Motherboard and CPU upgrade

[Vinka]

Hi

I want to make a partial upgrade: only motherboard and CPU. Using mfenn post as a reference I'd buy:

* i5 3570K ($209.99)
* ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ($134.99)
* Cooler Master Hyper 212 (RR-212E-20PK-R2). ($32.99). I have an Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, but I suppose it won't fit the new motherboard/CPU. I need and aftermarket cooler because I live on a tropical country and it's insanely hot here.

My plan to replace the video card and the memory later.

I have some questions:

a) Should I replace/buy more memory right now? I can't buy the corsair model mentioned on mfenn's post because Amazon says it usually ships in more than 1 MONTH.

b) Should I replace the PSU? (I bought the current one on 2009).

c) I won't overclock nor crossfire, is there another motherboard that you'd recommend? Should I buy an i5 3570 instead? I don't like paying for features I won't use.




1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Working (Visual Studio, Sql Server) and a little gaming (RPGs)

2. What YOUR budget is. USD 400 (or USD 650 if I must buy PSU and memory now)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. US (Amazon ONLY)

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from. No, only US Amazon

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. Intel

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

*Antec 902
*PC Power and Cooling S75QB Silencer 750W Quad
*PowerColor HD4790
*Scythe MUSASHI
*OCZ OCZ3P1333LV6GK DDR3 PC3-10666 1333 MHz 6GB Platinum XTC Triple Channel Kits
*LG L227WTG
*Intel 330 240 GB
*2x WD Caviar Black 1 TB (WD1001FALS)
*Mouse, keyboard, DVD Burner

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. No overclocking.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using? 1680x1050 and 1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? This weekend.

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software? No, I just upgraded my PC to Windows 7 64 bits Ultimate

Thanks!

 

[Cerb]

What are you using right now?

Aside from that, you may want to look at another motherboard. IIRC, that ASRock is one of the ones with the hotter voltage regulation FETs. If you find it hard to keep everything cool, it might be worth being a little cautious on that front. Basically, they have the VRM coolers there because they need them. Normally, it's not a big deal, but...

If you're not going to overclock, get the i5-3570 non-K ($195@NE), and entertain a B75 (no RAID, no SRT, 1x6Gbps SATA) or H77 chipset (RAID, SRT, 2x6Gbps SATA). Even if the heat of the voltage regulation is a misplaced worry, that ASRock Z77 board still $30 overpriced, or more, for stock speed use.

Possibilities:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131835
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128555
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128547

You will probably want to include a 2x4GB RAM kit, as well, to give the RAM controller a nice matched set. Any 2x4GB kit, or 2 4GB modlues of the same SKU, if cheaper, from a reputable maker, with decent timings (CAS 9 is a good target), and voltage rating no higher than 1.5V, will do.

Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148656

 

[Torn Mind]

Yes, that Asrock motherboard has been documented to have an older D-PAK MOSFET that likes to run toasty.

Google "asrock extreme4 mosfet" if you want to learn more.

 

[Vinka]

Wow, I didn't think that you guys would answer that fast!

What are you using right now?

I have an ASUS P6T + Intel Core i7 920 + Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus + TUNIQ TX-3 + Four case fans

And thank you for the choices of mohterboards and the suggestion on memory. I'll check their price/availability on Amazon.

Google "asrock extreme4 mosfet" if you want to learn more.

Thank you. I will.

 

[riversend]

OP is not in the US and is restricted to Amazon for purchases. That obviously cuts into choice and price availability quite a bit.

Here is a pretty good H77 mobo from Gigabyte for $95. Since there are no great prices on Amazon for CPUs you may as well stick with the 3570k, the only non-k version of that is even more on Amazon and the remaining i5 Ivy Bridge processors are all within $10 or so.

