coffee lake motherboard suggestions i7 8700

fireflyserenity · 16 Nov 2017 at 18:41

Hi

trying to decide between ryzen and coffee lake i7 8700, now have read a few comparisons and think the intel might be better for me, what would you recommend for a motherboard and ram for the 8700?

also with the 8700 having on board graphics, can you plug monitors into the motherboard and into a graphics card at the same time to run more screens?

Thanks

Devrij · 18 Nov 2017 at 07:04

You can run multiple screens from your gpu, assuming you have spare ports to use of course. I wouldn't bother with using the iGPU for that purpose.

Motherboard choice depends on a couple factors,mostly budget and how far you want to push your overclock.

fireflyserenity · 22 Nov 2017 at 19:08

Thanks mate, yeah I just wondered if you could use the onboard graphics at the same time as the gpu

as for budget, to be honest it's flexible, I don't probably need the best available but I don't want the cheapest either, I'd like good quality and features mid to high end?, a few recommended options to choose between would be great.

I wasn't planning on overclocking, if I get the 8700 I don't think you can anyway, think you need the k version for overclocking i'll see which is the best deal when i buy but probably go for the 8700 if it's cheaper, I read that it's the same as the stock 8700k you just cant overclock it

Thanks

stulid · 22 Nov 2017 at 21:01

fireflyserenity said:
Thanks mate, yeah I just wondered if you could use the onboard graphics at the same time as the gpu

as for budget, to be honest it's flexible, I don't probably need the best available but I don't want the cheapest either, I'd like good quality and features mid to high end?, a few recommended options to choose between would be great.

I wasn't planning on overclocking, if I get the 8700 I don't think you can anyway, think you need the k version for overclocking i'll see which is the best deal when i buy but probably go for the 8700 if it's cheaper, I read that it's the same as the stock 8700k you just cant overclock it

Thanks

HI,

Yes the "K" is required as it has an unlocked multiplier to make overclocking easy.

As for boards you could then argue that a Z370 chipset would kinda be wasted if you are not overcloking, but these boards do usually have the better/enhanced features such as sound, ports, slots, RGB lighting etc etc.

What form factor is your case? what size boards can it take?

fireflyserenity · 22 Nov 2017 at 23:17

I haven't bought a case yet, probably get a mid tower atx case, seems the most reasonable option. I thought that z370 were the only available boards for coffee lake, I would like nice features like plenty of ports and usbs etc, slots for upgrading in the future and good sound so I don't have to get a separate sound card, not bothered about lighting, happy to have it if it's on the right board but wouldn't pay extra for it

thanks

stulid · 22 Nov 2017 at 23:30

Curently theres Z370, but knowing intel and whats come in the past it would surprise me if a H or B chipset came out.

Im looking around and some of the Gigbayte boards ahve those features and inluced a free STEAM voucher, you also get excellent support from Gigbayte.

For example - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...cket-1151-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-55v-gi.html

Has most bases covered, SLI+Crossfire support, plenty of SATA and m.2, decent enough sound etc.

fireflyserenity · 23 Nov 2017 at 00:04

Thanks mate, are h or b chipsets cheaper options without the best features/overclocking?
Would you be able to recommend some ram?

Thanks

stulid · 23 Nov 2017 at 08:15

H and B chipsets have always been the cheaper options and more often than not it visibly shows on the actual board with way less stuff fitted to them.

As for RAM...Ive never had any issue with Corsair/Kingston/Geil etc all has just "plug n play" for me.

Something atleast 3000Mhz and 16GB (2x8GB kit) such as - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...al-channel-kit-grey-tlgd416g30-my-087-tg.html

But if you can find a 3200Mhz kit for the same or a few £ more then go for that.

fireflyserenity · 23 Nov 2017 at 18:43

3200Mhz is better then, ok thanks

How do you think this motherboard compares to the gigabyte you suggested? https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/ROG-STRIX-Z370-E-GAMING/

I did some reading about the gigabyte and it said it didn't have a heatsink for the m2 (the gaming 7 does but it's the most expensive gigabyte), I think this asus does, maybe having this would be beneficial but i don't know if the asus is as good. Its a bit more money but if it's better then that's ok

Thanks

stulid · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:19

Its a lot more money thats for sure.

Ive got by without a m.2 heatsink before on previous boards, sure my current one does have one but thats becuase its there.

fireflyserenity · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:25

maybe not necessary then, how do you think the asus compares to the gigabyte, would it be as reliable?

stulid · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:27

It should be reliable, but I do know the Gigabyte support is going to better and the RMA center is in the Uk so nice and fast.

Plus the Gigabyte has dual BIOS (no idea if the ASUS has) which can be damn handy.

fireflyserenity · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:29

Ok thanks a lot, do you think the heatsink for the m2 matters much at all? I read it can make a 15 to 20 degree difference

stulid · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:32

If someone has done a test that shows m.2 performance dips with heat increase then I dont know.

Even out in the open inside a case with good airflow it should get cooled a little bit, a bit like how a CPU heatsink+fan reduces the nearby VRM temps VS a all-in-one water cooler.

fireflyserenity · 23 Nov 2017 at 19:54

Thanks mate

fireflyserenity · 25 Nov 2017 at 02:11

Hi, I bought this board: Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming 7

more money but comes with a £40 steam voucher and a cooler, do you think the ram you suggested (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...al-channel-kit-grey-tlgd416g30-my-087-tg.html) would be good?

or something else from here: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/offers/black-friday/components/memory like https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...hannel-kit-black-cmk16gx4m2b30-my-445-cs.html or this https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...600mhz-dual-channel-kit-black-my-08q-tg.html?

thanks

stulid · 25 Nov 2017 at 09:18

It will work with that RAM.

fireflyserenity · 26 Nov 2017 at 04:36

Thanks, I'll go for this ram:https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...al-channel-kit-grey-tlgd416g30-my-087-tg.html

I got this case: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...w-mid-tower-case-cc-9011049-ww-ca-173-cs.html

Could I ask your opinion on this ps: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-05s-ss.html ?

and is there a graphics card in the sale you recommend: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/offers/black-friday/components/graphics? I would like to play new games and don't want to upgrade for a while

Thanks

stulid · 26 Nov 2017 at 08:12

PSU is fine, Plenty of power for SLI/Crossfire should you want to do that, or 550W is enough for a single card.

What resolution is your monitor? does it have Gsync or Freesync (i.e meaning you need either Nvidia or AMD) and what is the gfx card budget as youve linked to all of them.

fireflyserenity · 26 Nov 2017 at 13:29

Maybe that psu is overkill, my monitor is only 1080, probably need an upgrade there at somre point

budget is flexible, I want games to play well and look good and don't want to upgrade for a while