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Opinions on uATX and MiniITX H97 & Z97 Mboard Please!!

Just picking those boards out of context, the ASRock Z97M Pro4 is 2nd on my list when I fetch a new board next month (the Gigabyte Z97M-D3H is on the top.)

We need to know what CPU you plan to use, and what your purposes are. Generally speaking, mITX carries a cost premium and may limit some features (like dual GPU's or add-on cards,) and the H-series chipset won't overclock a K-series CPU.
 
Charlie98 said:
Just picking those boards out of context, the ASRock Z97M Pro4 is 2nd on my list when I fetch a new board next month (the Gigabyte Z97M-D3H is on the top.)

We need to know what CPU you plan to use, and what your purposes are. Generally speaking, mITX carries a cost premium and may limit some features (like dual GPU's or add-on cards,) and the H-series chipset won't overclock a K-series CPU.
Click to expand...

Good question! I am doing my once-every-3-to-4-years computer build. Right now I have an Wolfdale E3110 Xeon dual core running at 3GHz, an 80GB Intel 320 Series SSD, and 2 x 1TB Samsung 103SJs mirrored. Video is supplied by an ATI Radeon HD 5570 video card (not a gamer, obviously).

So that's it - trying to optimize cost and yet get a screaming machine to last me into 2017 at least, 2018 would be even better.

Did some searching on the Egg and got this for a first swipe at components (5 components in each comparison):

Unclear on how video works now... if video quality is decent, I'd wouldn't mind Intel HD video. But I am confused if all of Intel's video is onboard the CPU, or is there a separate video card?

Regardless, I'd like to leave open the possibility for an upgrade later on - a discrete video card.

Also will need a case, etc. but I assume all of that will be straight-forward.

Thanks!
 
I'm happy with the asrock z97e/itx. The wireless adapter in it seems to work fine; the layout was ok in the elite 130 - though I might consider the corsair 250 if I were to build another one of these. It has some limits - 2 ram slots (I have 2x8GB) 1 full pcie (gtx980) had to make a few tweaks to keep the 4790K from overheating (I think intel foobar communication here with the bios makers - it seems that the bios on most motherboards will run the processor at 100% turbo which is creating some issues). Note that the elite 130 has very limited disk accessibility - you can squeeze in 2 hdd and 1 sdd (but one of the hdd spots is really only accesible before you put in the mb) - I currently have 2 ssd with easy access to a third ssd if I need to expand at a later date.
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btw the z97e was $90 at microcenter (with cpu) + $20 rebate. Three negatives I found with the board (no diagnositc led - non of the itx boards have them) the beeps are not documented (the elite 130 does come with an external beeper) so I had to waste a few hour trying to find the code meanings (previously all mb manuals I had documented the beeps) the m.2 slot is not a great length - the higher capacity m.2 cards won't fit in it so I think it is mostly gimick - also it is on the bottom of the board so would be a pia to replace it or use it after a build.
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Oh yea two other issues only 1x case fan header; and it is not on your list.
 
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Fun Guy said:
Good question! I am doing my once-every-3-to-4-years computer build.
Click to expand...

General Hardware is where you need to go for help with all this... as you mention, just picking the motherboard is just one thing in a pretty involved list of things.... There is an 'answer the questions first' sticky at the top of the page, cut and paste... and then answer the questions in your OP; building a computer is one thing... be we need to know how you are going to use it to get you the most bang for your buck.

As an aside, for general PC use, the Intel onboard graphics are perfectly capable, it's only when you get into things like gaming and such that you need a separate GPU. They are part of the CPU, not a separate component. If all else fails and the Intel graphics don't deliver... just install a suitable GPU. 🙂
 
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