New Build: ATX vs mATX

anonuser

[H]ard|Gawd
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Dec 28, 2006
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I have been running this e6600 overclocked to 3.3GHz since 2007 and slowly upgraded it piecemeal but now that Ivy Bridge was a dud it's time to finish it. I really don't see a compelling reason to go with anything other than a 2500K from a bang for the buck perspective.

My main decision is if I should reuse my Antec 900 (Great airflow, but a dust magnet and no 3.0 headers) and buy a ATX Z77 board or purchase a mATX case (SilverStone TJ08-E?) and a mATX Z77 board. I've always thought that towers and mid-towers were overkill unless going extreme, but I'd love some opinions on that. It seems like you really don't lose much going from ATX to mini-ATX, but going any smaller and you really make huge sacrifices. I have a lot of extra space in the Antec 900 and don't think I'll ever go SLI. Why not sell your current GPU and buy a single GPU solution that is twice as good? I suppose the only time SLI makes sense to me is when you are pushing insane pixels and there isn't a single card solution that's twice as good available.

Comparison in case sizes:
http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_co...ine-Hundred-Case-vs-SilverStone-Temjin-TJ08-E

1) What will you be doing with this PC?
Internet, Gaming (D3, SC2, etc), Photoshop, etc
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Wherever the range for best bang for the buck falls in.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US, Miami, FL -- No MicroCenter or Frys
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc.
See below
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
See below
6) Will you be overclocking?
As high as I can go completely stable on air cooling (4.5GHz?)
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
37" Westinghouse, 1920x1080 (w/20" Acer on the side)
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Tomorrow/This Weekend
9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, UEFI
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Windows7 Professional x64

Case: Antec 900 (already own) or go mATX (SilverStone TJ08-E?)
CPU: Used 2500K (already own)
Mobo: Z77? mATX or ATX -- They all seem fairly good.
PSU: Corsair HX620 (already own)
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (already own)
Ram: 8GB of pc1666? Good enough for overclocking? I don't think I have any use for 16GB
SSD: Crucial M4 256GB (already own)
HD: 1TB Barracuda 7200.12 (already own)
CPU HSF: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo?

Thanks.
 
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My main decision is if I should reuse my Antec 900 (Green airflow, but a dust magnet and no 3.0 headers) and buy a ATX Z77 board or purchase a mATX case (SilverStone TJ08-E?) and a mATX Z77 board.
You have a case that didn't have much space to begin with (compared to other ATX cases) or cable management and the other is a relatively high qualtiy mATX case that doesn't have much space or much cable management. So looks should be the key driver here, not specs or space since they're roughly similar.
I've always thought that towers and mid-towers were overkill unless going extreme, but I'd love some opinions on that.
My opionion is this: Unless there's a real space or style issue, I don't see a reason to go for mATX. Yes an ATX case can be more space than necessary but they'll often have significantly better cable management and that space does open up a lot more upgrade options. Not to mention that good mATX cases often cost the same or sometimes even more than their ATX counterparts of similar features.
Ram: 8GB of pc1666? Good enough for overclocking? I don't think I have any use for 16GB
PC10666 will be fine. Overclocking the SB or IB CPUs don't require touching the CPU at all. Just make sure that the RAM is rated at 1.5V or lower to avoid CPU damage.
CPU HSF: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo?
Might be hard to fit in a mATX case. But a good HSF albeit a tad pricey.
 
You have a case that didn't have much space to begin with (compared to other ATX cases) or cable management and the other is a relatively high qualtiy mATX case that doesn't have much space or much cable management. So looks should be the key driver here, not specs or space since they're roughly similar.

My opionion is this: Unless there's a real space or style issue, I don't see a reason to go for mATX. Yes an ATX case can be more space than necessary but they'll often have significantly better cable management and that space does open up a lot more upgrade options. Not to mention that good mATX cases often cost the same or sometimes even more than their ATX counterparts of similar features.

PC10666 will be fine. Overclocking the SB or IB CPUs don't require touching the CPU at all. Just make sure that the RAM is rated at 1.5V or lower to avoid CPU damage.

Might be hard to fit in a mATX case. But a good HSF albeit a tad pricey.

ATX vs mATX isn't really about looks for me, more portability. It isn't a huge improvement over a larger mid-tower, but I will be moving to another city in the next few months and every little bit helps. I can always reuse this case -- it was just such a pain in the ass to clean. As for cable management, I cut out some holes a few years ago and it's not so bad now.

