[SkyandSun]

Hi all,

First off, I am new here after lurking for about a week as I build my first home-built PC. So please forgive any mistakes on my part!

I am putting together a PC for gaming and light office use. I have settled on the Intel Core i5-4670 3.4Ghz processor, with 8GB RAM. However I am having difficulties with the motherboard. I'm wondering if you could recommend one?

MSI H87-G43
Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H

and MicroATX:

MSI H87M-G43
ASRock H87M Pro4
Gigabyte GA-H87M-D3H
Asus H87M-E

... or any others you might recommend.

My case will fit either size but I don't really have a pressing need for the full size, I guess? The difference as far as I can make out is you get more ports on the full size boards.

I will be putting an nVidia GTX 770 (or POSSIBLY 780, but probably not) onto the board.

I was originally considering the z87 and the 4670k CPU to allow for potential overclocks down the road, but budget meant this is something I've decided against for now.

I am in the UK, if this helps.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[eXXon]

Welcome to OCN

Either one of the Gigabyte boards you mentioned. But if you can drop a little more cash for the K and get this MSI gaming board, you'll essentially extend the life of your CPU (performance wise) later down the road by OC'ing it.

Mechanical keyboard? nothing beats Ducky Shine3 (with OCN's own logo on it lol).

Now, you'll need a quality PSU, have you decided on one yet? Have a look here if not.

And finally, here's how to put that new shiny rig in your sig:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1258253/how-to-put-your-rig-in-your-sig/0_20

 

[SkyandSun]

Thanks! I edited out the keyboard question because I figured it was the wrong forum, but I appreciate the answer there! I'm looking for something that works for gaming and word processing, as I work as a writer.

PSU I'm getting the XFX XTR 650W. It's already ordered so would be a hassle to return - not impossible, though - but I read on here that it's high quality for the price (even though I see it's not in your recommended PSU list! However it is a new product. And HardOCP's review of the 750W version is very favourable). If after mentioning it people on here tell me it was a huge mistake, I can reconsider!

The overclocking is a possibility, but I figured if I had extra cash I'd put it on the keyboard because those keyboards look so nice!

 

[SkyandSun]

... although if you're interested in having a look over my PC, it's here: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/37EAl

Hopefully I haven't put anything glaringly obviously wrong in there

. If so, do tell me before I carry on buying components.... Or if there are any minor tweaks you'd make, do let me know. Not completely decided on the make of graphic card yet (gigabyte, asus, msi etc), or 2gb vs 4gb. I'd prefer a 3gb 770 but they don't exist, heh. I'm running the PC through a HDTV that's very good for gaming (low lag times) because I don't have room for a traditional monitor setup.

EDIT: And I've just realised with the motherboard being H87 it doesn't support the higher speed RAM, I think, so i guess that will have to be 1600Mhz...

 

[eXXon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyandSun

... although if you're interested in having a look over my PC, it's here: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/37EAl

Hopefully I haven't put anything glaringly obviously wrong in there

. If so, do tell me before I carry on buying components.... Or if there are any minor tweaks you'd make, do let me know. Not completely decided on the make of graphic card yet (gigabyte, asus, msi etc), or 2gb vs 4gb. I'd prefer a 3gb 770 but they don't exist, heh. I'm running the PC through a HDTV that's very good for gaming (low lag times) because I don't have room for a traditional monitor setup.

I would only change the Ram to these Ripjaws since they are faster & cheaper. (just saw your edit regarding the speed, give me a minute to verify)

I'm guessing the TV is 1080p (1920x1080), for that resolution you really don't need more than 2GB of VRam.

And the 770 is not powerful enough to utilize 4GB of VRam if required in ultra-high resolution situations.
EVGA is the best brand for Nvidia globally (they are on a different league to be honest from all others in terms of Support & RMA).

The R9-290 is significantly faster than the 770 for the same price (around 300). And AMD drivers are excellent these days too if that worries you.

 

[SkyandSun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXXon

I would only change the Ram to these Ripjaws since they are faster & cheaper. (just saw your edit regarding the speed, give me a minute to verify)

I'm guessing the TV is 1080p (1920x1080), for that resolution you really don't need more than 2GB of VRam.

And the 770 is not powerful enough to utilize 4GB of VRam if required in ultra-high resolution situations.
EVGA is the best brand for Nvidia globally (they are on a different league to be honest from all others in terms of Support & RMA).

The R9-290 is significantly faster than the 770 for the same price (around 300). And AMD drivers are excellent these days too if that worries you.

Thanks, you're right about the TV being 1080p only. Will look at the R9, is there a specific card you'd recommend for that price point?

