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mATX Build Advice?

Zef Pomp

[H]ard|Gawd
2FA
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
1,055
CPU: 3770K

PSU: Seasonic X650

I may just pay the little bit extra and get the Seasonic Plat 860 for future use.

SSD:Corsair Performance Pro 256GB vs. Samsung 830 256GB vs. Plexor M3 Pro 256GB

Which SSD is the overall best?

Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS V GENE Z77

Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E

RAM: CMP16GX3M4X1600C7 Dominator vs. CML16GX3M4X1600C7 Vengeance

A video card will be added at a later time, the HD 4000 graphics should be fine for awhile.

I may also go with:
i7 3820 + X78 ASUS Sabertooth + New corsair vengence ammo case/Silverstone FT02/TJ07
or
i7 3770K + Z77 ASUS Sabertooth + New corsair vengence ammo case/Silverstone FT02/TJ07

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, web, movies, ect.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
~1000
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
United States, NO Microcenter!
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, MOBO, RAM, Case, PSU, SSD
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Win 7, Monitor, Keyboard/Mouse
6) Will you be overclocking?
Sure
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
24in Dell
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next couple of weeks
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, x64
 
CPU: 3770K
If the heaviest duty your PC will be doing is gaming, really no need for this CPU. You would be fine with the 2500K or i5 3570K.

PSU: Seasonic X650

I may just pay the little bit extra and get the Seasonic Plat 860 for future use.
You didn't mention SLI. So no need to get the 860W. Remember that the current GPU trend is to use less power, not more.

SSD:Corsair Performance Pro 256GB vs. Samsung 830 256GB vs. Plexor M3 Pro 256GB

Which SSD is the overall best?
Flip a coin between the Samsung and the Plextor. IIRC, the Corsair had some QC issues.
Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS V GENE Z77
This should be a good but pricey mobo. However my main issue is that Asus' customer service has gown the drain lately. There's been a lot more than usual complaints about Asus' customer service. ranging from no call back/contact or being sent back the same motheboard or being sent back other people's motherboards. So for that reason alone, I can't recommend an Asus motherboard. I recommend this Gigabyte instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128551
RAM: CMP16GX3M4X1600C7 Dominator vs. CML16GX3M4X1600C7 Vengeance
Both RAM will perform the same. So with the cheaper Vengeance. Though with IB/SB, both RAM will perform/feel the same as this CAS 9 G.Skill DDR3 1600 set:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231497

I may also go with:
i7 3820 + X78 ASUS Sabertooth + New corsair vengence ammo case/Silverstone FT02/TJ07
or
Not worth for a few reasons:
- The 2011 CPUs require RAM rated at 1.35V. There's only one 8GB 1.35V RAM at the moment and it's from an unknown company. So unless you want to go with that unknown company, you're looking at 32GB of RAM max with the 2011 CPUs, same as the socket 1155 CPUs
- The i7 3820 performs the same as the i7 3770K or i7 2600K.
- That motherboard is very pricey
i7 3770K + Z77 ASUS Sabertooth + New corsair vengence ammo case/Silverstone FT02/TJ07
The Sabertooth is a good mobo but a bit overpriced IMO. Not to mention the earlier notice about Asus's CS. The Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H is a better choice for the money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545
 
Don't limit your SSD options. I would recommend a Crucial M4 256GB because of the price. (I also own a couple)
I just went mATX. I never use more than 2 PCI-E slots anyway and my board has 3. Looking back, I don't know why I would ever need a ATX board.
 
Last edited:
@Danny

I need the i7's hyperthreading becuz sometimes I run alot of custom made programs at one time

I can switch to this ram: CML16GX3M4A1600C9, its Cas 9 and only $96

Sad to hear about ASUS's customer service..., I have always bought from them with confidence in the past

@Kenny

I am going to pass on the M4, because I am looking for performance and I have Amazon gift cards to use so the price on all those SSD's listed is ~< $1 a gig
 
I've heard the same reviews about ASUS of late, I still bought a board from them, the Maximus IV Gene-Z. I've loved it so far and haven't had a problem. A friend of mine bought one and had to return it, it turned into a nightmare he said. So I guess its luck of the draw. Hopefully all goes well!
 
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