decent price and it support overclocking.

thanatos73 · May 27, 2017

My entire system is Corsair and MSI.
Will edit with specs later, on my way to some IRL sadness.

CPU
AMD FX-9590
Vishera 32nm Technology
RAM
32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 921MHz (10-11-10-32)
Motherboard
MSI 990FXA GAMING (MS-7893) (CPU 1)
Graphics
4096MB ATI AMD Radeon R9 380 Series (MSI)
Storage
223GB PNY CS1311 240GB SSD (SSD)
476GB Crucial_CT512MX100SSD1 (SSD)
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00BN5A0 (SATA)
931GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 (SATA)

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