Selecting a motherboard

[Craig234]

Two years ago I bought an ASRock Z97 Extreme MB for a new PC build. Earlier this year I built it.

I think I bent some pins and it's caused the system to hang when it tries to install updates, though it runs stably other times.

Now a repair shop destroyed the OS and I'm having to start over on the OS and files.

I'm thinking I need to just buy a replacement motherboard and have the system rebuilt.

So, I want to ask whether that same MB is still a good pick or I should consider another.

This is for I think an intel i7-4790K gaming system and I see no reason to change the processor.

It's come down a little in price to $136 + tax. Recommendations?

While I'm at it - trying to think of who to have build it.

 

[whm1974]

Do it yourself, it isn't that hard at all. But be careful this time.

 

[Ketchup]

If you can install all updates and pass a stress test with the new install, the is no need to buy a new motherboard. Z97 motherboards are getting more scarce and more expensive.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Z97 motherboards are getting more scarce and more expensive.

Most of the ones I saw offered at Newegg were $400+.

I'll sell you a NIB MSI Z97 PC Mate, for only $300, OP. Let me know...

Edit: Was serious. Have two left. Great deal compared to Newegg. Mine are brand-new.

(Check my FS/FT sub-forum thread for pictures.)

 

[Ketchup]

Most of the ones I saw offered at Newegg were $400+.

I'll sell you a NIB MSI Z97 PC Mate, for only $300, OP. Let me know...

Do you think he saw that? Lol

 

[Craig234]

Do it yourself, it isn't that hard at all. But be careful this time.

Having done it, I have an idea how hard it is (with the large third party heatsink), and don't want to do it again really.

 

[Craig234]

If you can install all updates and pass a stress test with the new install, the is no need to buy a new motherboard. Z97 motherboards are getting more scarce and more expensive.

After re-installing Windows, I installed updates and for the first time - it completed. Good news.

And then on the next two boots from power-off, it hung during boot, once during spinning dots and once in the login screen. So there's an issue. It's actually dropped a bit in price.

 

[whm1974]

Having done it, I have an idea how hard it is (with the large third party heatsink), and don't want to do it again really.

Maybe you should gotten the i7-4790 instead of the K version. The stock Intel HSF is really simple and easy to install.

 

[Craig234]

Just noticed the less expensive MB for sale is open box, no new ones for sale.

The alternative is trying to fix the current MB by having the pins straightened but I can't find anyone who can or will do that.

 

[Ketchup]

Since the motherboard still isn't right, another option is to sell the 4790k and the RAM and get something newer altogether. I am seeing used 4790k's selling around $280 on eBay tight now. $309 will get you a brand new i7-7700k Kaby Lake on Newegg right night.

 

[Craig234]

I wonder why an i7-4790k used would still sell for so much - about what I paid a couple years ago.

I saw an old receipt recently where I bought 16gm ram for $299, ow.

 

[Ketchup]

You shouldn't be out too much on the RAM either. 16 GB is going between $70 and $100. you can get the ddr4 for ~ $150. It seems like ddr4 is a little high right now, but I haven't been RAM shopping in a while.

 

[bbhaag]

You shouldn't be out too much on the RAM either. 16 GB is going between $70 and $100. you can get the ddr4 for ~ $150. It seems like ddr4 is a little high right now, but I haven't been RAM shopping in a while.

Ram prices are a killer right now. It's one of the main reasons I haven't moved my sons off their LGA1155 platforms. As just a one off example in November of last year I bought this kit off Newegg for $90 shipped. It's now $160.....crazy.
I guess it's cheaper than buying a $400 mainboard for a eol platform but I'm just shocked at how ram prices have risen over the past year.

Anyway, to try and get back on topic are we sure it is a good idea to recommend building a new pc for Craig? His first build did not go to well and he sat on it for two years before he actually built the damn thing so that tells me he had plenty of time to read up on how to build it. He even mentions how he would be uncomfortable building another one.

Maybe it's time to just buy a prebuilt. Here's a nice Acer with decent specs for a good price. I know it's not the ideal suggestion considering this is a tech forum but it does have some merit considering the circumstances.

 

[Ketchup]

He could also buy parts and have (a) a local trusted placed, or (b) a recommended forum member do the assembly. Prebuilt isn't terribly, but getting one with decent graphics from a trusted manufacturer as a decent price can come with its own headaches.

 

[UsandThem]

I'm in agreement with bbhaag. I have seen many posts from the OP with PC problems/issues.

I'd personally keep an eye over at Slickdeals, and buy a prebuilt. There are some really good deals that pop up that cost less than what a person could build themselves (especially with high RAM and GPU prices right now). A couple I have seen over the last several weeks (although most are expired now):

https://slickdeals.net/f/10561000-d...tlet-843-84?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

https://slickdeals.net/f/10518176-d...te-free-s-h?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

https://slickdeals.net/f/10576244-a...ee-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

Plus, he can always buy a base Dell XPS (around $600 on sale), and add a video card. They come with 460w PSUs, and all he would have to do is drop it in (and maybe blow out the dust once a year unlike his previous PC )

https://slickdeals.net/f/10524892-d...-rebate-f-s?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

 

[VirtualLarry]

Or buy a "VirtualLarry Special" custom pre-built. Though, I don't have any with i7-4790Ks or similar in them. Mostly more budget stuff, Ryzen 3 1200, G4560, G3258, etc.
Got a spare GTX1050 2GB GDDR5 dual-fan model right now I could throw into whatever PC.

 

[UsandThem]

Or buy a "VirtualLarry Special" custom pre-built. Though, I don't have any with i7-4790Ks or similar in them. Mostly more budget stuff, Ryzen 3 1200, G4560, G3258, etc.

I think it will be tough to sell him something since you are on his ignore list.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think it will be tough to sell him something since you are on his ignore list.

I guess that will teach me to not call potential future customers out for being an idiot. Whoops. Sorry, Craig.

Edit: I guess I forget, not everyone on these forums are battle-hardened Usenet veterans.

 

[Craig234]

I think it will be tough to sell him something since you are on his ignore list.

As big as the list is, I haven't seen anyone in this thread on it.

 

[UsandThem]

As big as the list is, I haven't seen anyone in this thread on it.

VirtualLarry has posted in several of your recent threads, and has some components/PCs that might work for you.

 

[whm1974]

I guess that will teach me to not call potential future customers out for being an idiot. Whoops. Sorry, Craig.

Edit: I guess I forget, not everyone on these forums are battle-hardened Usenet veterans.

Maybe you should have said he was careless in doing his build, much nicer then being called an idiot.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Maybe you should have said he was careless in doing his build, much nicer then being called an idiot.

I'm pretty sure I didn't call him an idiot for screwing up his build. Mistakes happen to the best of us.

I think it was that he kept going on like it was some sort of problem with Windows 10, when he was attempting to use damaged hardware, and refused to admit that was the actual problem.

Regardless, I apologize. I've developed a temper lately, mostly due to my exposure to my mother, I think. She snaps and gets angry arbitrarily, at like, everything. Old people.