Opinion needed for new rig build

[deltatux]

So I just found out that there is a non-WiFi version of the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H and it's cheaper than the ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard.

Both still have their pros and cons though now I'm leaning more to the UD5H because it has two gigabit ethernet adapters (could care less about WiFi tbh as the only reason why I would use it is if it's an emergency ... which is very rare to justify a built-in WiFi) and the front panel USB 3.0 module is included which is not available on other motherboards.

What I do like about the ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard is the fact that there is UASP support on them.

So what do you guys think? If you've voted in the past but want to change your vote because now I added this choice, just post here and I'll reflect the changes on the poll.

deltatux

[Pill Monster]

Originally Posted by deltatux

So I just found out that there is a non-WiFi version of the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H and it's cheaper than the ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard.

Both still have their pros and cons though now I'm leaning more to the UD5H because it has two gigabit ethernet adapters (could care less about WiFi tbh as the only reason why I would use it is if it's an emergency ... which is very rare to justify a built-in WiFi) and the front panel USB 3.0 module is included which is not available on other motherboards.

What I do like about the ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard is the fact that there is UASP support on them.

So what do you guys think? If you've voted in the past but want to change your vote because now I added this choice, just post here and I'll reflect the changes on the poll.

deltatux

Going by how long you've had your M3A, I think you should just get the best, most expensive mobo you can afford.

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

Going by how long you've had your M3A, I think you should just get the best, most expensive mobo you can afford.

Well if it's because of the ASUS brand, it really doesn't make a difference when comparing ASUS with GIGABYTE for me as I have both manufacturers in use in my family.

I'm just trying to get the best value out of my cash.

deltatux

[Pill Monster]

Originally Posted by deltatux

Well if it's because of the ASUS brand, it really doesn't make a difference when comparing ASUS with GIGABYTE for me as I have both manufacturers in use in my family.

I'm just trying to get the best value out of my cash.

deltatux

I wasn't comparing brands, I meant you'll prob keep it for ages so may as well get one with all bells and whistles if you follow me.....

[Agent-A01]

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

Going by how long you've had your M3A, I think you should just get the best, most expensive mobo you can afford.

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

I wasn't comparing brands, I meant you'll prob keep it for ages so may as well get one with all bells and whistles if you follow me.....

Yeah i agree, would just get the P8Z77 V-PRO and be done with it.

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

I wasn't comparing brands, I meant you'll prob keep it for ages so may as well get one with all bells and whistles if you follow me.....

If we're just talking about bells and whistles, GIGABYTE seems to have more on the GA-Z77X-UD5H, no?

deltatux

[Pill Monster]

Originally Posted by deltatux

Well if it's because of the ASUS brand, it really doesn't make a difference when comparing ASUS with GIGABYTE for me as I have both manufacturers in use in my family.

I'm just trying to get the best value out of my cash.

deltatux

In that case are you looking at CF or SLI? If not then why are you looking at multi-gpu boards?

You could get a single gpu mobo with the same options for less money...

Originally Posted by deltatux

If we're just talking about bells and whistles, GIGABYTE seems to have more on the GA-Z77X-UD5H, no?

deltatux

Compared to?

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

In that case are you looking at CF or SLI? If not then why are you looking at multi-gpu boards?

You could get a single gpu mobo with the same options for less money...

Multi-GPU solutions aren't top priority. However, there may be a chance of me using them in the future. Honestly, I needed a board with 8 SATA ports, a minimum of 6 real panel USB ports, need to be durable at a good price. Lucid's MVP solution is wanted as well as I do video encoding and being able to tap into Intel's iGPU for QuickSync would be great.

Unfortunately, all the single GPU boards only come with 6 SATA ports and their durability is questionable.

Originally Posted by Pill Monster

Compared to?

I was comparing the ASUS P8Z77-V and the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H

deltatux

[isidore]

New option for you if you are willing. I for one have changed my mind, gonna get the ASUS P8Z77V-DELUXE
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int...LUXE/#overview
Now this is an extreme motherboard for Overclocking and it has dual LAN and WIFI...

