Help Wanted: Choosing Mobo

[Asher0012]

Hey all!

 

I'm looking at building a dedicated PC gaming rig for 2014. It is my first attempt at it and I'm really having a hard time figuring out which motherboard to use. After doing some research for a few hours, I'm stuck between the Maximus Hero and the G.1Sniper—additionally, are there any other contenders you might think I should consider? Any advice to help me make my decision would be greatly appreciated!

 

• My build:    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uw2r
• Hero:          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989
• Sniper:       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128671

 

Additional Info:

• I don't plan to ever do 4-way SLI but I do think I might do 2-way if my 780 slows down when I get the new 1440p 120hz monitor from ROG
• I do plan to dabble with OCing—however, I am new so a BIOS with training wheels would be an advantage
• Reliablility and durability are important to me as well

[Sheldon_King]

 

Hey all!

 

I'm looking at building a dedicated PC gaming rig for 2014. It is my first attempt at it and I'm really having a hard time figuring out which motherboard to use. After doing some research for a few hours, I'm stuck between the Maximus Hero and the G.1Sniper—additionally, are there any other contenders you might think I should consider? Any advice to help me make my decision would be greatly appreciated!

 

• My build:    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uw2r
• Hero:          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989
• Sniper:       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128671

 

Additional Info:

• I don't plan to ever do 4-way SLI but I do think I might do 2-way if my 780 slows down when I get the new 1440p 120hz monitor from ROG
• I do plan to dabble with OCing—however, I am new so a BIOS with training wheels would be an advantage
• Reliablility and durability are important to me as well

 

Of the two you choose there, I would go for the Asus, but only because of colouration. (I hate green).  

 

On teh BIOS, training wheels are not necessary. Just don't touch any settings other than Multiplier and vCore and you will be fine. 

[Asher0012]

Gotchya, I am kinda going for a green theme to be honest because my mouse and keyboard are green. However, I dont want that to impact my choice too much—primarily I'm worried about performance and compatibility with the rest of my setup.

 

Do you think that either board would do fine?

[Asher0012]

Of the two you choose there, I would go for the Asus, but only because of colouration. (I hate green).  

 

On teh BIOS, training wheels are not necessary. Just don't touch any settings other than Multiplier and vCore and you will be fine. 

 

Gotchya, I am kinda going for a green theme to be honest because my mouse and keyboard are green. However, I dont want that to impact my choice too much—primarily I'm worried about performance and compatibility with the rest of my setup.

 

Do you think that either board would do fine?

[Sheldon_King]

Do you think that either board would do fine?

Either one will be fine with overclocking, and are compatible. 

[Asher0012]

Awesome, thanks!

[Jumper118]

 

Hey all!

 

I'm looking at building a dedicated PC gaming rig for 2014. It is my first attempt at it and I'm really having a hard time figuring out which motherboard to use. After doing some research for a few hours, I'm stuck between the Maximus Hero and the G.1Sniper—additionally, are there any other contenders you might think I should consider? Any advice to help me make my decision would be greatly appreciated!

 

• My build:    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uw2r
• Hero:          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989
• Sniper:       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128671

 

Additional Info:

• I don't plan to ever do 4-way SLI but I do think I might do 2-way if my 780 slows down when I get the new 1440p 120hz monitor from ROG
• I do plan to dabble with OCing—however, I am new so a BIOS with training wheels would be an advantage
• Reliablility and durability are important to me as well

 

i would go with the green stuff black/red is so boring and common these days. neither board will make any difference to overclocking as haswell cpus are not going to push them anyway. i would go with whichever is cheapest or looks best.

[nixproducer]

Gotchya, I am kinda going for a green theme to be honest because my mouse and keyboard are green. However, I dont want that to impact my choice too much—primarily I'm worried about performance and compatibility with the rest of my setup.

 

Do you think that either board would do fine?

well i would go with the sniper if you want a green theme and for a red theme get the hero

[Nickolas47]

i really like rog boards i would choose hero

[NUFCThomas]

Check out the Asus Z87-A http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z87a

It is a similar price or cheaper than the other two Mobo's, has a fairly nice colour on it and has 3 way sli

[Langdon]

They will both perform the same so pick whichever looks best and is cheapest (as said above).

Personally I like Gigabyte more than Asus and if you're going for a green theme then the G1 Sniper is a definite choice.

[Asher0012]

Thanks everyone for your input! I think I'll go with the Sniper

 

I pulled an all-nighter putting this build together and now am thinking about running it through this wonderful community one more time to finalize it before I start ordering the components. If you'd like to help me (yet again), I would greatly appreciate it!!!

[Faceman]

 

Hey all!

 

I'm looking at building a dedicated PC gaming rig for 2014. It is my first attempt at it and I'm really having a hard time figuring out which motherboard to use. After doing some research for a few hours, I'm stuck between the Maximus Hero and the G.1Sniper—additionally, are there any other contenders you might think I should consider? Any advice to help me make my decision would be greatly appreciated!

 

• My build:    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uw2r
• Hero:          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989
• Sniper:       http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128671

 

Additional Info:

• I don't plan to ever do 4-way SLI but I do think I might do 2-way if my 780 slows down when I get the new 1440p 120hz monitor from ROG
• I do plan to dabble with OCing—however, I am new so a BIOS with training wheels would be an advantage
• Reliablility and durability are important to me as well

 

Please, please, please do not spend more than $100 on a motherboard, it is not necessary.  Watch this video that shows motherboards don't impact performance.  Go with the least expensive Z87 that is either SLI capable or not SLI capable.  SLI capable should cost you $100-$110.  Non-SLI capable should cost you $80-$85.

 

I recommend going with a lower voltage RAM.  You don't want to exceed 1.5v.  Get the least expensive 9-9-9-24, 1600/1866Mhz, 1.5v RAM you can find.  Brand doesn't matter.

A Hyper 212 EVO is a very very capable CPU cooler, I have one myself on my i5 and it rocks, temperatures never reach 80C on my 4.7Ghz OC.  Save some money and get a Hyper 212 EVO.

 

Here is an updated build.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uCnG

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uCnG/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3uCnG/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($209.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: MSI Z87-G55 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($113.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($89.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($54.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card  ($509.99 @ Newegg)

Case: BitFenix Ronin ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($129.99 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM LED 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($13.60 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre PWM LED 56.1 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($13.60 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SPRO-P14025KK-RP 122.2 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.20 @ Newegg)

Case Fan: BitFenix BFF-SPRO-P14025KK-RP 122.2 CFM 140mm  Fan  ($15.20 @ Newegg)

Other: BitFenix Alchemy LED Strip 60cm (GREEN) ($27.99)

Total: $1377.48

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-19 15:11 EDT-0400)