The HSF is $35 on Amazon? Are there better bang for the buck options?

As for fitting inside that mATX case:
http://cdn.overclock.net/e/e4/600x450px-LL-e45a21be_a71c1fac_IMG_2083.jpeg
http://cdn.overclock.net/3/3a/600x450px-LL-3a4ecfe1_2012-04-1010.28.25.jpeg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/702/sidedi.jpg
 
The HSF is $35 on Amazon? Are there better bang for the buck options?
Kinda:
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
 
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Kinda:
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

As far as the case selection, the main draw is a less dusty system and 14lbs shaved off for the move, but I can deal. If I decide to scrap the mATX idea and just reuse my Antec Nine Hundred, any reason you are recommending the Gigabyte motherboard over any of the other Z77 boards? Personal experience?

Also, should I just buy pc1666 ram because the cost is very minimal or it doesn't really matter?
 
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As far as the case selection, the main draw is a less dusty system and 14lbs shaved off for the move, but I can deal. If I decide to scrap the mATX idea and just reuse my Antec Nine Hundred, any reason you are recommending the Gigabyte motherboard over any of the other Z77 boards? Personal experience?
Huh? I didn't recommend a Gigabyte mobo in this thread.
Also, should I just buy pc1666 ram because the cost is very minimal or it doesn't really matter?

Doesn't matter.
 
Huh? I didn't recommend a Gigabyte mobo in this thread.

Oh sorry, you had recommended it a couple days ago in another thread. Just trying to decide which motherboard to buy.

Right now I'm looking at the following:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R21JJK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O65JXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037TO5C0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Prefer to buy from amazon because of prime.
 
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Oh sorry, you had recommended it a couple days ago in another thread. Just trying to decide which motherboard to buy.
Oh. Ahh I see. I mainly recommended Gigabyte because Asus' Customer support has been poor lately and the other MSI mobos weren't that competitively priced. Plus I've personally have had good luck with Gigabyte mobos.

Don't get this RAM. It's rated at 1.65V, well above the max recommended RAM voltage for Intel CPUs at 1.5V. Any higher than 1.5V and you risk damage to the CPU. So I recommend this RAM instead:
$40 - Corsair CMV8GX3M2A1333C9 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
 
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Don't get this RAM. It's rated at 1.65V, well above the max recommended RAM voltage for Intel CPUs at 1.5V. Any higher than 1.5V and you risk damage to the CPU. So I recommend this RAM instead:
$40 - Corsair CMV8GX3M2A1333C9 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Ah! Good catch. Thank you so much -- I missed that.

Only issue with the linked ram is that it may not be here by Friday ("In stock but may require an extra 1-2 days to process"). Let me look through other options on Amazon.
 
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One thing I just thought of before I purchase the motherboard, hsf, and ram...

Couldn't I buy a mATX Z77 motherboard instead of ATX and still install it in my Antec Nine Hundred? If I go that route then I would be able to pick up a mATX case as an upgrade down the line if I decide to.

If there's no problem with this, what mATX Z77 board would you recommend?
 
One thing I just thought of before I purchase the motherboard, hsf, and ram...

Couldn't I buy a mATX Z77 motherboard instead of ATX and still install it in my Antec Nine Hundred? If I go that route then I would be able to pick up a mATX case as an upgrade down the line if I decide to.

If there's no problem with this, what mATX Z77 board would you recommend?

I'm not him, but these two are the go-to high end Z77 mATX boards currently, with a little over $20 (including shipping) separating them:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128551
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131830

Since you're only using air cooling, and aren't pushing it too hard, you might consider dropping down to something like this though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131832
 
Couldn't I buy a mATX Z77 motherboard instead of ATX and still install it in my Antec Nine Hundred?
You could. My main problem with that is that it seems to be a waste of money if you're not going to use a mATX mobo's chief advantage, its small size, immediately or with certainty. Considering that you can usually get more features/expansion for the same price with a ATX mobo, unless you can use the mATX's advantage immediately or with certainty, seems like a waste to buy a mATX mobo. For example, compare the Gigabyte G1.Sniper M3 mATX and the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001314%2040000280%20600315497&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=280|13-128-551^13-128-551-TS%2C13-128-545^13-128-545-TS

They cost roughly the same but the UD5H comes with significantly more ports and expansion. The G1.Sniper M3's sole advantage over the UD5H is its small size.

