New Z77 motherboard aroung £160

TGReaper · 26 Oct 2012 at 17:32

Hi Guys

After months of looking for a Z77 mobo i'm stumped what one to get.
All the pc is for is gaming. Mobo must have good crossfire for second hd7970 and good overclocking.

Would really like some help as i am stuck

I have got:
i5 gen 1 currently with MSI big bang trienrgy
I5 - 3570K new in box

OCZ 120gb SSD
2x500gb raid 0 HDDs
XFXHD7970
8gb 1600mhz ripjaws ram
corsair 600T
corsair H60

C64 · 26 Oct 2012 at 19:40

This will do the job http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-390-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2261 only reasons to go higher are if you want extreme level ultra high end overclocks or better onboard sound but then at that extra cost you'd be better off getting something like a xonar dg anyway

TGReaper · 28 Oct 2012 at 15:58

Thanks a lot

stulid · 28 Oct 2012 at 17:36

That is a great board suggested above

8 Pack · 29 Oct 2012 at 10:26

For that money go for ROG ASUS Maximus V Gene. The king of overclocking boards in this price range.

Nelly · 29 Oct 2012 at 15:01

I would go for the Gigabyte Z77X-UP4 TH.

Custom PC - November 2012 issue.

RocketPotato · 29 Oct 2012 at 15:15

The Maximus V Gene is a great choice.

TGReaper · 29 Oct 2012 at 18:08

Only worry with the GENE is crossfire with its size anyone running one with 2x7970's?

stulid · 29 Oct 2012 at 18:11

TGReaper said:
Only worry with the GENE is crossfire with its size anyone running one with 2x7970's?

Stick to a full size ATX board then, as mentioned the two Gigabyte boards are very good it seems, also Gigabytes customer service is excellent it seems - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18447538

TGReaper · 29 Oct 2012 at 18:22

Im just not sure not ever used gigabyte only ASUS and MSI.
Only had problems with MSI RMA'a my pride and joy Big bang trienergy sent me back a scabby dirty old recon board which has now going wrong hence upgrade.
How useful will Thunderbolt be?
My choices as i see it

1. ASUS Z77 Sabertooth
2. GB Z77X-UP4 TH
3. GB Z77X-D3H Intel Z77
4. MSI Z77 MPower Intel Z77
6. Asus P8Z77-V PRO

stulid · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:01

Don't think you have anything to worry about, theres even a Gigabyte rep who floats around these forums and has his own Q+A thread.

Nelly · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:01

TGReaper said:
Im just not sure not ever used gigabyte only ASUS and MSI.
Only had problems with MSI RMA'a my pride and joy Big bang trienergy sent me back a scabby dirty old recon board which has now going wrong hence upgrade.
How useful will Thunderbolt be?
My choices as i see it

1. ASUS Z77 Sabertooth
2. GB Z77X-UP4 TH
3. GB Z77X-D3H Intel Z77
4. MSI Z77 MPower Intel Z77
6. Asus P8Z77-V PRO

If anything goes wrong with an Asus board, you will have to wait at least 28 days, because they have bad customer service, people have to chase the retailers up to get a refund/replacement, otherwise your waiting even longer i.e 6 to 8 weeks for it back lol!

The MSI Z77 MPower is a good board although lacks voltage offset, which is annoying because I like to overclock high and use offsets, it's still better than my Gigabyte Z77 UD5H.

I have a Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH on the way next Tuesday, like I said if I was you I would go for the Gigabyte Z77X-UP4 TH, because it's worth paying the money for, if anything goes wrong you can expect a replacement within 2-3 days from Gigabyte, they are based in the UK - only motherboard manufacturer that are.

Also, I highlighted in red on the picture link that the Gigabyte Z77X-UP4 TH overclocks better, because it uses lower voltage compared to the Asus Maximus V Gene, as well as the Gigabyte Z77 UD5H.

TGReaper · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:11

Guys thanks so much for your input i think its GB all the way probs Z77X-UP4 TH or maybee GB Z77X-D3H with xonar dg i will et you know

Thanks again

stulid · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:15

Nelly is right, the "UP" range of boards have a new type of powerstage called the IR3550 which offer higher amps, lower temps and better efficiency.

http://www.gigabyte.us/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid=1128

If £160 s your budget, then its a good'un.

TGReaper · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:43

Z77X-UP4 TH ordered many thanks again for all your help