 

[Vinka]

What about?

i5-3570 $194.99
GA-H77N-WIFI $99.94
Crucial Ballistix Sport Very Low Profile 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3-1600 1.35V $122.95
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO $34.99


Can the motherboard form factor limit my choices of video cards + coolers? My plan is to buy an ATI 7970 or 7950 later.
Can I use my current Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus with this motherboard? Or it's better to buy the EVO?
No comments about the PSU "age"?

 

[Torn Mind]

Hyper 212 Plus is socket compatible with LGA1155. However, if you're using a mini-ITX board, I'm not sure about clearance of the bottom of the cooler with that specific board you listed.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cooler+master+hyper+212+plus+1155+install


With mini-ITX, you are limited to a single GPU configuration. But you can still put in a top-of-the-line card into the board.

Your PSU doesn't need to be changed right now if nothing is wrong.
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...g-silencer-750w-quad-power-supply-review.html

 

[Vinka]

Hyper 212 Plus is socket compatible with LGA1155. However, if you're using a mini-ITX board, I'm not sure about clearance of the bottom of the cooler with that specific board you listed.

Do I need to worry about clearance if I use the EVO with the GA-H77N-WIFI? Returning parts is not an option for me (the cost of shipping it back + shipping the new one here would be greater than the price of the cooler).

With mini-ITX, you are limited to a single GPU configuration. But you can still put in a top-of-the-line card into the board.

Excellent. I prefer to use one video card. I chose that board because the other Gigabyte H77 models only had 3 audio jacks on the back (I have Logitech 5.1 speakers). I wish that it had 2 extra SATA ports instead of WIFI...

Your PSU doesn't need to be changed right now if nothing is wrong.

Great to know.

 

[Cerb]

Do I need to worry about clearance if I use the EVO with the GA-H77N-WIFI? Returning parts is not an option for me (the cost of shipping it back + shipping the new one here would be greater than the price of the cooler).

Yes. I'm not sure that it will work, with the socket that close to the PCIe 16x slot. The cooler is almost as wide as the DIMM slot.

Are you using a Mini-ITX case? If so, clearances could matter for everything. Check out the MSI H77MA-G43, for a MicroATX board with more audio jacks.

 

[mfenn]

I want to make a partial upgrade: only motherboard and CPU. Using mfenn post as a reference I'd buy:

The recommendation of the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 only really makes sense in the context of the bundle deal with RAM. Otherwise it is not worth the money, especially for a non-overclocking build.

 

[mfenn]

What about?

i5-3570 $194.99
GA-H77N-WIFI $99.94
Crucial Ballistix Sport Very Low Profile 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3-1600 1.35V $122.95
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO $34.99


Can the motherboard form factor limit my choices of video cards + coolers? My plan is to buy an ATI 7970 or 7950 later.
Can I use my current Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus with this motherboard? Or it's better to buy the EVO?
No comments about the PSU "age"?

Why are you looking at a mini-ITX board? You have a normal ATX tower and your original choice was also full ATX. Am I missing something here?

Since you're not overclocking, I would look at a non-K CPU and an H77 or B75 motherboard. For example:

Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 $235
ASRock H77 Pro4-M $90
Hyper 212+ $27
Total: $352

The Xeon gets you HyperThreading which can be useful for VS and SQL Server. You give up overclocking and the IGP, but you weren't planning to use those anyway.

 

[Vinka]

Why are you looking at a mini-ITX board? You have a normal ATX tower and your original choice was also full ATX. Am I missing something here?

That was the only Gigabyte H77 board with enough jacks to connect my 5.1 speakers.

Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 $235
ASRock H77 Pro4-M $90
Hyper 212+ $27
Total: $352

Thank you!

I replaced my previous items for your recommendations except the Hyper 212 Plus (my current PC has that exact model).

Is the memory I selected OK?

 

[riversend]

Nice choice on the Xeon for his primary uses.

Yes, the RAM is fine.

 

[Vinka]

Thank you

 

[mfenn]

Yes, the RAM is fine.

Agree.