Lack of FM2+ Mini-ITX Motherboards / Build Advice

[burninatortech4]

I'm concerned with the lack of Mini-ITX options for FM2+. I'd also like some build advice. Thanks AnandTech. This is my first post here.

With the release of Kaveri I'm shocked at the lack of options in the Mini-ITX form factor. Kaveri's niche is largely (I believe) in the SFF and mobile sectors and it's frankly confusing why there are only 2 options to choose from.

GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XN-WIFI

ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+

The first option has loads of complaints that its F1 Bios lacks support for Kaveri and requires a previous generation APU just to flash to a new bios. Honestly, I feel that's a ridiculous oversight on Gigabytes part.

The ASRock option seems better at the moment.

Where are the other options? Only two motherboard choices? Both of which have been out for a long time already? There should be a huge variety to choose from. As of right now the Gigabyte's BIOS issues render it a non-starter for me and it would be nice to have more options than a single ASRock board.

I also need some build advice. My budget is $1500. I'm committed to an AMD build. I'm aware that Intel CPU's have better single thread performance (and I don't really care). My intention with this build is moderate quality gaming and some geospatial analysis with ArcGIS. I like that I have the option for a dGPU later when Kaveri's iGPU starts to show its age. The build I'm looking at right now is as follows (with newegg prices):

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AMD A10-7850K ($184.99)

ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ FM2+ / FM2 AMD A88X (Bolton D4) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard ($99.99)

SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) ($199.99)

AMD Radeon Gamer Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model AG316G2130U2K ($205.99) [ I'm waiting for the R9 Gamer Series Edition to come out with 2400mhz 8gb DIMM's so I can do that instead]

CORSAIR Hydro Series H80i High Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler. 120mm ($89.99)

BenQ Gaming XL2720T Black 27" 1ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor 3D-Ready ($449.99) [This is a substantial part of the price but display quality is extremely important to me]

SILVERSTONE ST65F-G 650W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC ($124.99)

Fractal Design Node 304 FD-CA-NODE-304-BL Black Aluminum / Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case ($69.99)

Total = $1,425.92

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[Madpacket]

Some nice components there but it seems a bit odd to me to spend $1000 on a Kaveri based system. There's little chance you'll be able to use the Kaveri APU to push pixels fast enough for the monitor you're pairing it with unless you run at low non native resolutions. Perhaps if you're thinking about dual graphics where the new drivers are supposed to to smooth out the jitter, or where you use the APU for compute/physics and add in a higher powered radeon for demanding games. I dunno.

As for additional motherboards I think the MSI's ITX board should be available soon which may also be an option.

"http://www.legitreviews.com/ces-2014-msi-shows-new-matx-mini-itx-msi-gaming-motherboards_132859"

 

[burninatortech4]

What about waiting for an Athlon version of Steamroller (when it's released) and a dGPU? Maybe the 260x?

 

[ElFenix]

hexus thinks the gigabytes use less power.


i think your water cooler may be overkill, along with your power supply.

do you need something in particular from the 840 pro vs. the 840 evo or an M500?

as display quality is important to you i don't think i'd be getting a gaming focused monitor. here is what the front page had to say about that particular display

However, when it comes down to my subjective impressions, I’m just not a huge fan of the BenQ XL2720T. The 1080p TN panel just has a washed out, slightly soft look to it. After spending years with IPS displays most of the time, going back to TN was much harder than I expected it to be. The only other 120 Hz display I reviewed previously, the S23A750D from Samsung, had a really bad ergonomic design, a poor OSD, and a really glossy finish, but it also had a screen that I enjoyed looking at more than I do the BenQ. I don’t think TN panels should really get up to 27” as the color and contrast shifts are easy to see at that point, and are distracting.

 

[nenforcer]

I like the ASSRock board and its the one I'm planning on getting because it has the more modern Realtek ALC1150 audio chipset and a Qualcomm Atheros Gig-Ethernet PHY as opposed to a generic Realtek 8111.

 

[burninatortech4]

The Gigabyte board apparently ships with a new Bios now. I'm stuck between choosing the Gigabyte or the ASRock board. Each has features that the other lacks. Which board should I choose?

Any advice would be appreciated.