If there's no problem with this, what mATX Z77 board would you recommend?
If you do go mATX, I'd go with the Gigabyte that Amzee listed over the Asus mobos for reasons already stated. Also, the other Gigabyte and MSI mATX Z77 mobos seems solid as well.
 
I'm not him, but these two are the go-to high end Z77 mATX boards currently, with a little over $20 (including shipping) separating them:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128551
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131830

Since you're only using air cooling, and aren't pushing it too hard, you might consider dropping down to something like this though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131832

I definitely don't need a super high end board especially considering the fact that an entirely new socket will be coming out next year. I could justify it if I had more options on the platform in the future, but at this point I just want a stable 4.5GHzish overclock on air. In a perfect world I wouldn't spend more than around $150 on the motherboard.


You could. My main problem with that is that it seems to be a waste of money if you're not going to use a mATX mobo's chief advantage, its small size, immediately or with certainty. Considering that you can usually get more features/expansion for the same price with a ATX mobo, unless you can use the mATX's advantage immediately or with certainty, seems like a waste to buy a mATX mobo.

I understand what you're saying, but take, for example, the system that I've used since 2007. It is a ATX motherboard in a large, mostly empty case. All it has ever had is a single PCI-E video card, a ssd, and a HD. I have a windows home server for a file server. I may get less expansion and/or features, but I'm not using them anyway and it gives me the option to downsize the case in the future.

I appreciate all the input. Still haven't made a decision, but I will tonight. I can actually order from newegg too because I have a free shoprunner account.

Anyone know anything about this board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157306

I've read good things about ASRock and this thing is pretty cheap. Doesn't support SLI but when it's time to upgrade from my 560 ti, I'll just buy a high end single card.
 
Placed the order:

1 x ($109.99) ASRock Z77 Pro4-M LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$109.99

1 x ($54.99) CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9W
$54.99

1 x ($29.99) COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
$29.99

$194.97
 
I understand what you're saying, but take, for example, the system that I've used since 2007. It is a ATX motherboard in a large, mostly empty case. All it has ever had is a single PCI-E video card, a ssd, and a HD. I have a windows home server for a file server. I may get less expansion and/or features, but I'm not using them anyway and it gives me the option to downsize the case in the future.
Well we're definitely have different views on this.

Anyone know anything about this board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157306

I've read good things about ASRock and this thing is pretty cheap. Doesn't support SLI but when it's time to upgrade from my 560 ti, I'll just buy a high end single card.
I wouldn't have gone with an AsRock considering that their Z68 mobos weren't too great:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/12/07/asrock_z68_pro3_lga_1155_motherboard_review/
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/09/asrock_z68_extreme4_gen3_motherboard_review/

While they can make good mobos, the problem is that their quality seems to be a bit inconsistent as evident by the differences between some of AsRock's X79 mobos. As such, they deserve more scrutinizing IMO. That's the reason why I didn't mention AsRock at all during my recommendations for a mATX mobo.
 
Well we're definitely have different views on this.

Definitely. In the past I have often bought a more expensive board to get features that I *may* one day use. With the ease of selling things these days, I'd rather just buy what I need when I need it and sell off my previous item. To each his own. I really won't need the expansion or SLI though. Honestly, there is a very good chance I'll buy the TJ08B-E and move my system into it once it comes back up on Amazon. Either way, I thank you for your input -- differing arguments are always a good thing.

I wouldn't have gone with an AsRock considering that their Z68 mobos weren't too great:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/12/07/asrock_z68_pro3_lga_1155_motherboard_review/
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/09/asrock_z68_extreme4_gen3_motherboard_review/

While they can make good mobos, the problem is that their quality seems to be a bit inconsistent as evident by the differences between some of AsRock's X79 mobos. As such, they deserve more scrutinizing IMO. That's the reason why I didn't mention AsRock at all during my recommendations for a mATX mobo.

Yeah... and I considered that too. I know it may be a pain in the ass, but I've read good things about this board so I figured I'd give it a shot. If it's unstable or doesn't work as well as I want, I'll just return it and get a different one. Wanted to give them a try. I hope that they have fixed some of their inconsistencies, but if not, I'll never go against a review again.
 
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