Budget Z97 Mobo recommendation?

[billthedancingpony]

I'm trying to build my first computer, most of the parts *seem* easy enough but there are so many motherboards I don't know where to start. This is my build as of now (RAM, PSU, and case are stand-ins): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nNFLpg

This comes in at significantly over my budget ($600-$700) so I was hoping for a good but cheaper alternative Mobo. (I will be using the iGPU on the i3 for a while if this makes a difference.)

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

That Mobo is one of the best Z97 motherboards out there.

 

[tiny voices]

Why do you have a Z97 board with an i3? That is a waste of money. get an i5 4460 and an h97 board. MUCH better performance.

The PSU is low quality. Change it for an XFX, antec, Seasonic unit.

 

[popatim]

the AsRock z97 anniversary is a bit cheaper (by $50) but why are you bothering with a z-board when you have an i3 that cant be overclocked?

I would grab a G3258, saving $50+, overclock it and end up with better performance than the i3. This lets you save another $50 on that z-board because you can overclock that pentium with an h or b85 board.
[edit] Yes the G3258 is Overclockable!!!!
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-overclocking-performance,3849.html

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wBKDnQ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wBKDnQ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.66 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $690.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-22 20:26 EDT-0400

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

Also get a more Sexy case. its like the same thing but it just looks better.. not needed but it sexy

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CBKDnQ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CBKDnQ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.66 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus HF1 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $701.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-22 20:29 EDT-0400

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

my does it say the zalman case doesn't support the 212 evo? i seen people using them both

 

[tiny voices]

I would go with the corsair 200r over that Zalman. It is just better quality and an easier to work with. Plus it fits bigger coolers.

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

I would go with the corsair 200r over that Zalman. It is just better quality and an easier to work with. Plus it fits bigger coolers.

ahh.. a friend i found on a forums uses the Zalman and says it good but thanks for the suggestion

 

[tiny voices]

I have build in both cases and strongly prefer the 300r. It is simply better made. The Z11 is solid, but the 200r is all around a better case in my opinion.

 

[Bhavneet Pannu]

This should be your answer. it has the 300R as tiny voices said. and a bundle saving $15

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FMsQwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FMsQwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.66 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $689.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-22 20:37 EDT-0400

 

[billthedancingpony]

Questions!

1. What motherboard numbers (e.g. Z97) would be most upgrade-proof? This was most of my reasoning behind the Z97, which I think is newest? (If I'm probably never going to OC)

2. (This is more of a statement but whatever.) I was generally looking to avoid party's that need to overclock to be competitive, as I've never messed with built computers or settings and such.

3. The Pentium being so much cheaper scares me.

4. Is the only advantage of the Z97 overclocking? If so I'll just get anH97 or whatever you said.

 

[tiny voices]

Z97 is newest and built for overclocking. The H97 boards the just as new but meant for non-overclocking builds.

If you are not for overclocking, get an i3 4150 and the cheapest h97 board you can.

 

[billthedancingpony]

Yes thank you okay, I'll get the 4160 and start again looking for a decently featured H97 board. (4150 and 4160 just weren't on the partpicker website)

 

[tiny voices]

Sounds good to me!