New Motherboard

[trl]

Putting together a new computer, and just need to purchase the processor, mother board, and memory. I was in the process of getting, a suggested to me, ASrock Fatal1ty X99X Killer LGA 2011-v3 board. I noticed that usb 3.1 was coming out. This board does not seem to be available in the u.s. I would like to finish this project soon, so need some suggestions for an alternative board with usb 3.1, as that I am told is the way to to for the future. I am not that much into computers so when I try to compare different boards there is always some spec., or component I do not understand. I can spend up to 450 us dollars, perhaps a bit more. Can some of you give me some suggestions, boards from any reputable manufacturer.
Thanks so much, Todd

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

Welcome to the forum.

A web search using: x99 motherboard with usb 3.1 will provide information about usb 3.1 hardware for X99 motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc....1&PageSize=90 provides a list of X99 LGA 2011-v3 boards that offer usb 3.1 hardware.

Look for motherboard reviews that include details about the usb 3.1 implementation and performance.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

thanks for the response. Have been there, the problem is I am not into computers that much. Every couple years a friend or two will tell me what to purchase and they put together, this year the same. This time they are not around for a couple weeks, and wanted to get everything together when they are back into town. So when I compare I am not sure what I am looking for. I have a print out of the ASrock Killer mother board. When I try to compare to other boards, they offer other options. Not sure what I need. So if I might ask you to go out a bit and recommend a board or two, that is close, or has new and improved options. Again, can go up to around 450. I am a casual gamer, and will mostly be used for photo and film editing. And just trying to future proof for the next few years, as best as possible.
And again thanks so much for your patience.

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

You're welcome.

You should wait for your knowledgeable friends to return before you buy any hardware.

You need to verify that the memory kits that you buy are compatible with the new motherboard. This means that the mobo manufacturer has tested the memory kit or that the memory manufacturer has tested their memory kit with the motherboard. You can't just go out and buy any DDR4 memory kit and expect it to work with any LGA 2011-v3 motherboard model. The forum has many threads where buyers found that their memory kits were not compatible with their motherboard.

I see usb 3.1 has a new hardware enhancement that will provide improvements with external usb 3.1 drives but the best drive performance will still be internal drives that are connected to the native Intel sata3 ports.

Have you factored in the prices of the following hardware?

New, high quality power supply, about $100 - $200
DDR4 Memory kits:

• 16GB (4x4GB) $143 - $1000
• 32GB (4x8GB) $295 - $800
• 64GB (8x8GB) $630 - $1010

With high end image and video software you will probably need at least 32GB or 64GB kit for better performance.

• Haswell-E cpu: $390, $580 or $1050
• Cpu cooler, $75 - $150
• 500GB or larger ssd for the operating system and scratch disk for high end image and video processing.
• Several high end, high performance hard disks for storing data, including images and videos.
• A new computer case and/or higher end monitor.

You should read motherboard reviews from the best review sites where you skip the details and focus on their conclusions.
HardOCP is one of my favorite hardware review sites because they are brutally honest about any problems or shortcomings that they find. For example, in their HARDOCP - Introduction - MSI X99A MPower LGA 2011-v3 Motherboard Review, in their conclusion they say:

The Bottom Line

The MSI X99A MPower motherboard is an overall good motherboard but it exhibited a couple of issues in our testing that make it hard to suggest for purchase. Given that it is a $299 at Newegg, it makes it sort of hard to swallow the quirks. When it comes to overclocking the X99A did not show to be an "edge of the envelope" motherboard, so those looking to push your new Haswell-E processor to it limits should likely look elsewhere.

A web search using: usb 3.1 pci-express add-on card shows several available usb 3.1 pci-express add-on cards $45 - $50, some prices might be higher.

Several links that evaluate usb 3.1 performance:

• ASUS Goes USB 3.1: Motherboards, PCIe Cards and Enclosures Tested
• List of Upcoming USB 3.1 Devices Expected by Mid-2015 | PC Perspective
• Search for "usb 3.1" - Legit Reviews
• A first look at USB 3.1 performance - The Tech Report - Page 2
• http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/716...nce/index.html

One possible issue with using a usb 3.1 add-in card is the pci-e bandwith. A lower end motherboard might not provide optimal usb 3.1 performance if it is installed in a pci-e 2.0 slot. You will probably find that some or most of the higher priced motherboards have more pci-e 3.0 slots.

