Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe?

[pandakiller184]

Hello! I am helping one of my friends with a build! He wants to do 3-way SLI with the new X79 chipset, and he can't decide which motherboard to use for his build. (he has decided everything else to use) He has found 2 motherboards, the GA-X79A-UD5 and the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe, and they both appeal to him. So, the question remains: Should he buy the Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe? His current specs are listed below as what he wants, and what he has.




HAS | WANTS

Motherboard: MSI Big Bang Xpower | Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe
Processor: Intel i7-950 | i7-3930k
Memory: Kingston HyperX 12gb 1600mhz | g.Skill Ripjaws Z 64gb 1600mhz
Case: Lian-Li PC-T60B | Same case
Power Supply: XFX Black Edition 1000w | NZXT HALE90 1000w
Hard Drive: 600gb WD Velociraptor | Corsair Force GT 60gb for boot, Corsair Force GT 480gb for data
GPU Setup: 3 ASUS ENGTX480 | 3 ASUS ENGTX580
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212+ | Liquid Cooling using the Exos 2 and the DD-M6
GPU Cooling Method: Air (Stock Cooler) | Liquid Cooling using the Exos 2.5 and the DD-GTX580

 

[sosofm]

Buy the cheapest. Both are great motherboards.

 

[jaquith]

ONLY ASUS! There's a C1 bug with the SB-E CPU's, and only the ASUS's BIOS has been 'immune' from OC'ing issues.

IMO look at the ASUS Rampage IV Extreme, it's worth every penny of the +$70 USD; side-by-side -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001315%2040000280&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=280%7C13-131-802%5E13-131-802-TS%2C13-131-799%5E13-131-799-TS

GPU(s), soon nVidia will be releasing their GTX 600 series and YES IMO wait! Otherwise, the AMD HD 7970 if you cannot wait...

(HAS) Most important, the i7-950 is LGA 1366 and will NOT work on the X79/LGA 2011 MOBO's. (WANTS) However, in contrast the i7-3930k is a SB-E / LGA 2011 CPU and will work on the X79/LGA 2011 MOBO's.

PSU, you'll need more than a 1000W to run 3-WAY GTX 580's on the SB-E. At the very minimum look at a 1500W if not (2) PSU's. PSU calculator - http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power

I'd look at Koolance -> http://www.koolance.com/default.php and/or EK -> http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/

Further, if this is for a triple HD monitor setup then only look at 3GB vRAM GTX 580's, and if water cooling be VERY careful that the Blocks FIT the GPU's, all current ASUS GTX 580's are NOT 'reference' and therefore the blocks probably won't fit (I didn't look at the DD-GTX580). IMO simply get the pre-blocked EVGA 03G-P3-1591-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) Hydro Copper 2 3072MB.

 

[pandakiller184]

The power calculator said I'd need 899 watts, and the PC-T60B from Lian-Li supports up to only standard ATX form factor, and the Rampage IV Extreme is eATX form factor. Besides, ASUS does make a reference GTX580 card. I have the link below.


http://usa.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/NVIDIA_Series/ENGTX5802DI1536MD5/

 

[stephenjones]

Gigabyte is the most trusted computer parts making brands. It provide quality with affordable price. I have also use the Gigabyte motherboard from 2 years it is work effectively without giving any problems.

 

[jaquith]

The power calculator said I'd need 899 watts, and the PC-T60B from Lian-Li supports up to only standard ATX form factor, and the Rampage IV Extreme is eATX form factor. Besides, ASUS does make a reference GTX580 card. I have the link below.

There's no way you calculated it correctly, just the GTX 580's can draw 250W~350W+ each depending on their OC (750W~1050W) and OC'ing the SB-E to 4.8GHz @ 1.50v add another 250W over normal load, then you need to factor in: Pump(s), Fans, 90%~100% TDP, 90%~100% Load and at minimum 25%~30% Aging. You'll end-up 1300W or higher without me even running the calculator.

The ASUS ENGTX580/2DI/1536MD5 is EOL and no longer in production for quite some time. The current ASUS ENGTX580 DCII/2DIS/1536MD5 and ENGTX580/2DI/1536MD5 will vRAM bottleneck many games with multiple monitors.

Obviously, I know the R4E is EATX the Lian-Li PC-T60B is a $80 Test Bench not a case, and makes no sense running a 'blocked' system -- so I assumed a 'real' case is/was in the picture and the Lian-Li PC-T60B was a typo or something odd. Frankly, none of this makes much sense.

 

[pandakiller184]

How about a case like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

And obviously, the Exos 2 would be replaced with a Corsair H100.

 

[jaquith]

I'm sure you're a great guy and want to help your friend. I would strongly recommend someone full spec a system and probably build it for your friend; the typical cost is $1,000 to $1,500 for a building fee. I only do local builds, but I know a few that are okay with shipping.

That said, a $100 case, most of them, are no place for a full water blocked system and 3-WAY SLI/CF rig. First, there's no place for radiator(s), insufficient ventilation, lacking PCIe slots, etc -- to many things to list.

I'd take a look at both my thread and many of the other builds listed; see 'Jaquith's Ultimate Eye Candy Delight' -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/302308-30-asus-system-design-contest-round#t2037668 ; this thread was started two months ago and the prices and availability have changed, but the general 'gist' remains.

Personally, a 3-WAY GTX 580 fully block system is going to run over $5,000. I had to skimp on a few components e.g. i7-3930K vs preferred i7-3960X, etc. Cases Corsair Obsidian Series 800D or Silverstone Temjin Series, etc.

 

[pandakiller184]

OK, how about this case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

 

[jaquith]

The CM HAF X is fine, just horrible if you want/need hot-swap drives; IF you do then don't get it. There are only a few really good cases and then there's the rest.

I try to avoid recommending cases because its "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing with choices.

 

[pandakiller184]

The reason I chose the HAF-X was because of the support for an internal 360mm radiator. It also supports up to XL-ATX motherboards. Not to advertise for CM or anything, but I use the HAF-X for my LGA2011 EVGA X79 4-way SLI build, and I am VERY impressed with it. It has withstood a full window kit and it can hold a BIG motherboard. I like it.

 

[jaquith]

I've built four R4E + 4-WAY GTX 580's so far and all of them on the Corsair Obsidian Series 800D it too holds a 3x120 radiator, and you can also fit more. Again, folks have their own likes and dislikes.

 

[pandakiller184]

What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517017

My little brother used it in a recent build of his, and he likes it a TON, but then again, he's only built 1 other system before, so I want the opinion of an experienced builder.

 

[jaquith]

My experience is mostly the Corsair 800D, Silverstone Temjin Series, Lian-Li, Cooler Master, custom cases, HTPC, etc, but I've never used AZZA. I personally am not a huge fan of plastic molded cases. Therefore, if interested Google 2~3 reviews and see what they say.

 

[pandakiller184]

How about this?

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14283/cst-1234/Custom_SilverStone_Temjin_SST-TJ07BW_Full_Tower_Case_w_Window_-_Single_Loop_Quad_Edition.html#blank

Obviously, the CPU Block would be replaced with GPU Waterblocks and of course, dual 184mm (dual 92mm) radiator for the CPU.