Picking an i5-4670K Board

[Lil Frier]

Over in the CPU forum, I was discussing getting a new CPU, and finally (after the $150 i5-3570K sold out at the nearest Micro center) decided I'd go with the 4670K. Now, I am trying to decide on a board, and could use a last bit of input on some options.

First-off: What's UEFI BIOS? I've heard of it a little, but I wanted to know if there are any specific benefits I should be looking for UEFI-enabled boards over, or if every board's likely to come with it at this stage. Additionally, is there anything I need to know about setting up a PC that has UEFI over the older BIOS?

I'm down to deciding between these three ASUS boards (all boards based on post-discount prices at Micro Center):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131982 @$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131980 @$134.99

The other side of this, I have a pair of ASRock boards to compare the ASUS ones to:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157370 @$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157369 @$89.99 ($79.99 if the mail-in rebate works)

I don't think I see a reason to spend the extra $45 on the ASUS Z87-PLUS board, unless that CPU profile thing they have is actually any good (no idea, thoughts?).

So it becomes a question of what the Extreme4 offers over he Pro4, because the extra connectors (extra USB headers, eSATA, DisplayPort) don't do me much good. After that, I don't know if the ASUS Z87-C (which has worse reviews) is worth considering against either ASRock one, unless anyone has any anecdotal information to suggest otherwise?

And, of course, any other hats people wish to throw into the ring are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Shmee]

I glanced at your other thread, and since you are considering Ocing, a decent (not overkill) board would be good. I have been using MSI recently, and so far they seem to have some very nice boards as of recent times. They also tend to be reasonably priced.

I can tell you that you want the UEFI bios, though any modern board should come with it. Its no biggy, there are a few technical differences, but overall, its just nicer.

One last thing to recommend, is a good CPU cooler, if you don't already have that squared away.

Also, since I don't know the rest of your specs, a few simple pieces of advice: SSDs are good, for gamers, enthusiasts and regular users alike; make sure you have the RAM, and GPU to power everything if you're gaming, and don't forget a quality PSU to power those!

But since this is mainly about motherboards, I will just leave you with my opinion: can't go wrong with something ending in GD55 or GD65 (Good MSI boards) or UD5 (high gigabyte model) for that matter.

 

[zir_blazer]

UEFI is a new standard that is set to replace old standard BIOS, which is based on compatibility with legacy code from 40 years ago. The problem is that so far, it doesn't seem an improvement in practice. Supposedly the best thing you can currently get out of it is faster boot times, specifically with a Windows 8 option that also requieres a UEFI-enabled Video Card (GOP I think that feature is called).
I didn't saw any other feature worth mentioning that has practical usefulness for the end user. Is just if you dislike that your brand new computer boots with code from the prehistoric era.

 

[Lil Frier]

I've got everything else pretty-much squared away. I've got 32 GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws X 1866 RAM. I've got a Corsair 750 W 80 PLUS Gold Modular PSU. I've got a, ASUS DirectCU Radeon 5850 (I know it won't handle everything, but it'll be fine for everything I plan to play, at least). I've already picked a 4670K out, should be going to get it today. I've got a Rosewill Blackhawk that I'm very happy with on the case side as well.

I haven't decided to get a cooler yet for a couple of reasons. The main thing is that, like I said, I have a 5850. It's solid, but not spectacular. The other matter is that I don't have any experience with OCing, so I want to read up on, and understand everything about it, first. My intention is that I'll graduate college and have a birthday at the end of May, so I'll probably use some birthday/graduation money on a new GPU, which is when I'd consider OCing (I'd also grab a cooler then).

As for the storage, I've got that stuff picked out, but I'm undecided on what I'll get right now. I'm either going to replace my 640-GB WD Caviar Black (read: sell it to my cousin, if he wants it) and get a 1-TB Caviar Blue. If my cousin doesn't want the Caviar Black (and gets his own HDD), I might grab a SSD then (Samsung 840 EVO 120-GB). Considering it's going to be about $300 to get the CPU and board, I just can't justify spending another $150 for storage. $60 for the HDD OR $90 for the SSD, but not both. This is another thing I'd wait until May to upgrade (getting a SSD then if I get a HDD now and vice versa).

As for the boards, the Micro Center I am headed to is out of the Gigabyte of that model, and the MSI is another $50 above where the ASRock and ASUS are. Beyond that, while I know and accept that brand problems are anecdotal, I hear more complaints about MSI and Gigabyte than ASRock and ASUS, so I'm kind-of set on getting one of those 4 boards, unless someone can present me with something in a similar price range that is legitimately better.

 

[schmuckley]

Biostar Hi-Fi z87x 3d would be good in this situation.
It's definitely capable of pushing a chip to its limits safely.

 

[nwo]

I'd stay away from the ASRock Z87 PRO3 since it only has one PCI-e 16x slot. I like to think that from my personal experience with both brands, Asus is better than ASROCK for simple minded users like myself. I have not used an MSI board in nearly a decade, but they were my favorite back in the day and they have pretty good customer service (RMA policy).

 

[Lil Frier]

I grabbed the Extreme4 for $90, seems to be the go-to board in 4670K builds, in most cases. The reason I was willing to consider the single-PCI-E Pro is that I don't intend to ever run 2 GPUs. I am fine with a single card, as I will probably replace my 5850 with a 280X or something in the summer, after I get birthday and graduation money (while also hoping the price inflation from mining dies down).

