Hi all,

 

Just putting together my shopping list for my build and I'm a little stuck in a couple of areas. Motherboard and Ram.

 

I've got together a few contenders I'm just a little stuck.

 

So with the motherboard my main contender at the moment is: MZI Z87 MPower

Then in no particular order I've also been considering
 

• Asus Z87 Sabertooth

 

• Gigabyte Z87X-UD5H

 

• Asus ROG Maximus VI Hero

 

• MSI GD65 Gaming

 

• Maybe Asrock Z87 Extreme 6 which is a cheaper option.

I'll be running a 4770K under a H110 and plan on overclocking to hopefully around 4.5. I'll also be running a GTX 780. Plus just ordered one of the Korean 1440P monitors too.

I really like the MPower, Not sure I like the thermal Armour on the Sabertooth as it might trap dust etc and I kind of like the look of a "bare" motherboard. As for the Gigabyte board it looks great but is a bit lacking in the audio compared to most of the others.

 

As for RAM, well I know I want it quick and have it mostly nailed down. However I can't decide on capacity, 8GB or 16GB. This will not just be for FSX but other gaming as well. Westman/Techguymax feel free to chime in here as I think you have some expertise when it comes to RAM.

 

For 8GB I could go with any of the following:

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=20097

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=20093

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=20891

 

For 16GB I would go with:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_538_913&products_id=20091

 

So what are your thoughts?

Heya Anthony, 

 

   I read an cook-off article a while back (Tom's Hardware, if I remember correctly) that took the four top MB vendors (you have them named) and pit them against one another. The ASUS came out on top on sheer performance for some things, the Asrock on others. The MSI board was a solid 3rd, but what clinched my purchase of the MSI board was the "solid MB interface and ease of use". It was 2.5-percent slower... Bummer. I have not been disappointed, and am currently running a 3770K OC to 4.6, but retained Turbo so it "idles" along at 3.5GHz.. Personally, I recommend H2O cooling, but others seem to have no problem with air.

 

  As for your other selections, looks like fun! I have Corsair Vengeance (I think - been a while) that operates fine.

 

  A big ol' high-def+ monitor will be no problem for your 780.

 

JKH

Thanks. Yer I was also running a Z77A-GD65 with my 2600K and it was a great little board, but now looking at the Z87 models since I'm moving to Haswell.

 

Thanks for your input.

http://www.pccasegea...oducts_id=20097

http://www.pccasegea...oducts_id=20093

http://www.pccasegea...oducts_id=20891

Anyone of these are fine. - Honestly there is going to be little difference from 2400 CL10 to 2666 CL11.

Asus Z87 Sabertooth

 

I personally prefer Asus for reliability and customer support. Also, they have very good customization for fans and overclocking. - Highly recommend this board.

 

The 4770K and H110 will be an awesome combo! Just be sure that your case can handle a 2X 140 radiator.

So what are your thoughts?

 

DDR3 2400/2666 + GTX780 + 4770K @ 4.5GHZ = Truly fantastic performance.

Hi

This is a cheap an very good OC board GA-Z87X-UD3H .

the only board a would go for instead if i want a ASUS is Maximus VI Extreme ( probaly 0.1 fps more in FSX )

 

Go for 2400mhz  trident

Thanks.

 

I am going to stick with the 2400mhz. Probably Trident. Is this better than Ripjaws Z?

 

Would you bother going 16gb or just stick with 8gb?

 

Hmmm need to think about the motherboard a bit more. What do you think about the MPower?

 

H110 is already installed up top in a Carbide 500R with an Ax850 psu. Just waiting for its friends to arrive!

 

=)

Probably Trident. Is this better than Ripjaws Z?

Honestly, I think it is just the color scheme of the sticks that are different. Personal preference honestly...

MPower

If you are referring to MSI, then yes, it is a good choice. (I have heard good things about them)

H110 is already installed up top in a Carbide 500R with an Ax850 psu.

Awesome! I have an H100, a 400R and an AX850. What a coincidence! :lol:

Would you bother going 16gb or just stick with 8gb?

8GB is fine unless you use photoshop or do intense video editing.

Thanks Ben. That is a coincidence! I also had another system not long ago in a 400R. They really are great cases.

 

Hmmm ok well maybe I should just stick with my original decision and stick wirh the MSI Mpower instead of questioning myself.

 

As for the ram I'm a little undecided. The store I'm getting my parts from doesn't have 8GB trident x in stock but rhey do have 16gb. Otherwise I could grab the 8GB online or from another store.

 

So you dont see any benefit of 16GB, even for future titles etc with a gaming rig. I wont be doing any video editing etc.

Lots of articles/reviews out there for RAM and motherboards resulting in differences which appease the ego rather than frames.

Better to be VERY careful in your choice of Haswell for differences here truly affect frames. Some chips clock 'only' 4.3 whilst others can be stable at 4.8.

Not necessarily a lottery ... see a related thread here.

Best of luck - it will be an awesome build, planning one myself.

PS    Would you happen to be the Ant of Ant's Planes and scenery etc?

Well I ended up ordering the 16GB 2400Mhz TridentX. It's probably slightly overkill but the 8GB kit from my other source was more than I was willing to pay for 8GB. Ah well!

 

Picking up my parts on Saturday but need to wait for the new monitor to arrive from Korea, otherwise if I do manage to get the build up and running by the end of the weekend I'll hook it up to my Plasma for a few days.

 

I'll have to check out that other thread. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Oh and no, I am not that Ant. :smile: