Calling all GPU and Mobo experts

[Guest]

Okay so here's the stitch, In the middle of planning out my new build, Finally settled on a GPU but can't find a motherboard I'm happy with. I now have a migraine from trying to find one, hopefully someone can help?

The GPU is a Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X and I plan on purchasing a second one to crossfire in the future , So the board needs to support two 12'' GPU's. I really want this GPU.
Also would love if the board has integrated surround sound, to save buying an extra sound card because there's no doubt I'm not going to have room after the two GPU's.

Any suggestions appreciated , thanks!

 

[maestro0428]

Most MBs have integrated 5.1 or 7.1 sound. I use ASRock boards and have for the last several years. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157502&cm_re=asrock_z97-_-13-157-502-_-Product This is an awesome board and even matches your gpu choice. Love your GIF by the way, hilarious.

 

[Vexillarius]

Almost all decent boards have integrated 5.1 or 7.1 surround these days. What you need to look out for is a board that has two PCIe slots. Preferably one that can run both cards at x8. The size of the case is more important really.

Are you planning on overclocking? What CPU will you use? Without that information I can't make a suggestion.

Can I ask why you want the R9 290 so bad? The GTX970 outperforms it (slightly), uses way less power and it gets less hot.

 

[Guest]

Almost all decent boards have integrated 5.1 or 7.1 surround these days. What you need to look out for is a board that has two PCIe slots. Preferably one that can run both cards at x8. The size of the case is more important really.

Are you planning on overclocking? What CPU will you use? Without that information I can't make a suggestion.

Can I ask why you want the R9 290 so bad? The GTX970 outperforms it (slightly), uses way less power and it gets less hot.

That's the thing , which CPU I get will also depend on the motherboard, I'm either getting an FX-8350 or an i7-4790K. I do plan on overclocking in the future.

The GTX970? I'll assume you are referring to the EVGA GTX 970, ehh the extra performance isn't worth it for the money. The power and heat isn't an issue. Why wouldn't I want this baby?

Whats your opinion on the board maestro suggested?

 

[Vexillarius]

The gap between the FX-8350 and the i7-4790k is massive. The i7 is better in pretty much every way. You could even save some money and go with the i5-4690k. In games it performs almost identical to the i7 while being $100 cheaper.

Do you have a budget in mind?

I wouldn't want a R9 290, it's loud, power-hungry and outperformed by the 970... The price should be very similar, though it depends on the manufacturer of course.

EDIT: The board maestro suggested seems overkill to me, way too expensive. I'd only consider it if you plan on 3-way or 4-way Crossfire/SLI.

EDIT2: This would be a good fit:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $137.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-05 09:55 EDT-0400

 

[Guest]

The gap between the FX-8350 and the i7-4790k is massive. The i7 is better in pretty much every way. You could even save some money and go with the i5-4690k. In games it performs almost identical to the i7 while being $100 cheaper.

Do you have a budget in mind?

I wouldn't want a R9 290, it's loud, power-hungry and outperformed by the 970... The price should be very similar, though it depends on the manufacturer of course.

I'm really not in the mood for an Intel vs AMD argument right now, i've got a huge hormone headache and its shit late.

if it's an lga socket board ill get the i7-4790k if its an am3 board ill get the Fx-8350, that's what I meant but yeah I am leaning towards the i7 more as it has more processing power for heavier applications. Though now rethinking it an FX-9370 would be a better choice if I were to go with AMD.

As for the graphics card, what kind of performance does the 970 have against the R90? The R90 is $299 and the 970 is $349.99 it's also a matter of what's available to me as im in Australia and importing parts tends to rip a hole in your pocket over here.

Edit: Hmm that board doesn't seem to be that feature rich, are you sure it'll fit the two R90's? If i'm to go with them.

 

[Vexillarius]

I'm not trying to start a brand argument, I'm just comparing a couple of CPUs. If and when AMD builds a better CPU than Intel in this price range I'll switch in a heartbeat. Right now, the FX-83xx is only recommended for budget systems, budget workstations in particular.

I also wouldn't recommend the FX-9370, it's still outperformed by the Intel CPUs while consuming enormous amounts of power and generating tons of heat. The FX-9590 is even worse.

Here's a bunch of benchmarks: http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/4
Though if the difference is $50 I can understand the choice for the R9 290.

EDIT: The Z97-A will run 2 R9 290s without a problem. As for the features, most people don't need more than this. If you do you could definitely consider other boards, but they'll come at a premium.

 

[Guest]

I'm not trying to start a brand argument, I'm just comparing a couple of CPUs. If and when AMD builds a better CPU than Intel in this price range I'll switch in a heartbeat. Right now, the FX-83xx is only recommended for budget systems, budget workstations in particular.

I also wouldn't recommend the FX-9370, it's still outperformed by the Intel CPUs while consuming enormous amounts of power and generating tons of heat. The FX-9590 is even worse.

Here's a bunch of benchmarks: http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/4
Though if the difference is $50 I can understand the choice for the R9 290.

EDIT: The Z97-A will run 2 R9 290s without a problem. As for the features, most people don't need more than this. If you do you could definitely consider other boards, but they'll come at a premium.

I already know Intel out performs AMD I was just leaving my options open in case an AM3 board was perfect for my GPU. Thanks for the motherboard , i'm looking over it and it seems to fit nicely, i'm just a bit hesitant that it might bottle-neck my build in future upgrades..will it? If you haven't realized I only just got into building PC's, wish I knew more, would make everything so much easier.

I think i'll go with the i7-4790k so I guess LGA mobo it is.

Edit: Don't get my GPU choice confused, im getting the SAPPHIRE TRI-X Radeon r90 not the AMD Radeon r90.

 

[Vexillarius]

Fair enough, an open mind is a good thing

The Z97-A won't bottleneck you in the future, unless your planning on using 3 or 4 graphics cards. It has the right socket for the upcoming Broadwell CPUs in case you want to upgrade the CPU later (with an i7 you won't have to for many years though). It also has an M.2 and a SATA Express port. It has 8+2 phase power which is good for overclocking. It supports 7.1 surround sound. The list goes on and on. It's a good board.

The R9 290 is a design made by AMD. Sapphire, Asus, Powercolor, MSI, etc are the ones who actually manufacture the card, often with factory overclocks. The Sapphire TRI-X R9 290 is an AMD Radeon R9 290, manufactured by Sapphire.

 

[Guest]

Fair enough, an open mind is a good thing

The Z97-A won't bottleneck you in the future, unless your planning on using 3 or 4 graphics cards. It has the right socket for the upcoming Broadwell CPUs in case you want to upgrade the CPU later (with an i7 you won't have to for many years though). It also has an M.2 and a SATA Express port. It has 8+2 phase power which is good for overclocking. It supports 7.1 surround sound. The list goes on and on. It's a good board.

The R9 290 is a design made by AMD. Sapphire, Asus, Powercolor, MSI, etc are the ones who actually manufacture the card, often with factory overclocks. The Sapphire TRI-X R9 290 is an AMD Radeon R9 290, manufactured by Sapphire.

To be honest i'm always getting the names mixed up. I agree it seems like a great board.
Can I have your opinion on this board? www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131989 It seems to have the same features as the z97 but with amazing onbord audio for a little extra.

Edit: actually upon further looking, the Z97 actually seems to be better, and the VI HERO has the same 7.1 sound. Hmm. The Z97 has higher memory capacity and more space for GPU.

 

[Vexillarius]

That is a great board, but it has the Z87 chipset, which doesn't always play nice with Haswell-R CPUs (including the 4790K and 4690K). There's a Z97 version for a small premium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132125

In fact, that's the board I have. The audio is pretty great indeed.

 

[Guest]

That is a great board, but it has the Z87 chipset, which doesn't always play nice with Haswell-R CPUs (including the 4790K and 4690K). There's a Z97 version for a small premium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132125

In fact, that's the board I have. The audio is pretty great indeed.

Tsssk. Now this is the hard part, deciding which one. You're the expert, what do you think?

 

[Vexillarius]

It depends on how much money you're willing to spend.

The Z97-A is enough for all intents and purposes, while the Maximus VII Hero is a premium board.

 

[Guest]

It depends on how much money you're willing to spend.

The Z97-A is enough for all intents and purposes, while the Maximus VII Hero is a premium board.

Will the Maximus fit the two GPU's?

 

[Vexillarius]

Yes.

 

[Guest]

Yes.

Then I have my answer, i'm willing to pay more for a premium board. Thanks for all your help, you really helped this gal out.

 

[Vexillarius]

No problem
Good luck with the build!