i7

RichB

RichB

RichB

Associate
Joined
28 Nov 2013
Posts
131
Hi
Im planning to build a gaming system using i7 4820K Extreme, S 2011, Ivy Bridge-E.
I have seen 2 affordable mother boards.

MSI X79A-GD45 PLUS Intel X79 (Socket 2011)
and
Asus P9X79 Motherboard, Socket 2011, 8 x DDR3, ATX.

Im a bit concerned about the BIOS update i may or may not have to do if i buy second hand.
Will these boards work and will i be able to reflash myself after ive built the PC.

I assume i build the PC, install and partition win7, install drivers, then log onto the manufactures website, download and update BIOS.

Correct or completly wrong??????

R
 
The Asus Sabretooth I believe can be BIOS flashed without a CPU installed but that's a rare exception. If you are buying second hand ask them to update the BIOS, if buying new check with customer services if they will do it for you. Remember you need to have a heatsink for that CPU too, no stock one is supplied.

The mobos you've picked have only 2 sataIII ports. I'd prefer the GB X79-UD3, fewer DIMM slots but more sataIII ports. Are you sure you need to be on socket 2011? There are some cracking value 1150 mobos......

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £247.99
1 x Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z87 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £119.99
Total : £367.98 (includes shipping : FREE).



The Haswell CPUs come with a stock heatsink, add a better one for overclocking. The mobo has decent onboard audio and can do SLI/Xfire too, 6 sataIII ports should be plenty :)
 
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It says this in the Asus spec:

USB BIOS Flashback: Flash your Bios in 1 easy step, no CPU or RAM required.

so im guessing you should be ok.
 
I have flashed my BIOS (P9X79 Deluxe) a couple of times and no problems.

Download the correct file from the ASUS site to a USB stick, rename it, place in the dedicated USB port on back of MB, press button next to the port and it takes about 3 minutes and all done.

Full instructions are on the ASUS webpage.
 
RichB said:
Hi
I have read that the IvyBridge is the top end of i7. much faster and runs cooler.
I may be wrong???
R
Click to expand...

Yes the Ivy-E CPUs are new for the socket 2011. Haswell is a new socket (1150) to replace Ivy (1155). Haswell is about 200Mhz faster clock for clock, has a better IGP and new power saving states.

For socket 2011 you ideally want to be using quad channel RAM. The CPU has no heatsink so one that fits the 2011 socket will be needed, you also have no IGP so a GPU is also required.

The 2011 socket does have hexcore CPUs but as you are looking at "budget" parts I can't see you upgrading to these uber expensive CPUs. If you can't tell me why you need socket 2011 I think you'll find you do better for your money on socket 1150.

All the best with the upgrade fella, we look forward to seeing what you choose.
 
Hi Helpers and Thanks

Im going for i7 4770k S1150 Haswell processor
with
GIGABYTE GA-Z87-HD3 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) Motherboard
and i think
GSkill Ripjaws Z F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH 16 GB, DDR3 SDRAM

Any Good???

R
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM £239.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLD316G2133HC11ADC01) £129.95
1 x Gigabyte Z87-D3HP Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £107.99
Total : £477.92 (includes shipping : FREE).



CPU is OEM to save a few quid, so no stock heatsink and a shorter warranty (CPU failure is very rare tbh). This mobo is better than the HD3, although a little more cash they do throw in a decent ~£30 heatsink for free to help you overclock the CPU. Although 16GB for just a gaming rig is OTT, if you will do video editing etc then fair enough.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - OEM £239.99
1 x Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z87 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £119.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD38G2666HC11CDC01) £69.95
1 x Corsair Hydro H100 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler *Manufacturer Refurbished Unit - 90 Day Guarantee £44.99
Total : £474.91 (includes shipping : FREE).



This Sniper mobo is just silly value for money. It has decent onboard audio and can run dual GPUs if you have a good enough PSU too. It's paired with 8GB of silly fast RAM although the H100 cooler might not fit your case so check that, you could use the H80 instead to keep the watercooling look.
 
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