One subject that I have avoided is motherboards that have one or more of the newest generation ssd slots that provide even better real world performance.

I hope this helps.

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

One more link that might help:

Photoshop Help / Optimize performance

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb...p-cs4-cs5.html

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

After talking with a couple computer experts, I believed have narrowed it down to either the ASUS X99 PRO, or the ASUS X99 Deluxe. I see very little difference between the two, looks likse a few bells and whistles, but only 50.00 apart. Unless you have some objections will probably purchase the Deluxe.
If you have other thoughts, please feel free to let men know, thanks so much for your valuable time, Todd.

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

Glad to help out.

For $50 more, I would go with the Deluxe model.
Newegg currently has a $15 promo code discount for the Deluxe model, but their promo codes are usually only for a short time.
You should contact Newegg support tomorrow to find out how long the Deluxe model's promo code is in effect.
If you are not already a Newegg subscriber, you can sign up to receive their email offers and then apply the promo discount to your order.
Check out the additional benefits when paying for Newegg's Premier account.

You can check the Asus memory QVL list to find out which memory kits have been tested with the motherboard model.
You can also go to several memory manufacturers' web sites to check out which kits are compatible with the motherboard.
Keep in mind that the memory manufacturer's compatibility list will be more up to date than the motherboard manufacturers' list.

Your knowledgeable computer friends can probably advise you on the optimal ssd setup where using the M2 connector(s) should provide the best performance.

Good luck with your new build.
Let us know how it turns out.

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

Will order the Deluxe today. As for memory, when I go to the manufacturer site, what type of memory will I be looking for, for that board? Nest to DDR4 there are many sets of numbers, which one is correct. And can you recommend two or three memory manufacturers that are good?
Thanks so much for your assistance, the processor I will probably use is the i7-5930K.
I already have the SSD, a Samsung PRO 500 gb. And two 2 terabyte WD RED'S.
The case is a Storm Stryker
Power supply is Seasonic 1050 gold
Video card is Asus Gforce GTX 980 STRIX
Should I get more fans?
More SSD's?
A couple more WD REDS?

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

So many questions!!

Keep in mind that none of the Haswell-E processors come with a cpu cooler.
If you use an AOI (all-in-one) water cooled setup, you will need excellent airflow in your computer case to provide optimal cooling for motherboard components.

The WD red hard drives are designed for a separate NAS (network attached system) setup and I'm guessing that they might be OK when used as internal hard drives.

I'm a firm believer in having two different backup hard drives, where each drive has identical backups, where one backup drive is a duplicate of the other backup drive and neither of these backup drives are permanently connected to my system. If something nasty happens to my system, I don't want either of my backup drives to be lost or damaged. Last month my four year old Seasonic X-650 suddenly died with a loud pop while my system was running. Fortunately none of the remaining hardware in my system was damaged. If I had a lower quality power supply I probably would not have been as lucky.

I have two 3TB hard drives for my backups and each of these drives are in separate external enclosures.

Using two ssd's in a raid0 setup will optimize your systems performance, but you can later clone your operating system partition to a raid0 setup pretty easily. The ssd performance with my older Q9550/P45 system is limited to sata2 bandwidth, but I'm about to clone my O/S drive to a dual 250GB ssd raid0 setup where the total size of the raid0 array will be 500GB. My benchmark results on the raid0 setup is nearly double the speed of my single ssd setup.

Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill and Kingston are some of the major memory manufacturers and all offer budget, mainstream and enthusiast grade memory kits. The best bang for your bucks will probably be with mainstream memory kits. You could start with a 4x8GB setup and if you find that you need more memory, you could later buy an identical 4x8GB memory kit for a total of 64GB. My preference would be to buy 64GB at one time to ensure that there won't be any memory compatibility problems in the future. The only problem is 64GB of mid-range DDR4 memory is expensive.

Here are several memory finder links:
Computer memory and SSD upgrades for ASUS ASUS Motherboards X99-DELUXE/U3.1 from Crucial Be sure to click on view more compatible memory upgrades.

Memory Finder slect type = motherboard, manufacturer = Asus, model = Asus X99-DELUXE/U3.1 and un-check 2400MHz speed rating to see all options.