As for the RAM, the motherboard doesn't support speeds beyond 1600, which is why I think I need to change the RAM to that speed. If I got the z87 mobo the faster Ram would be an option. Unless I'm missing something?

Am also looking at the case. If I'm going micro ATX, I can get the Fractal Design Define Mini. Wonder if the graphics card will fit though - it says it will if I remove the HDD bay, but I'm not sure if that's going to be possible with two drives... ?

 

[eXXon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyandSun

Thanks, you're right about the TV being 1080p only. Will look at the R9, is there a specific card you'd recommend for that price point?

As for the RAM, the motherboard doesn't support speeds beyond 1600, which is why I think I need to change the RAM to that speed. If I got the z87 mobo the faster Ram would be an option. Unless I'm missing something?

Am also looking at the case. If I'm going micro ATX, I can get the Fractal Design Define Mini. Wonder if the graphics card will fit though - it says it will if I remove the HDD bay, but I'm not sure if that's going to be possible with two drives... ?

How about these two:
Fractal Design Define R4 (you can remove the bottom HDD cage for the GPU and still have the upper cage for your drives.)
CM HAF-XB (no need to remove anything lol).

Sapphire, Gigabyte, MSI are my recommended choices for AMD cards in that order.

 

[SkyandSun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXXon

false
How about these two:
Fractal Design Define R4 (you can remove the bottom HDD cage for the GPU and still have the upper cage for your drives.)
CM HAF-XB (no need to remove anything lol).

Sapphire, Gigabyte, MSI are my recommended choices for AMD cards in that order.

Thanks. If I am sticking to budget, the only R9 card really is the Asus R9290-4GD5. I want to check my XFX XTR Gold 650W PSU can handle it - the power requirements for the R9 appear to be 300W, but surely that is too low??

As for the case, the Define R4 is for a full size motherboard, that's why I was thinking of downsizing to the mini version!!

 

[eXXon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyandSun

Thanks. If I am sticking to budget, the only R9 card really is the Asus R9290-4GD5. I want to check my 650W PSU can handle it - the power requirements for the R9 appear to be 300W, but surely that is too low??

As for the case, the Define R4 is for a full size motherboard, that's why I was thinking of downsizing to the mini version!!

Don't know where the word False came from lol.

The 290 consumes around 265w under load (source) and quality PSUs (like the one you chose) can deliver its full rated output 24/7 for years without issue.

If your CPU+GPU are under 100% load at the same time (which is rare unless folding....etc) then the entire power consumption of your system will be less than 400w.
Gaming it would be much lower.

I'm not an expert on small cases so I really can't provide anymore suggestions or advice on it.

ASUS is a good brand but heard horror stories on their RMA service (returning the same product over and over without fixing it, shipping back damaged products....etc).

 

[SkyandSun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXXon

Don't know where the word False came from lol.

The 290 consumes around 265w under load (source) and quality PSUs (like the one you chose) can deliver it's full rated output 24/7 for years without issue.

If your CPU+GPU are under 100% load at the same time (which is rare unless folding....etc) then the entire power consumption of your system will be less than 400w.
Gaming it would be much lower.

I'm not an expert on small cases so I really can't provide anymore suggestions or advice on it.

ASUS is a good brand but heard horror stories on their RMA service (returning the same product over and over without fixing it, shipping back damaged products....etc).

Brilliant, thank you. You've been very helpful! Changed my graphics card to something more powerful for the same price... !

 

[eXXon]

You're welcome mate.

 

[SkyandSun]

Hey again,

Although this is off-topic in a thread about motherboards, I wanted to get your opinion on my current suggested build, as you were helpful in the past. http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/39kyU

This is the absolute maximum of my budget.

I can save about £80 by changing the graphics card to a GTX 770 2GB. I only intend to game at 1080p, but over the next few years, even at that res, I feel the more powerful graphics card will be useful. Would you agree?
(as an aside, I researched the 290s to get one that ran at reasonable temps and noise.)

Alternatively I could get the lower graphics card and upgrade something else - eg. get a z87 mobo and 4670k CPU, which would allow the possibility of overclocking down the road (I wouldn't do this initially and it's not really a priority for me, although it's something that might be fun to start to do).

Incidentally - the Powercolor 290s are pretty big, taking up three expansion slots. I have looked at the mATX mobo I have in my build in pictures and I THINK it would fit - given that I need a PCIe (not PCI) slot for the wireless card - but a second opinion would be good before I buy... ! Maybe I need to get the full ATX mobo...

Thanks!

 

[MacG32]

Try starting a new thread here: http://www.overclock.net/f/8/intel-general You'll get better help that way and more eyes on your post.

 

[SkyandSun]

Thanks! I did look for a better forum but couldn't see a general build advice one.