 

[gsuburban]

The Asus Z87 Plus is a good choice because it has a few more connections such as: Display Port, 2 PCI slots and if you compare the two at the Asus website, it's the features, not performance that differ from all the Z87 models.

UEFI bios has been the new bios standard for about 3 years now. It's more user friendly and has smart features such as remembering custom settings, personal notes, last configuration used plus it is in a nice GUI. The Asus UEFI experience is also more technical and configurable than the previous Mega bios.

When it comes to Asus Z87 boards, don't worry that performance is better with the more expensive models such as the Deluxe. Starting with the Pro model, they add Wireless LAN directly from the board. I've had that feature on several Asus boards and never used it in any kind of network I've had. The Plus is the best value from my research while the Pro version has a difference sound chip, wireless etc., you would have to figure if the added cost is going to fetch more value but not based on performance as they all perform the same...outstanding.

The Asrock Extreme 4 is a good choice too. Note...The Intel HD Graphics will likely surprise you. The 4670K has a newer version of Intel HD and the reviews indicate performance is great for those who watch DVD's or Blue Ray. If you plan to game then it's time to add the HD Graphics card into the PCIx16 slot.

 

[*kjm]

I grabbed the Extreme4 for $90, seems to be the go-to board in 4670K builds, in most cases. The reason I was willing to consider the single-PCI-E Pro is that I don't intend to ever run 2 GPUs. I am fine with a single card, as I will probably replace my 5850 with a 280X or something in the summer, after I get birthday and graduation money (while also hoping the price inflation from mining dies down).

I'm doing the same as you..... just got a 4770k for $270 from Tiger Direct with AMX coupon and ended up getting a ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Professional from Newegg for $170. The Fatal1ty had everything I wanted (Intel Lan. great sound) and has come down from $250 to $170 making it a viable choice. I'm sitting on my 5870 and will wait for the 280x to drop to MSRP.

Coming from an I7 860 and a 5870 I wanted to do the video first but with the prices the way they are now I ended up going CPU/MB and can wait for the GPU's to drop.

Edit.... MB link.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157377

 

[Lil Frier]

Yeah, I might look at a 280X as well in the summer. Metro: Last Light is the most graphically-intensive game in my library right now, and its recommended card is the 5850 (of which I have the ASUS Voltage Tweak model). I ALMOST looked at the i7, which was $250 at Micro Center, but I don't do rendering or streaming or anything beyond gaming and general browsing, so I had no need to blow another $50 on HT that games wouldn't use.

It came down to the simple fact that I'd had my PC for 4 years. I was given an extra PSU and video card, and I basically had 2 of every part but CPU, motherboard, and HDD. I went and got all 3, and I'm going to sell the old build to my cousin (already set it up). I don't NEED the video card right now, so what I'll do is take the stock i5 and board for now, then I'll have a graduation and birthday in May. At that time, I'm hoping the mining craze will slow, and the new Nvidia stuff will launch, meaning AMD stuff won't be $500 for anything good.

Once that happens, I'll look into OCing my i5, I'll grab a CM 212 EVO like most everyone uses, and I'll see what cards cost. I'd LIKE to get up to the 290 series, but I don't see them dropping form $600 to $300 in 5 months. However, the $400-ish 280X cards could get down around there perhaps, and that'd suit me well. If they don't drop, I'll probably just wait until they do, because I don't want/need to throw $300 at a video card in the near-future.

That board you got though, I'd say it's WAY overkill (at least, in terms of price). I got everything I wanted from the Extreme4 and a bit more (extra USB headers, for example), and since I'm not using surround sound on my PC, I don't care to get the super-duper sound.

 

[*kjm]

That board you got though, I'd say it's WAY overkill (at least, in terms of price). I got everything I wanted from the Extreme4 and a bit more (extra USB headers, for example), and since I'm not using surround sound on my PC, I don't care to get the super-duper sound.

True but the last three builds I did I went with lower end MB’s and just got sick of the bad onboard sound so I said what the heck. I looked at the gaming MB’s for the sound improvement and most had the Killer Lan and I wanted to stick with Intel Lan because I just have more faith in their drivers for the five years I will likely keep this set up. The MB listed for around $250 and I thought that was out of line but for $170 I think it’s a steal.
You said you didn’t need the sound options so I think you picked the right board and I’m sure you will be happy…. They are close to the same setup without the sound. I almost bit on the Extreme4/TB4 for the Thunderbolt but it’s only listed as having a one year warranty on Newegg.

 

[Conroe]

When I was looking at mobos I found most all Z87 boards had most of the features I'd like so I picked the cheapest one with a good VRM and crossfire support. That was the Boistar Hi-Fi Z87W (didn't need good audio either, my son uses a USB headset.) It has a 10 phase VRM. Reviews seem hit or miss. I've not had a problem with it. Team 2400 is working fine at rated specs. I haven't pushed the voltage on the overclock yet. I found 4.2ghz at 1.13v was unstable. 4ghz at 1.1v is working fine a few hours into prime95 right now. Time to play with voltages.

 

[schmuckley]

No problems with Biostar voltages once you figure them out..
The numbers correspond to what they are..
i.e. 1140=1.140v=1140mv
It's different than any other BIOS, though.
I kinda like it..Clean,simple.
I 2nd the Hi-Fi z87w
While having no personal experience with the "w"
I had the other one
http://valid.canardpc.com/2897134
No problems with voltage whatsoever..chip coldbugging..yes..
voltage with board..NO

 

[Conroe]

Nice OC there. I got mine to 4.5ghz stable at 1.25v but it hit 95c with IBT (212 EVO.)