G.SKILL - RAM Configurator G.Skill ram configurator

The Kingston memory finder is a bit user hostile because it only shows the value ram kit results.
My Kingston preference would be with one of their HyperX memory offerings instead of their value ram.
You can contact their U.S.A. tech support at U.S. Sales Support - End User -> +1 (800) 835-6575
or use their online chat at Contact Information | Kingston

My best SWAG** is that 2400MHz DDR4 memory will offer the best balance between price and performance.


If you decide to go with an air cooled cpu cooler, make sure that there won't be any problems with tall memory heat spreaders and the cpu cooler/fan setup.

My preference is to buy hardware from companies that have local tech support, in country that you live in, be it in the U.S.A., Europe, or wherever.

**SWAG = Scientific Wild A$$ed Guess

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

I did a quick Power Search at Newegg using the following memory search criteria:

Capacity : 16GB (4 x 4GB), 32GB (4 x 8GB), 32GB (8 x 4GB), 64GB (8 x 8GB), 32GB (2 x 16GB)
Type : 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM
Speed : DDR4 2666 (PC4-21300), DDR4 2400 (PC4-19200), DDR3 2133 (PC3 17060), DDR4 2133 (PC4-17000)

The price per GB of memory varies from $9 per GB to just over $15 per GB.

The price per GB is less with lower speed memory and increases with higher memory speeds.

Naturally you will need to see which kits are compatible with your new motherboard.

Computer Hardware, Memory, Desktop Memory, 16GB (4 x 4GB), 32GB (4 x 8GB), 32GB (8 x 4GB), 64GB (8 x 8GB), 32GB (2 x 16GB), 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM, DDR4 ... - Newegg.com

Happy shopping!!

**edit**
.... and here's a list of the DDR4 2800MHz - 3400MHz memory kits:
Computer Hardware, Memory, Desktop Memory, 16GB (4 x 4GB), 32GB (4 x 8GB), 32GB (8 x 4GB), 64GB (8 x 8GB), 32GB (2 x 16GB), 128GB (8 x 16GB), 16GB (2... - Newegg.com

Sorry, I couldn't resist posting the prices for the high priced memory kits.

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

Thank you so much again. I usually order form newegg as I am in Las Vegas, and they are in Southern California. Even with no extra charge for shipping, usually get it in one or two days. And they are reputable. For the past couple years have two external 2tb toshiba's that I can plug in or out.
I am going to order the processor tomorrow, newegg has a 20.00 promo off. I was going to ask you about cooling. The case has many fans, but was going to go with some liquid cooling. I think most cooling systems are around 100 dollars, anyone in particular you like? There are several that are all within about ten to twenty dollars of each, but again not sure which is best for the money, and compatible with the Intel processor. The case is full size so should have plenty of room for everything. From what I understand on full size cases lines are not long enough on some items.
If you ever get to Las Vegas, I owe you dinner.
Perhaps will purchase another Samsung 500gb pro and do as you suggest?

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

Keep in mind that if any of the new equipment is defective, you only have 30 days from the date of purchase to return/exchange the defective parts to Newegg. Otherwise you will need to RMA the faulty parts to the manufacturer.

Many of the $100+ AIO cpu water cooling kits have similar performance, but some are significantly less noisy than others.
Check out the most recent AIO reviews at HardOCP to see which units are best.
Be sure to check out some of the higher end Cooler Master AIO coolers.
I think that your Storm Stryker case has a 140mm rear case fan and this might be the easiest radiator to install, but....
....you will probably find that 240 - 280mm radiators provide better cooling and the fan's noise levels might be better or worse.
Another option, you might be able to remove the Stryker's top 200mm fan and attach the radiator to the top of the case.
It doesn't look like you could easily attach the radiator to the front/side or bottom of your case.
Do a web search using: storm stryker computer case radiator installation and you'll find helpful links and videos that will give you ideas as to what will or won't work.
You definitely won't have a half-fast system with a second 500GB Pro ssd where you will have a 1000GB raid0 setup.

Did you see the second memory price list that I just added to post #10?

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

Thank you for the edit, probably will go wit 4X8, I will just close my eyes and just pick a set. If you got my previous reply, looking for you suggested liquid cooling systems, and can order with the processor tomorrow. Thanks again.

[profJim]

Re: New Motherboard

Check out the April 2014 HARDOCP - Introduction - Cooler Master Glacer 240L AIO Liquid CPU Cooler Review.

[trl]

Re: New Motherboard

Have everything and up to date, heading off to work shortly, will talk again later this evening or tomorrow. Thanks my friend.