which Z77 motherboard are you already planning to get and why?

I wish more motherboards incorporated better on-board sound than Realtek. Such as having Creative or something on the boards. It would be a good investment for Creative, especially if they want a bigger foothold in the soundchip market. I know the G1.Sniper 3 has a Creative on-board sound. I'm just wondering if any board has good enough sound to replace my HT Omega Striker.

But as of right now, I think I'm gonna go for the UD5H along with a Sidewinder X4 keyboard (since I need to replace my PS/2 keyboard to use it).
 
SolidSnakeUS said:
But as of right now, I think I'm gonna go for the UD5H along with a Sidewinder X4 keyboard (since I need to replace my PS/2 keyboard to use it).
Click to expand...

That's what I did. It's a really nice keyboard. I'm very fortunate I ended up with it because I didn't know about the problem with USB keyboards and multiple simultaneous key presses. Still getting use to it. The keys are flatter than what I'm use to. At night with the red backlighting it looks so futuristic, but during the day they're pink.
 
Can anyone help me pick a board?

I'd like it to have at least 8xUSB on the backplane. I may end up just getting a board that has only 6, and using a PCI slot for a riser board, but I'd rather not if I didn't have to...

Thanks.
 
DejaWiz said:
Holy shit, what are you connecting to the back of your computer?
Click to expand...

Hmm, I'm at work, and it's at home...so here it is from memory.

1) Mouse
2) Keyboard
3) UPS Power supply
4) Monochrome Laser Printer
5) Color inkjet printer
6) USB webcam
7) CF card reader
8) Presonus VSL44 soundcard

Yep, I think that covers it. (actually, right now I'm using a ps/2 port for the keyboard, so my current MB has one rear USB port available, and my new rig will be using a logitech combo deal that will only use a single usb port for both, so I really only *need* 7 ports ;-) )
 
KevinG said:
Hmm, I'm at work, and it's at home...so here it is from memory.

1) Mouse
2) Keyboard
3) UPS Power supply
4) Monochrome Laser Printer
5) Color inkjet printer
6) USB webcam
7) CF card reader
8) Presonus VSL44 soundcard

Yep, I think that covers it. (actually, right now I'm using a ps/2 port for the keyboard, so my current MB has one rear USB port available, and my new rig will be using a logitech combo deal that will only use a single usb port for both, so I really only *need* 7 ports ;-) )
Click to expand...

Day-um!

Intel DZ77GA-70K has 8 on the back. Or, pick any board you want (or use the bracket expander).
 
DejaWiz said:
Day-um!

Intel DZ77GA-70K has 8 on the back. Or, pick any board you want (or use the bracket expander).
Click to expand...

I didn't think it was that unusual, really...

But intel? Probably not. :) I assume most MBs will come with something that turns the internal USB ports into something I can mount in a PCI slot anyway?
 
KevinG said:
Hmm, I'm at work, and it's at home...so here it is from memory.

1) Mouse
2) Keyboard
3) UPS Power supply
4) Monochrome Laser Printer
5) Color inkjet printer
6) USB webcam
7) CF card reader
8) Presonus VSL44 soundcard
Click to expand...

what, no usb coffee cup warmer? :eek:
 
KevinG said:
I didn't think it was that unusual, really...

But intel? Probably not. :) I assume most MBs will come with something that turns the internal USB ports into something I can mount in a PCI slot anyway?
Click to expand...

Why not intel? Their MoBo reviews have been pretty outstanding.

Most MoBos used to come with those PCI brackets, but not too many do anymore from what I've been noticing, so they are a separate purchase.
 
illli said:
what, no usb coffee cup warmer? :eek:
Click to expand...

Hmm, now there's an idea! Got a link? ;)

DejaWiz said:
Why not intel? Their MoBo reviews have been pretty outstanding.

Most MoBos used to come with those PCI brackets, but not too many do anymore from what I've been noticing, so they are a separate purchase.
Click to expand...

I guess I'm used to the old days where overclocking on an intel board was an oxymoron? Thanks for the pointer on the bracket...I guess one must exist somewhere that supports more than 2.0 ports on one bracket...and maybe even 3.0...I'll have to look around. Sucks that they aren't included anymore! But I probably have a few lying around somewhere.
 
You could probably replace the 2.0 cables in an existing bracket with this.

(I kind of hope MoBo company reps are reading this thread. Apparently, there's a need for more flexible USB options than what they are providing us!)
 
I received my MSI GD65.

The VRM heatsinks are fastened with screws which is nice. My last asus/gigabyte boards used plastic pushpins and some break off in transport.
 
ds9voy said:
Got the sabertooth. ASRock makes acceptable boards, however I just moved from an ASRock Extreme 4 Gen3 to the sabertooth.

The problem with the Asrock was the fact that it utilized very poor controllers. (for example, USB 3 was an Etron controller) Tons of people experienced BSODs due to the Etron controller, and I experienced serious system instability whenever the USB 3 ports were in use. This remained the case even with the newer Etron drivers.

Also, esata was basically unusable as well.

For some reason Asrock is still using the etron USB 3 controllers on the Z77 boards.... so that is a deal breaker for me.

Fortunately Asus is using Asmedia controllers for the extra USB 3 ports, which are much better IMO.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing this out, very valuable information. I refuse to even take a chance on something like this as I need both USB3 and eSATA functionality on my system.
 
I just got a new Intel® Desktop DZ77GA-70K today. There are some new features that I am really looking forward to having fun with.
 
IntelEnthusiast said:
I just got a new Intel® Desktop DZ77GA-70K today. There are some new features that I am really looking forward to having fun with.
Click to expand...

