Hi all,
 
I'd like to have them both in this build, but primarily as a DAW. I'm not an "extreme" overclocker, but do like to have a 1 button-push-OCing machine/easy BIOS using an i7 3770k LGA 1155. 
 
I've been reading reviews on some of these Z77 boards and it's a bit hard to keep up with all the tech stuff going on, but I'm hoping you could help me decide on a decent Mobo (around $200...negotiable) that'll fit my needs. I'll be using Win7x64.
 
I know ASUS and Gigabyte come highly reliable, but AsRock & MSI have been (as of late) coming up with some very good boards (for less) and seem to have features that only some the higher end ASUS/GB boards have.
 
On the AnadTech site, the MSI Z77MPower got good reviews:
 http://www.anandtech.com/show/6694/msi-z77-mpower-review-the-xpowers-little-brother
 
As well as the AsRock Z77 OC Formula:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6650/asrock-z77-oc-formula-review-living-in-the-fast-lane
 
I'd like to have a board that's future compatibility where I can keep adding components as needed and one that will last.
 
What are some other recommendations or ideas of building a machine that can house both?
 
TIA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I narrowed it down to either Asus or Gigabyte and finally decided on the Gigabyte.  One thing I do not like are the chipset fans.  My Asus chipset fan has been replaced twice.  A little too much in 5 years.  My other Asus motherboard has run faithfully for about 15 years.  I have a Gigabyte motherboard that has five years on it and still runs great.
 
My last build was the Gigabyte GA-77X-UD5H.  I had one hiccup involving a bad driver.  Thanks to the folks at the Windows seven forums, I got past that little issue, here. 
 
I flipped back and forth between Windows 7 and Windows 8 and finally settled on Windows 8 Pro. 
 
I did try to future proof the system as best as I could, but I have one eSATA port left and one USB port left.  Oops. 
 
My one complaint is that there is only one old fashion PCI slot.  I lot of the boards I looked at had none. 
 
And finally get an ESD strap.  It will keep you from having headaches in the long run.
 
-JJ

+1 to the ESD Strap.
Well worth the $6 I paid for it at Radio Shack.

Out of the 2 board you linked to I tend to like the ASRock a little better.
Mainly for this:
"On the board itself we get integrated water cooling on the large VRM heatsink (like the ASUS Maximus V Formula), a liberal abuse of eight fan headers, 10 SATA ports (six SATA 6 Gbps), 8 USB 3.0 ports with 10 USB 2.0 ports for good measure, an ideal layout for dual-GPU setups, all the debug tools needed should anything go wrong, 13 (thirteen) onboard temperature sensors and even voltage read points for overclockers.  Features not readily apparent include a multiple filter cap system to reduce electrical noise, and switches to enable/disable PCIe slots (reduce instability when not in use)."
The 6 SATA-6Gbps is nice. With SSD's and HDD's all offering 6Gbps now it's nice to have the ports to actually make use of the speed.  
My board also came with the optional USB 3 front panel plate. I find it very convenient for connecting my external HD that is also USB 3.0.

As I mentioned to you before be sure that the board you get has ample headers for system fans, USB and SATA ports and whatever else you think you may need. I needed one more USB 2 header and fortunately found a cheap work-around.

And since you will be gaming too you will most likely be running at least one video card. These tend to put off some heat so the 8 sys fan headers will come in handy. 
Just be sure to get a case that can accommodate more than 2 fans. Since heat rises it's a good idea to have the option to have a fan ventilate out the top of the case.

My case has a 120mm front fan - intake, a 140mm top fan - exhaust and the back fan location is used for my cpu cooler radiator that is sucking cool air in from outside. So I have cool air coming in from bottom front, mid back and hot air venting out center top.

I know this is more than what you've asked but I found that during my build all these things tie into MB purchase. I returned my first case because as I started to mentally put things together I found my case didn't have adequate ventilation.  

 
Mike

Thanks for the replies JJ & Mike.

Excellent tips on the fans Mike. I was thinking of an air cooling system rather than water as I'll be a light gamer and won't try to stress the system on a regular basis. 

