Looking for a motherboard

WeatherMan

WeatherMan

Active Member
Hi guys,

Been a while since I've posted a thread.

These are the requirements for my board....

ATX Form Factor (to fill my Corsair Carbide 300r)
Onboard VGA (D-SUB or DVI) (Because I will be buying my GPU later on)
2x SATA III Ports (for an SSD & SATA III HDD)
Support for 1600MHz DDR3

I know that Sandy Bridge only officially supports up to 1333MHz memory, so I will need a board that can overclock RAM, apparently this leaves me with choices from the following chipsets: Z68, Z75 & Z77.

Another problem I have is that the memory I am looking at, (8GB Patriot Viper Xtreme) is 1. 1.55 - 1.65v, and 2. XMP based.

I know that when I first stick the modules in, they will be downclocked to 1333MHz, meaning the official 1.5v spec should be sufficient to boot them, is this correct?

Secondly these sticks are XMP Ready, and the board I was looking at below;
Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/giga...-s-sata-raid-pcie-20-(x16)-atx-plusfree-16gb-

only supports XMP modules if installing an Ivy Bridge CPU.

My only other option option is to go Z77, with the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/giga...-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-30-d-sub-dvi-d-hdmi-atx

This board shows no incompatibility between Sandy Bridge CPU's & XMP Ready RAM.

Have I gotten all of this right?

Also are there any cheaper alternatives out there which meet all my requirements?

Thanks!
 
I'd go for the Gigabyte Z77 board but don't buy it from Scan. I'd look elsewhere, apparently Scan aren't a great company. :/

You can use 1600MHz memory with SB processors with no problems and nearly all the boards support up to like 2200MHz RAM, so 1600 will work just fine. Your Patriot memory should work fine with that Z77 board.
 
Okay thanks! :D I've never had a problem with scan myself, and I've ordered from them a lot, I guess each retailer has their good and bad feedback!

I will be buying my Corsair Carbide 300r from them, as it's the only 'reputable' retailer I can find it for at £53 :P

The board itself I am now going to purchase elsewhere, for £10 cheaper! :D
 
Overclockers have the 300R for £60 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-063-CS but if you say Scan has been OK for you then order it from them.

You will have to go into the BIOS and set the RAM speeds yourself I think, just to let you know, but I think you already had that figured. :D That board can take up to 32GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM by the way. 1600MHz looks likes the fastest speed which that board will support.
 
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I'd recommend the 300R :D Its epic and sleek :D

On mobo side, I'd go for the Z77 then from Gigabyte. Good quality boards. Otherwise an Asus Z77.
 
Just agreed with my dad on a £400 budget, and I've sorted out the specs!

I will then be spending £150 from my birthday money to pick up the ram and graphics card.

Also, I got a letter through the post today, Natwest are refunding me £167.53 for overdebiting my account with interest, LOL.

I can now buy all my audio gear just after I get my computer stuffs!

:good:

I'll post up the specs in this thread a bit later on!
 
I just bought this one myself :D. It's a socket 1155, not sure what you were looking for. It's also got a Z77 chipset.
 
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