Would love for you to share your thoughts and opinions on it when you've had time to mess around with it a bit! Also, I may have just overlooked it in the tech specs, but do the new Intel branded Z77 boards have UEFI?
 
IntelEnthusiast said:
I just got a new Intel® Desktop DZ77GA-70K today. There are some new features that I am really looking forward to having fun with.
Click to expand...
Could you verify if bios on this board supports ATA security extension? I mean so called HDD password (not bios password but "hdd password").
 
ds9voy said:
Got the sabertooth. ASRock makes acceptable boards, however I just moved from an ASRock Extreme 4 Gen3 to the sabertooth.

The problem with the Asrock was the fact that it utilized very poor controllers. (for example, USB 3 was an Etron controller) Tons of people experienced BSODs due to the Etron controller, and I experienced serious system instability whenever the USB 3 ports were in use. This remained the case even with the newer Etron drivers.

Also, esata was basically unusable as well.

For some reason Asrock is still using the etron USB 3 controllers on the Z77 boards.... so that is a deal breaker for me.

Fortunately Asus is using Asmedia controllers for the extra USB 3 ports, which are much better IMO.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree, I moved away from my Z68 Gigabyte board specifically because the etron USB 3.0 ports consistently caused slowness and stuttering on my system. This after I managed to find and took the time to install the USB 3.0 header for my FT02 only to find I had less functional ports in the end. The UD5H has a VIA chipset for USB 3.0 as well as the Intel ones and they function seamlessly.
 
ds9voy said:
Got the sabertooth. ASRock makes acceptable boards, however I just moved from an ASRock Extreme 4 Gen3 to the sabertooth.

The problem with the Asrock was the fact that it utilized very poor controllers. (for example, USB 3 was an Etron controller) Tons of people experienced BSODs due to the Etron controller, and I experienced serious system instability whenever the USB 3 ports were in use. This remained the case even with the newer Etron drivers.

Also, esata was basically unusable as well.

For some reason Asrock is still using the etron USB 3 controllers on the Z77 boards.... so that is a deal breaker for me.

Fortunately Asus is using Asmedia controllers for the extra USB 3 ports, which are much better IMO.
Click to expand...

Some of the Asrock Z77 boards, like the Extreme4, use Asmedia instead of Etron.
 
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After all the reading I am thinking the Sniper 3 for me unless someone can point me to something better. Only other boards I was looking at was the Deluxe or Sabertooth. I plan to stay away from MSI / ASrock and EVGA (since all they will be releasing is the FTW)

Size does NOT matter XL / EATX / ATX going in a Xigmatek Eslyum

Looking to do Gaming 99% of the machine's use will be that.

3570K (unless 3770K will be better? gaming and HT don't mix right and I won't be doing anything else with it) Going for MAX SAFE OC for 24/7 to handle any possible bottlenecks for..... if 4.8-5.25 GHz will get me by then I will just run at that is there a good clock speed for SLI and bandwidth?

2x 680s 4 Gig unless they are outrageously prices then I will hold til 685/690 whatever GK110 ends up being. But 2 cards SLI no need for 3 for me.

2133 1.5V RAM

2x SSDs in R0 and 3x HDD in R0 Game storage

4x monitors / 3 in surround
 
The 680s can handle 3x1 now as it is a feature of the software. So it basically makes 2 monitors. Your surround one which is 3 monitors and then you activate the 4th in the display settings. It is still all done on / though nvidia. The on board will not be used at all.

On the 4th Ill have temps, vent, useful websites etc. Which I do have setup with 3 across the bottom and a 4th on top of the center.

Here is a link to my current build: Flickr Link

Just need to figure out this MB situation
 
Krystm said:
The 680s can handle 3x1 now as it is a feature of the software. So it basically makes 2 monitors. Your surround one which is 3 monitors and then you activate the 4th in the display settings. It is still all done on / though nvidia. The on board will not be used at all.

On the 4th Ill have temps, vent, useful websites etc. Which I do have setup with 3 across the bottom and a 4th on top of the center.

Here is a link to my current build: Flickr Link

Just need to figure out this MB situation
Click to expand...
I see, I will checkout this "surround", must be something new (well, I havent built a computer since the Pentium 4, so pretty much everything is new). Well your setup looks "fan"tastic.
 
I'm looking at a GA-Z77-DS3H because it's cheap and it has everything I need.
 
I was in a pinch. I'm returning the MSI and I went to Frys and bough a P8Z77-V Pro.
4.8 stable on my 2500k LOTS of BIOS options. I will post pics later
 
Just picked up a z77 sabertooth (along with a $199 2600K at microcenter). couldn't resist.
 
Damn, I wish there was a MC in Omaha... I'd be all over that same combo!
 
Just found an informative discussion of the new chipset here: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/intel-z77.html

It also discusses the ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe with a 20-phase :eek: design.

Well it appears there is really not much new with the z77 but mobo mfgs are making up for the absence of new chipset features by adding more value to their products. However, dont forget that the smaller die size of the new CPU will have natural advantages regarding heat production and power consumption.
 
With the 1 review showing 98degrees Celsius under load for a 3770k @ 4.7ghz I think I'll just get a 2700k for my Z77 mobo lol.
 
waiting on an asus z77 mitx board for my living room.
Also waiting for IB i3 35w cpu's, so i probably wont be building a htpc anytime soon :(
 
Caved and got a MSI GD65 today. I was forced into it to avoid a restocking fee while returning a mechanical keyboard.

I fell in love with the board layout in the store, I just had to take it home with me. I hear a lot of talk about the UD5 being better, but they seem to be pretty much the same feature wise and the MSI just looks nicer.
 
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