Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

What motherboard to choose

Sep 12, 2016 10:33AM PDT

Hey guys!

I am about to buy a new PC, but I am not sure about the components..mainly the motherboard.
I want to play good games on it, edit big film projects and do some 3D animation.
These are the components:

Graphics card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Founders Edition 8GB
RAM: 2 x 8 GB
Processor: Intel Core i7-5820K / 3.3 GHz - 15 MB cache
Storage: 2 TB
Power supply: Corsair CX750
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO Series
Cooling: Enermax Liqmax II 240
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV Tempered Glass

I think these are great components, but I can't choose a motherboard.

What motherboard would you recommend for this PC? I would love to know, my 'motherboard budget' is 200 euro.

Thanks alot!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
If I were to do that.
Sep 12, 2016 10:48AM PDT

My go to list is at https://www.reddit.com/r/PCMasterRace/wiki/builds

I can't imagine why you are going so far with the i7. To me I'd scale that back to the non-K since we know why and consider if I could get the 1080.

Why? "Our tests demonstrate fairly little difference between a $225 LGA 1155 Core i5-2500K and a $1000 LGA 2011 Core i7-3960X, even when three-way graphics card configurations are involved. It turns out that memory bandwidth and PCIe throughput don't hold back the performance of existing Sandy Bridge-based machines. "
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-4.html

In a recent build I ejected the 2TB HDD and put the money into a larger SSD. Worth it.

- Collapse -
Thanks for the long answer
Sep 12, 2016 11:09AM PDT

Alright, thanks for the tips! But with these components..what motherboard would you recommend? Wink

- Collapse -
Sorry I didn't answer directly.
Sep 12, 2016 11:40AM PDT

I'd check the PC Master Race builds since it's a list that many have made with success. Pick the ones that support the i7 you have. You have the check the CPU Support List on each board. Sorry I can't do that much work for you.

-> Let me add this. Many years ago Tomshardware did some testing to see if motherboards mattered speedwise. The results were within 2 percent or less. That's close enough to account for human error (thanks Hal) so you never saw that test done again.

So the summation is if you choose a z97 based board the difference from one to another will not be speed. It will be cost, slots, and features. Some gamers go for looks. Which costs but I never did that as you never got your money's worth in my opinion.

If this was my build, I'd pull back on the K model, put the savings into the GPU.
Also, I'd skip the HDD and put that into the next size SSD.

- Collapse -
Thanks! 2 more questions
Sep 12, 2016 11:56AM PDT

Alright, thanks for the great suggestions!
I am still kinda a PC 'n00b' Wink
So two more questions: is this the i7 you suggested the Intel Core i7-6700K / 4 GHz ?
(can you link me the one you mean)

And why can't I find a GTX 1070 anywhere but only the founders edition? Has the founders edition become the regular edition?

Thanks alot.

- Collapse -
It looks like you saved 50 bucks in the CPU change.
Sep 12, 2016 12:09PM PDT

Intel Core i7-6700K looks to be cheaper and according to https://www.google.com/#q=intel+core+i7-6700k+vs+intel+core+i7-5820k you are not giving up a thing IMO.

As to the GPU, http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1080-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1070/3603vs3609 kicks it around with a side note dated JUNE 16 2016 about in time you may see value versions.

The fact you went to the 1070 told me you are not entirely going for value but hard core gaming. That's why if this was mine I'd try to make a few adjustments and see if I could go 1080 and ditch the spinning drive or drives.

- Collapse -
Answer
Change the mix
Sep 12, 2016 5:34PM PDT

Cpu.....I7-6700
Ram....ddr4@2133

Since the cpu is a 65w unit you can toss the liquid cooling.
You'll save well over 100 bucks and it's doubtful you'll see a difference in perf.

Now shop for a lga1151 mobo with the features you want.

Take 100+ savings and put it toward a ssd or gpu upgrade.

As to why you can't find a gtx 1070.....supply+demand.
If you can wait for 2 or 3 months supply may start to catch up.