As far as graphics cards are concerned, I already have an NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 video card that I'll remove from my current machine and use in the new build. I'm not sure if I'll need another or not......but, I'm planning on having dual monitors. 

I was planning on using my older mid tower case (Coolermaster AMMO 533) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119098 (discontinued). I haven't decided on a mobo yet, so I'm not sure if this case will work or not. 

As exciting as it is to build a high flying DAW/gaming system, the more I research on things, the more confusing it becomes....LOL. I think if I can get a good mobo to go with the i7 3770k, then it should be easier to build from there on.  

<<<Duplicate...>>>

My case measures 508(D) x 207(W) x 479.3(H)mm (20" D x 8" W x 19" H)
I was able to fit an ATX (full size) mobo if thats any help to you.

Any smaller than that and the ATX would not have fit.

Mike

I have Asus P8Z77 V Pro motherboard with I7 3770K. http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8Z77V_PRO/

However, tomorrow new processors and motherboards will be released. I am waiting for 4770K with Asus motherboard. TogerDirect has exclusive release day deals sign up off their main page. The price for 4770k should be the same as 3770 K at releaset- $339.00. Here is the link to new z87 models. http://www.anandtech.com/show/6970/haswell-z87-motherboard-preview-50-motherboards-from-asus-gigabyte-asrock-msi-ecs-biostar-and-evga It is comming up any day now. Soon as they released, I will post a link to my build discussion. Hanging out on Tom's hardware forums.

I went with the Corsair Hydro Series H55 Liquid CPU Cooler.  I don't plan to do any overclocking, either.  But given how crowded everything is around the processor and that how tall my RAM sticks were, the liquid cooler made more sense.  There is a youtube video on how to install the cooler.  I really took my time, it was my first cooler, but it was installed without a hitch. 

Other than the processor, everything else is air cooled.  I did go crazy with the case fans, 5, plus the radiator fan for the cooler and the power supply fan. 

I'm not sure how your budget is, but I would upgrade the case.  It makes it a lot easier to install the motherboard in a new case.   I went with the Fractal Design Define XL R2 Case, it is big, heavy and quiet, very quiet. 

I went with the 3770k because it has been around and is tried and tested. 

I knew as soon as I got my computer going Intel would release a new processor! 

I've been on the bleeding edge through many projects, there is something to be said for tried and tested.

-JJ

I knew as soon as I got my computer going Intel would release a new processor!

Me too.

But coming from an off the shelf HP laptop with an i3 chip, I am so ok with my 3770k.


Mesh, here comes more info you didn't ask for .   
If you do decide to get a new case (and you don't have to. I kind of like yours) I bought THIS ONE and it really is quiet. My laptop makes more noise than my desktop.


Mike

chefmike8888

I knew as soon as I got my computer going Intel would release a new processor!

Me too.

But coming from an off the shelf HP laptop with an i3 chip, I am so ok with my 3770k.


Mesh, here comes more info you didn't ask for .   
If you do decide to get a new case (and you don't have to. I kind of like yours) I bought THIS ONE and it really is quiet. My laptop makes more noise than my desktop.


Mike

LOL....the 4770k is definitely making me rethink (especially if the cost isn't that much different), but I'm not sure how much testing/stability it is been done one these Z87 boards and specifically w/X2?? 


I'm totally for building a state of the art rig that'll keep me going for some time, but it has to be first of all stable/practical. I even like the Thundebolt/Wifi/Bluetooth support etc....as I might be able to take advantage of some of these, but again, the stability is the important factor.


I read another head to head review of the MSI Mpower vs. the AsRock OC Formula, and the MSI board came out slightly higher in every category they tested :http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Z77-Motherboard-Shootout-MSI-vs-ASRock-/?page=1 ....but, I don't really know if those differences are enough to make one board better than the other. I think what I really want is all the features of the higher end boards at the price of a mid-range board without compromising on stability.....:))


Has X2 been tested with these Haswell processor's yet? (Aiyy Carrumba.....more research....)