Solved Thoughts on the AS Rock Z77 Professional Motherboard

[fireberd]

I'm in the early stages of looking around for new hardware to build a new desktop PC, for general use and for audio recording (using Sonar X1).

One that has good reviews at newegg.com is the subject M/B. I'm at a disadvantage for building my own. My only other "home built" is the one I'm using now - an Intel DP35DP M/B and a Q6600 CPU. Everything else I've had has been factory built, even though I've been a computer tech for many years.

I'll be going with an i7 CPU and probably the i7 3770K.

 

[essenbe]

I can't speak for the Z77 Professional. But, I have an Asrock P67 Extreme 4 and have built with a Z68 professional. All have worked well. I don't know if this is any help or not, but the best I can do.

 

[A Guy]

This review is hot off the presses!

AnandTech - ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Professional Review - IDE and Floppy on Z77

A Guy

 

[fireberd]

Anandtech isn't thrilled with the board. That's one opinion. I'm not set on this board, just looking for comments. Other Z77 chipset boards will be considered before I lay down the $$. I'm not looking for a "gaming" board, although some do have other features that could be useful. My main appliction will be for audio recording.

My current system is using an Intel board (Foxconn) and Intel will also be considered.

 

[TanyaC]

I was going to buy the ASROCK Extreme4 when I get a few $$ together, because it has the better audio chip, then realising that I use a creative fataility soundcard, I didn't need to worry about the extreme4, the PRo4 would do everything the extreme 4 would do.

The extreme 4 has the better audio chip, other than that it has a few extra usb ports than the pro4, but from the reviews I've read both are reasonably good boards.

Most of the ASROCK boards are quite similar from the reasearch I've done. They all handle 2800+ OC Ram, 32gb, and from the reviews I've seen, up to the task for gaming and encoding. The pro4 and extreme4 both support the 'K' unlocked CPUs too.

I have a question though - I haven't bought mine yet. Have to go for the extreme4 because none of my local resellers are stocking the pro4. But, I'm curious as to whether disabling the onboard graphics free up any appropriated memory the board takes when using the onbvoard graphics versus a discrete card.

The extreme4 here is $149 AUD.

 

[fireberd]

Well, after having some issues with my current system and Sonar X1 I decided it was time. I ordered the AS Rock Z77 Pro M/B and an i7 3770, along with an OCZ SSD and GSkill Ripsaw memory.

Most of the parts will be coming from newegg and a couple from Amazon. Wish me luck in getting it working.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That should work well, Fireberd.

Good idea on the SSD.

Build with just the SSD installed. Will you be using Win 7?

After it's running, consider these steps to reduce space used on SSD:

Shut off hibernation with powercfg -h off command

Reduce disk space allotted to System Restore

Reduce page file to maybe 1 or 2 GB and possibly move it to another drive.

 

[fireberd]

I'll be using Win 7 64 bit. I don't use hibernation now on my system as I have it set for "High Performance" and several other tweaks for a recording system. I have a 1TB (7200 rpm) drive that I'll be using in conjunction with the SSD and just the OS and major programs will be on the SSD.

Along with the hardware listed, I ordered a Corsair Carbide 500R case. I have an XFX 750 watt modular power supply to use in the system.

I'll see how the stock Intel cooler works. I may add liquid cooler later if needed.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'll be using Win 7 64 bit. I don't use hibernation now on my system as I have it set for "High Performance" and several other tweaks for a recording system. I have a 1TB (7200 rpm) drive that I'll be using in conjunction with the SSD and just the OS and major programs will be on the SSD.

Along with the hardware listed, I ordered a Corsair Carbide 500R case. I have an XFX 750 watt modular power supply to use in the system.

I'll see how the stock Intel cooler works. I may add liquid cooler later if needed.

Will all of this be a Day setup or Emmons setup?

 

[fireberd]

An Emmons, of course

To be truthful, if I had it to do over I would have started with the Day setup on my steel. But, after 53 years, I ain't changing now.

 

[A Guy]

Good luck, sounds like it will be a killer rig

A Guy

 

[TanyaC]

I have just upgraded my rig with a ASRock Z77 Extreme4, replaced my "paltry" 8gb of CL9D-1600 ram with 16GB G-Skill CL9Q RAM running at 2133.

I must say I'm quite impressed with the Z77 board. It was easy to configure and overclock. I'm, still running my I5-2500K as the Ivy's are being sold higher than RRP here.

The UEFI configuration is nice.

The whole rig boots to explorer in less than 20 seconds. No more AHCI scan, and long post processes. I have an OCZ vertex 3 SSD, which helps the boot.

I think the ASrock was a good choice. I think you will be happy.