First of all, thanks for putting up with all my questions lately. There's a lot more to building a computer than I first thought. I have settled on most things but am searching for opinions from the bright souls here on my motherboard choice.
My processor choice is an Intel i7-4790 Haswell (4th Gen) - LGA 1150.
I THINK I have my motherboard choices down to three options, all ASUS. The specs look almost identical, but the middle one is wi-fi ac. I know this is asking a lot but I'm stumped. I want a very good motherboard, but don't want to spend unnecessarily either. Would you techno folks be kind enough to open the link and check these three units out and recommend the best unit. Usage is strictly photo editing and occasional internet usage.
One last (yeah, right!) question - should I get an aftermarket CPU cooling fan, or is the one that comes with the processor sufficient. I've chosen a gaming case because of the extra ventilation capability (3ea. 120mm fans). Do I need additional for the CPU?
MANY thanks for putting up with me as I learn this stuff.
LINK BELOW:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001315%20600438202%20600009016&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280%7C13-132-116%5E13-132-116-TS%2C13-132-124%5E13-132-124-TS%2C13-132-117%5E13-132-117-TS&percm=13-132-116%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-132-124%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-132-117%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24 - See more at: http://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=245142#sthash.T0TSmCAP.dpuf
Bill, I did a little looking around and this appears to be nice MoBo. If you intend to push the i7, or overclock it at some point, the stock heatsink may not be enough. Take a look at the Cooler Master Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler. Here's an article from the good folks at Puget Systems about this cooler. Another to look at is the Scythe Katana-3. I have this cooler in my machine and it really works. The Cooler Master and the Scythe Katana have nearly identical performance figures.
Thanks Preston - I did look at the Cooler Master Hyper TX3, but I think I'll go with the Cooler Master Hyper T4 because the fan is a bit larger (120mm vs. 92 mm). It only costs $3 more too.
I have few recommendations. For the motherboard, it largely comes down to what ports and connectors you want, but the ASUS Sabertooth line is OUTSTANDING. We've found it to be 5-10x more reliable than their other desktop boards. They also throw in a 5 year warranty. But, the Sabertooth Mark 1 is quite a bit more expensive. Go with the Sabertooth Mark 2. It is a LOT cheaper, and the only major differences are that it only has one network port (which is fine for 99% of people out there), and it doesn't have the "Thermal Armor". The thermal armor is more about marketing than performance. We've done thermal imaging with and without thermal armor and in there is little to no difference. The ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2 is cheaper than the three boards you listed, and in my opinion, a better board. But again, it comes down to what features and connectors you want.
The reason we prefer the TX3 to the T4 is that the mounting is more secure, safer for shipping, and easier to work on in the field (if a customer upgrades a CPU). If those aren't a concern, the T4 should be fine. The Scythe Katana 4 is also very nice, but it doesn't look like NewEgg has very good pricing for it. It should run you $29, and we've found it to perform better than the CM TX3 and T4. It also has simple and secure mounting (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Scythe/Katana4/4.html).
Wow, how cool is it to get such informative replies!!!
I am looking at a getting a new computer for my photography soon, so I'm saving this thread for future reference!!!!
You're right Genny - Preston knows a tremendous amount of information and Jon is the Owner & Founder of Puget Systems. How wonderful it for both to contribute. If you're going to buy a systems instead of building one I would HIGHLY recommend Puget Systems. I know a couple of folks (Preston is one of them) that own Puget Systems computer and they're very happy with them.
Just curious, are you adding a video card, and if so, which one? If you want to keep noise down, you might consider a 'silent' i.e. passively cooled card such as the Asus GeForce GT 640 2GB Passive. This assumes you will doing mostly routine computing and still image work. If you'll be doing video and/or gaming, you'll need a beefier (and more expensive) card.
Hmm? I have an idea--Could you post your component choices, such as; case, MoBo, fans, RAM, SSD/HD, power supply, etc.? That way we can see what you're up to, and perhaps offer alternatives that will work better, and/or save you some money.
As part of your research, you might consider hopping over to Puget's site and look at some of their staff member's comments about specific components. Also, take a look at the detailed component reviews at Anandtech--lots of good stuff at both places.
Discussion
7 repliesMy processor choice is an Intel i7-4790 Haswell (4th Gen) - LGA 1150.
I THINK I have my motherboard choices down to three options, all ASUS. The specs look almost identical, but the middle one is wi-fi ac. I know this is asking a lot but I'm stumped. I want a very good motherboard, but don't want to spend unnecessarily either. Would you techno folks be kind enough to open the link and check these three units out and recommend the best unit. Usage is strictly photo editing and occasional internet usage.
One last (yeah, right!) question - should I get an aftermarket CPU cooling fan, or is the one that comes with the processor sufficient. I've chosen a gaming case because of the extra ventilation capability (3ea. 120mm fans). Do I need additional for the CPU?
MANY thanks for putting up with me as I learn this stuff.
LINK BELOW:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001315%20600438202%20600009016&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280%7C13-132-116%5E13-132-116-TS%2C13-132-124%5E13-132-124-TS%2C13-132-117%5E13-132-117-TS&percm=13-132-116%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-132-124%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13-132-117%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24 - See more at: http://www.naturescapes.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=245142#sthash.T0TSmCAP.dpuf
--P
I have few recommendations. For the motherboard, it largely comes down to what ports and connectors you want, but the ASUS Sabertooth line is OUTSTANDING. We've found it to be 5-10x more reliable than their other desktop boards. They also throw in a 5 year warranty. But, the Sabertooth Mark 1 is quite a bit more expensive. Go with the Sabertooth Mark 2. It is a LOT cheaper, and the only major differences are that it only has one network port (which is fine for 99% of people out there), and it doesn't have the "Thermal Armor". The thermal armor is more about marketing than performance. We've done thermal imaging with and without thermal armor and in there is little to no difference. The ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2 is cheaper than the three boards you listed, and in my opinion, a better board. But again, it comes down to what features and connectors you want.
The reason we prefer the TX3 to the T4 is that the mounting is more secure, safer for shipping, and easier to work on in the field (if a customer upgrades a CPU). If those aren't a concern, the T4 should be fine. The Scythe Katana 4 is also very nice, but it doesn't look like NewEgg has very good pricing for it. It should run you $29, and we've found it to perform better than the CM TX3 and T4. It also has simple and secure mounting (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Scythe/Katana4/4.html).
I am looking at a getting a new computer for my photography soon, so I'm saving this thread for future reference!!!!
Just curious, are you adding a video card, and if so, which one? If you want to keep noise down, you might consider a 'silent' i.e. passively cooled card such as the Asus GeForce GT 640 2GB Passive. This assumes you will doing mostly routine computing and still image work. If you'll be doing video and/or gaming, you'll need a beefier (and more expensive) card.
Hmm? I have an idea--Could you post your component choices, such as; case, MoBo, fans, RAM, SSD/HD, power supply, etc.? That way we can see what you're up to, and perhaps offer alternatives that will work better, and/or save you some money.
As part of your research, you might consider hopping over to Puget's site and look at some of their staff member's comments about specific components. Also, take a look at the detailed component reviews at Anandtech--lots of good stuff at both places.
Have fun!
--P