Best motherboard for gamer who doesn't overclock?

[AndarielHalo]

I know you recommend a 2500k, but I still feel like getting a i7 with hyperthreading and whatevs. Do you still recommend a Z77 board? If so, which in particular? As in, Z77 LX, V, Deluxe, M Pro, M?

 

[Kipper]

I just finished putting together the P8Z77 Deluxe board with the 3770K on it; I am writing a review of this board for ASUS US right now. I currently have a 16GB kit of 2133MHz on it. ASUS is sending me a pair of HD7970s to mount on it for testing but right now I have a single HD7850 on it which is an OK card but I prefer the ASUS GTX560Ti 448 core card myself.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I've found the military spec boards by MSI very stable and extremely flexible to set up what ever your level or interest is.
MSI Z77A-GD65 Intel 7 Series Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Intel Z77 Express, 2667MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA III (6Gbs), RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0, SLICrossFireX Ready at TigerDirect

 

[kpo6969]

3570K + Asrock Extreme4
bang for the buck

 

[Kipper]

Yep, the ASRock Extreme4 is a darn good board also. The MSI boards do have quality components but their BIOS tends to be buggy then then again they are on their 2nd generation of the EUFI where ASUS on their 8th generation now.

 

[AndarielHalo]

Amazon.com: ASRock DDR3 2400 Intel - LGA 1155 Motherboards (Z77 EXTREME4-M): Computers & Accessories


This one? Is it better than or equal to this one?

Amazon.com: ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1155 Motherboard: Computers & Accessories



Also related question: Are motherboards physically secure and stable enough to be delivered without the risk of DOA? Related: are CPU's physically secure and stable enough?

 

[smarteyeball]

So being that I basically want a computer twice as fast as my ass,

That's hard to quantify - do you have benchmarks for the speed of your ass?

Also related question: Are motherboards physically secure and stable enough to be delivered without the risk of DOA? Related: are CPU's physically secure and stable enough?

There's always a risk of DOA with mobos. Even if it's bought from a store. Cpu's - no problems.

Instead of focusing on a boards OC potential, focus on the extra features that some of the higher tier boards have. All boards will overclock. Some are simply more geared towards it.

ie Do you ever plan on running dual GPU's?

(Some of the cheaper versions will only give you x4 if you add a second card)

Both of those board will suit you well if you never plan on adding a second card. (On paper the asrock gets the nod)

But if you do, The asrock will let you run two cards at x8/x8 but the Asus will be limited to x8/x4 which will hurt performance. it also appears to be limited to AMD crossfire - no nvidia SLI if you ever swap over to nvidia.

I just finished putting together the P8Z68 Deluxe board with the 3770K on it; I am writing a review of this board for ASUS US right now. I currently have a 16GB kit of 2133MHz on it.

The Asus P8Z68 Deluxe gen3 (same board in my specs?) If so I can save you a bit of trouble - it runs like a scalded rat

 

[dwarfer66]

I have just upgraded to a Gigabyte Z77MX-D3H (I dont really plan on overclocking either) it was $139AU, about the same in $US, and the CPU is a i5-3570k. That board does me fine. Check it out GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-Z77MX-D3H (rev. 1.0). It is a Nvidia SLI board as well, I will be running 2x GTX 560.

 

[Zepher]

Yes, that would be a really nice gaming machine but it looks like the OP is trying to keep the price down the best way possible and still have a decent gamer.

The processor is $10 more than a 2500k. Z77 boards are similarly priced to the others.
The video card is the most expensive part, which is up to the op to choose from.

 

[Kipper]

Wooops, sorry smarty

I meant the P8Z77 Deluxe, that's what I just received from ASUS and finished setting except for the new cards.

But you are so right on about the P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3; one hell of a performer for sure.

To Andarie

If you go with the 3770K then I suggest you go with the Z77 board; several worthwhile goodies that come with the Z77 chipset.

 

[Kipper]

Yes, that would be a really nice gaming machine but it looks like the OP is trying to keep the price down the best way possible and still have a decent gamer.

The processor is $10 more than a 2500k. Z77 boards are similarly priced to the others.
The video card is the most expensive part, which is up to the op to choose from.

The OP said she was looking at the 2600K and that my friend is a 100 bucks more than the 2500K. I can understand why there is some confusion in the thread now with so many recommendations flying around. LOL

 

[smarteyeball]

Wooops, sorry smarty

I meant the P8Z77 Deluxe, that's what I just received from ASUS and finished setting except for the new cards.

I figured that might have been the one - all these different chipsets are enough to make your head spin after a while

But you are so right on about the P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3; one hell of a performer for sure.

It's been a stellar board for me that's for sure. It'd be interesting to see what the Z77 version brings to the table by comparison.

To Andarie

If you go with the 3770K then I suggest you go with the Z77 board; several worthwhile goodies that come with the Z77 chipset.

+ 1

 

[Zepher]

Yes, that would be a really nice gaming machine but it looks like the OP is trying to keep the price down the best way possible and still have a decent gamer.

The processor is $10 more than a 2500k. Z77 boards are similarly priced to the others.
The video card is the most expensive part, which is up to the op to choose from.

The OP said she was looking at the 2600K and that my friend is a 100 bucks more than the 2500K. I can understand why there is some confusion in the thread now with so many recommendations flying around. LOL

Seems the 2600k is down to $290 at newegg, so it's only $70 more than the 2500k.
Prices are so close, I'd go with the 2600k.
The non-k 2600 costs more for some reason.

 

[AndarielHalo]

I already have a AMD Radeon HD 6850. It's been fast running and smooth and great, though as I posted in another thread, it kept doing the "Display driver has stopped responding and has recovered" minor nuisance. Given that I sent the first one back and the second one did the same, it's obviously a problem with my other hardware, incompatibility with my Peggy-tron or poor amateur installation without having first removed all Nvidia elements first.


Still, I'm wary towards AMD products despite this largely being my own problem. As such, I'd prefer a motherboard that supports NVIDIA as well as AMD video cards.


Unless the driver does the same thing on my new motherboard, cpu, and ram, I won't bother upgrading that yet, so I can afford to splurge on the CPU, so long as it's not a pointless affectation like 3% increase in speed for an extra $50.


Also, something about a board running like a scalded rat made me hesitate. Surely scalded rats don't run very well... if they're scalded enough, they might be fully dead. You meant it as a good thing?


The P8Z77 deluxes I see on Amazon are all quite expensive, more than $100 more than the regular V and LX ones, and more than the Maximus IV Gene-Z

 

[Layback Bear]

Are we still on the same thoughts. The OP stipulated (No Overclocking). Boards and chip that are great overclocker in my thought was not needed or to be considered. Functionality and reliability of a motherboard for chosen Intel chip to my understanding is what was requested by AndarielHalo.

 

[AndarielHalo]

I think for motherboard I'm down to settling on one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-DDR3-2...UTF8&colid=3RYLMY88V8PT&coliid=I3OJ2290SNRMSW


Amazon.com: ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 ATX DDR3 2400 LGA 1155 Motherboard: Computers & Accessories



Which would be best?