[BLEH!]

Originally Posted by isidore

New option for you if you are willing. I for one have changed my mind, gonna get the ASUS P8Z77V-DELUXE
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int...LUXE/#overview
Now this is an extreme motherboard for Overclocking and it has dual LAN and WIFI...

No PCI though.

[isidore]

Originally Posted by BLEH!

No PCI though.

I don't need PCI, my soundcard uses PCI x1. So yeah, if you need pci slot bad luck.

[Tat3]

Originally Posted by deltatux

So I just found out that there is a non-WiFi version of the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H and it's cheaper than the ASUS P8Z77-V motherboard.

...

So what do you guys think? If you've voted in the past but want to change your vote because now I added this choice, just post here and I'll reflect the changes on the poll.

Oh, I checked that GA-Z77X-UD5H and was going to recommend it but somehow thought that it did not have heatsink at top of CPU VRM so brought up that WiFi version (incase you needed that)... O well.

This one then simply because I prefer Gigabyte over Asus and I think that I have had conversation about this topic with you few times?

[Agent-A01]

for me i like asus > evga > gigabyte. the rest of mobos ive had have been so-so.

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by isidore

New option for you if you are willing. I for one have changed my mind, gonna get the ASUS P8Z77V-DELUXE
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int...LUXE/#overview
Now this is an extreme motherboard for Overclocking and it has dual LAN and WIFI...

Over my budget man lol. Thanks though.

deltatux

[eclap]

how about these 2?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131819

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157299

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by eclap

how about these 2?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131819

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157299

Naw, still over budget.

I just slimmed down the choices to 3. After recalculating my cost to build, the ASUS P8Z77-V is the most I'm willing to spend on a board at $209.99 as I'm also accounting for sales tax.

EDIT: The ASUS board is $20 more expensive and the ASRock board is $60 more expensive in Canada ... which is bullsh*t since the Canadian Dollar is higher right now...

deltatux

[Agent-A01]

Originally Posted by deltatux

EDIT: The ASUS board is $20 more expensive and the ASRock board is $60 more expensive in Canada ... which is bullsh*t since the Canadian Dollar is higher right now...

deltatux

no, but its close to USD. CAD is .02 less than USD has to be another reason it costs more.
that asrock should be 227CAD

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by Agent-A01

no, but its close to USD. CAD is .02 less than USD has to be another reason it costs more.
that asrock should be 227CAD

It's about $289.99 here.

deltatux

[deltatux]

After deep thoughts and countless hours of consultation with people on and offline, I've finally pegged down the final pieces of the rig design. I also went ahead and ordered the parts:



Now to wait for the Intel Core i5 3570K to be in stock...

Thanks for all your input and support.

Cheers,
deltatux

[scheherazade]

+1 for UD5

It just had the best expansion slot layout remaining, after removing 2 slots for a dual-width video card.



asus loses :
top slot = 1x pci-e is occluded
bottom slot = nothing occluded, but mobo headers are slightly blocked

asrock loses :
top slot = nothing (since it has a gap)
mid slot = pci is occluded

ud5 loses :
top slot = 1x pci-e is occluded
mid slot = pci occluded
bottom slot = nothing occluded, but mobo headers are HELLA blocked



That said, the UD5 retains the most slot variety AFTER a card is mounted.


But if you were going with the P8Z77 PREMIUM, than I'd choose that over all the others...



edit
My bad, too late.

At least we agree

-scheherazade

[deltatux]

After a long cross country trek from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Toronto, the first batch of my order came in this afternoon:


Now all I'm waiting for is my Intel Core i5 3570K, Arctic Silver 5 12g tube and my USB 3.0 backplate which is from another retailer.

deltatux

[Agent-A01]

Why AS5? ancient stuff now

[deltatux]

Originally Posted by Agent-A01

Why AS5? ancient stuff now

It works great, I saw no need to change. It's cheaper than the Arctic Cooling MX-4. Plus, the MX-4 doesn't work so well.

deltatux