Need help decidng which ATX 1155 motherboard

[ddpaulb]

I am running a i5-2400.
XFX Radeon HD6850 (no plan to crossfire).

I want ATX for the space between cards and the distance from cpu for HD6850.
I'm looking at
ASUS: Z77-A LGA,
P8Z68-V-PRO-PB,
Gigabyte: GA-Z77-DS3H,
GA-P75-D3,
P67A-D3-B3

I am concerned with long term reliability.

 

[abekl]

There can't be many of the 1155 motherboards left to choose from. See if you can get a Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H. A very good mid-range board at about 140 when it was current. Not sure what it goes for now.

 

[Charlie98]

I would go with a 7-series board no matter what, but make sure they have a BIOS update for that Sandy CPU. As far as PCIe space from the CPU, the top slot will be about the same distance for any board (ATX vs. mATX. Usually based on offset from the RAM slots, not the CPU slot.)
Following that criteria, the only boards I would look at on your list are the ASUS and Gigabyte boards; of those, the ASUS is on sale for $80 (AR.) However, I would probably go with this ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA board for $82 over the ASUS.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I would go with a 7-series board no matter what, but make sure they have a BIOS update for that Sandy CPU.

That's the other way round, all 7-series boards should support Sandy out of the box. It's Ivy Bridge that needs a BIOS update at times...

To the OP:

That said, for 1155, I'd definitely get a board with a 7-series chipset. "Upgrading" to a 6-series seems completely pointless. Also be aware that the B75 only has a single SATA3 port. It's not much of an issue if you don't need more, but it's something to keep in mind...

 

[Charlie98]

That's the other way round, all 7-series boards should support Sandy out of the box. It's Ivy Bridge that needs a BIOS update at times....

Yes, that's right... I had a brane cramp.

That B75 I linked has 3 SATA3 ports...

 

[Insert_Nickname]

That B75 I linked has 3 SATA3 ports...

Oops. You're quite right, it has three SATA3 ports. However two of those are furnished from an ASMedia 1061 PCIe controller (lower performance). The chipset itself only has one.

Perhaps I should check my brain too. It might be in need of a reset...

 

[Charlie98]

Oops. You're quite right, it has three SATA3 ports. However two of those are furnished from an ASMedia 1061 PCIe controller (lower performance). The chipset itself only has one.

Perhaps I should check my brain too. It might be in need of a reset...

Reset your brain BIOS? Just remember to check for current BIOS version first...

 

[coffeejunkee]

As far as PCIe space from the CPU, the top slot will be about the same distance for any board (ATX vs. mATX. Usually based on offset from the RAM slots, not the CPU slot.)

ATX usually has a pci-e x1 slot above the first pci-e x16 slot so there is more space between the gpu and cpu cooler on ATX boards vs. mATX.

I had this 'problem' too on my mATX board but I moved my card to the second slot. It's pci-e 3.0 x8 which is plenty for my card.

I say 'problem' because I don't think it's really a problem at all and certainly not worth buying a new board. If my board didn't have a second pci-e slot I would just live with the 5 degrees or so higher temps.

 

[Kenmitch]

Why do you need more space between the cpu and the gpu? The space between the two isn't as important as good case airflow.

I doubt it's more cramped than my mITX mb with a 212 EVO and a r9 290 TriX.

 

[ddpaulb]

It sounds like I should stick to mATX and save $35 or $40. Are there any under $60 mAtx cases with good airflow? Or should I buy an ATX mid tower?

 

[Skott]

Well, if space is a major concern to you then a mid tower atx that also takes matx is probably the best way to go. What you want does exist you just have to find one in your price range. The choices are many. Which matx case do you currently have?

 

[coffeejunkee]

It sounds like I should stick to mATX and save $35 or $40. Are there any under $60 mAtx cases with good airflow? Or should I buy an ATX mid tower?

Fractal Design Core 1000 is probably the cheapest mATX case with decent airflow. It's on sale now for $40 at Newegg. Just need to add an extra 92mm fan in the back.

An ATX case will likely have better airflow and more fan options. But there are so many available it would be better for you to search for some models you like and then ask back here if they are any good.

But first tell us what mobo and case you have. Maybe you just need to add a casefan. Also, tell us your cpu/gpu temps, maybe there's no problem at all.

 

[ddpaulb]

I am getting a new mobo for my i5-2400 and a new case. My In Win Manna 134's front usb 2.0 doesn't work and neither do the audio jacks. It's the case not the mobo. I tried another mobo I have and they don't work with it either.

I will research and list a few mobo and case choices.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Seeing the Asus Z77-A is $80 after rebate now at Newegg I would go for that. Looks like a solid board.

Still don't really understand why you would go for a new mobo though. Just a new case will fix the port issue.

Your current case looks like it has good airflow. Are you actually having temp problems like throttling/pc shutting down? Maybe you have high ambient temps?

 

[ddpaulb]

I had a MSI Z77A-G43. It died. I am using a ASRock H61 (which I don't like) until I get a new one.

 

[ddpaulb]

Here's what I'm considering.


mATX Cases: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352032

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...090028&sr=1-25

ATX Cases: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Graphi...093497&sr=1-88

mATX Motherboards: http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-DDR3-...095109&sr=1-66

http://www.amazon.com/P8B75-M-CSM-In...095109&sr=1-67

ATX Motherboards: http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel...095141&sr=1-93

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128547

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131965

Would 1.5v 1333 memory that I already have be compatible with any of these mobos?

 

[Charlie98]

Your 1.5v RAM needs to be DDR3... then, yes.

I made a budget build in a Core 1000, pretty decent case but the hard drives mount oddly vertical on a removable 'plate'; kind of funky but it works. There is also no room behind the mobo plate to route wires. The better alternative would be the Fractal Arc Mini... I just built my backup desktop in one of those. Either case has plenty of ventilation. My Core 1000 build:



...and most current build... H81 board in Arc Mini (excuse the wiring mess, I'm waiting on an adapter cable for the GPU.)



I have the sister board to that Gigabyte B75 mobo, the -D3H, in my HTPC, I like it a lot. The -HD3 only has one SATA3 port, though... not really a problem if you are only running a single SSD.

 

[ddpaulb]

Your 1.5v RAM needs to be DDR3... then, yes.

I made a budget build in a Core 1000, pretty decent case but the hard drives mount oddly vertical on a removable 'plate'; kind of funky but it works. There is also no room behind the mobo plate to route wires. The better alternative would be the Fractal Arc Mini... I just built my backup desktop in one of those. Either case has plenty of ventilation. My Core 1000 build:



...and most current build... H81 board in Arc Mini (excuse the wiring mess, I'm waiting on an adapter cable for the GPU.)



I have the sister board to that Gigabyte B75 mobo, the -D3H, in my HTPC, I like it a lot. The -HD3 only has one SATA3 port, though... not really a problem if you are only running a single SSD.

Thank you.
I have marked the Core 1000 off my list.
I like the Define Mini Interior and size but not the open top.

Good to know about the Gig B75 mobo. Reliability is paramount.