New parts I have just ordered

DanJames93 · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:19

I've been planning for an upgrade and my wages gone in today, so I have just ordered some new parts.

I upgraded from a GTS450 to a HD7950 not so long ago, and here the last of my upgrades!
Currently on a 445 & MSI880GM

Asrock H77 PRO4
Intel Core i5 3570K
Zalman CNPS9900-MAX

I am liking the reviews on this cooler, it should allow me to overclock the 3570K without any issues whatsoever. I was going to go for a more expensive motherboard, but the H77 should do me absolutely fine, if I go crossfire I will probably upgrade and it's probably not the best mobo for crossfire.

The expansion slots confused me a little...
1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (PCIE2: x16 mode)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (PCIE3: x4 mode)

One minute it's 3.0... when it's 2.0... and vice versa with the 2.0 slot? **** off, why complicate matters. Anyone care to explain how crossfire would work on it?

I might pick up a 32GB SSD for 35 quid in work to install Windows on. I'm just going to have to convince Microsoft to transfer my OEM license first :l... "my old motherboard broke and I have had to buy a new one, I can't have it repaired"

zakblood · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:20

h88p://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/245454-15-crossfire-faqs

scroll down to the A note about Motherboards etc and read that bit, or enjoy it all

snips86x · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:25

DanJames93 said:
I've been planning for an upgrade and my wages gone in today, so I have just ordered some new parts.

I upgraded from a GTS450 to a HD7950 not so long ago, and here the last of my upgrades!
Currently on a 445 & MSI880GM

Asrock H77 PRO4
Intel Core i5 3570K
Zalman CNPS9900-MAX

I am liking the reviews on this cooler, it should allow me to overclock the 3570K without any issues whatsoever. I was going to go for a more expensive motherboard, but the H77 should do me absolutely fine, if I go crossfire I will probably upgrade and it's probably not the best mobo for crossfire.

The expansion slots confused me a little...
1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (PCIE2: x16 mode)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (PCIE3: x4 mode)

One minute it's 3.0... when it's 2.0... and vice versa with the 2.0 slot? **** off, why complicate matters. Anyone care to explain how crossfire would work on it?

I might pick up a 32GB SSD for 35 quid in work to install Windows on. I'm just going to have to convince Microsoft to transfer my OEM license first :l... "my old motherboard broke and I have had to buy a new one, I can't have it repaired"

The difference between 2.0 & 3.0 is almost nothing. The mobo should specify if it supports Xfire or SLI in the specs. Also, 32GB SSD is not enough for Win 7/8, you'd need at least a 120gb, but may get away with a 64gb. Updates & SP's take a lot of space so don't expect much. You'll have less than 10gb free on a 32gb if that to be fair!

RJC · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:27

You might hove trouble overclocking as the H77 chipset does not allow this, Z77 is the ideal board.

DanJames93 · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:33

RJC said:
You might hove trouble overclocking as the H77 chipset does not allow this, Z77 is the ideal board.

I've read something about being able to change the multiplier, but the voltage cannot be modified. I'd only want an OC of around 300-500 mhz. I'm going to be on Ivybridge.

DanJames93 · 3 Jan 2013 at 12:36

"Like other motherboards based on the Intel H77 chipset, serious overclocking isn't an option with the ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP."

That said, I believe overclocking is possible but seriously limited.

DanJames93 · 3 Jan 2013 at 14:15

Called up customer services to request that the motherboard is upgraded to a Z77, just waiting for an email

If I manage to get it changed, I should manage a 1GHZ OC with that cooler I think...

Does anyone have a link to a (good) guide on processor voltages when OC'ing? I understand multipliers, but obviously, you can't get a good & stable oc on just multipliers without also increasing the voltages, correct?