Help Picking A Motherboard

[TechMali]

I'm going to be using the Xeon E3-1231 V3 cpu and Asus Strix GeForce ATX 970 gpu. The thing is, there are so many choices for motherboards that my head is hurting researching.

 

Preferably, the motherboard would have built in wifi but is not a requirement.

128 GB ram support if possible, although 64 is alright and if there are no options, 32.

Also, the fan header placement must be optimal - I hate having to switch around my computer's insides because a fan won't fit where I want it to. I know I could probably get fan header extensions, it just seems better to get it right in the first place, y'know?

Preferably, the motherboard would have sound built in but if not I can always research for a good supported sound card.

Upgrading must be a possiblity - I want to get an i7 core later.

 

It feels like motherboards are a dime a dozen, like any old motherboard would work - but I know that's likely not the case.

 

I was looking at the Asrock Z97 Extreme 6/ac, but I can't seem to find any articles that show exactly where the fan headers are - plus I've heard some mixed reviews, like it's a hit or miss depending on whether you get it to work or not. Also heard the heatsink can be wobbly, which sounds like a dealbreaker in my book - I want my motherboard to last a long time, and flimsy parts won't cut it.

 

Any advice? Is the motherboard I'm looking at okay for my budget gaming PC or would you suggest another? The CPU and GPU just jumped out at me, I knew they were the ones I wanted to get once I researched them - but no motherboard has really stood out to me yet.

[FruitBasketSilex]

Any h97 board.

H97 PC mate is my suggestion.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Your CPU supports a maximum of 32GB anyway, so 128GB support on the motherboard would be pointless. 

 

Do you plan on SLI? If not, there's not much point in going for a Z97 board, you could go for H97 and save money. 

 

@TechMali Make sure you follow your threads so you get notification when people reply. 

[TechMali]

No, I do not plan on SLI. I would like some specific board suggestions, going through them all makes my head hurt lol Sorry if that's a lot to ask. ^^;

[Oshino Shinobu]

No, I do not plan on SLI. I would like some specific board suggestions, going through them all makes my head hurt lol Sorry if that's a lot to ask. ^^;

The MSI H97 PC MATE and Asus H97-PLUS are the two boards I would look at. 

 

The MSI board is a little cheaper, but both are solid. 

[BOTBALL]

I'm going to be using the Xeon E3-1231 V3 cpu and Asus Strix GeForce ATX 970 gpu. The thing is, there are so many choices for motherboards that my head is hurting researching.

 

Preferably, the motherboard would have built in wifi but is not a requirement.

128 GB ram support if possible, although 64 is alright and if there are no options, 32.

Also, the fan header placement must be optimal - I hate having to switch around my computer's insides because a fan won't fit where I want it to. I know I could probably get fan header extensions, it just seems better to get it right in the first place, y'know?

Preferably, the motherboard would have sound built in but if not I can always research for a good supported sound card.

Upgrading must be a possiblity - I want to get an i7 core later.

 

It feels like motherboards are a dime a dozen, like any old motherboard would work - but I know that's likely not the case.

 

I was looking at the Asrock Z97 Extreme 6/ac, but I can't seem to find any articles that show exactly where the fan headers are - plus I've heard some mixed reviews, like it's a hit or miss depending on whether you get it to work or not. Also heard the heatsink can be wobbly, which sounds like a dealbreaker in my book - I want my motherboard to last a long time, and flimsy parts won't cut it.

 

Any advice? Is the motherboard I'm looking at okay for my budget gaming PC or would you suggest another? The CPU and GPU just jumped out at me, I knew they were the ones I wanted to get once I researched them - but no motherboard has really stood out to me yet.

That is a locked CPU, so no need going with a z97 board. Any decent h97 board should be fine for that build. No need spending over $100 on a mobo for that build. 

[H4X3R]

Gigabyte G1.Sniper H6, solid board with a diagnostics LED for well....easy diagnosing of problems. I swear by these little readout codes, all boards without them are a no-go. Oh, and it also has all-solid caps and gigabyte boards are usually known for their longevity but kinda crappy BIOSes for OCing, but since you aren't doing that all is fine.