[exGopher]

Hello,
I recently started my first build, but it turns out that the motherboard I had bought, a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H, has a known problem with its memory bridge, and I have gotten 2 of them with the exact same problem. Obviously I'm returning them, and I'd like to get a different mobo to replace it. It would need to be socket 1155 and compatible with:
CPU: i5-3570K
Video card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660
The motherboard I was looking at before was 130$ after a mail-in rebate, so I'd be looking for something in the same price range.

Edited by exGopher, 02 January 2013 - 10:41 PM.

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Hello exGopher

Can you provide your Ram details for us so we can recommend a MB that is also compatible with that or is the Ram also being swapped.

[phillpower2]

Hello exGopher

Can you provide your Ram details for us so we can recommend a MB that is also compatible with that or is the Ram also being swapped.

[exGopher]

The ram will also be swapped, so I should be able to choose one that goes with the mobo.

[phillpower2]

MB http://www.outletpc....gn=pcpartpicker

Ram http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

Some other good compatible MBs @ http://www.squidoo.c...-pc-motherboard

[exGopher]

One thing I'm not really clear on is what the actual difference is between mobos.
For example, what would make me want to buy the one you suggested, http://www.outletpc....otherboard.html
over one from the page you linked to which costs about $20 less, http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B007MKGF82

[phillpower2]

The ASUS is a very good MB but if you read the second review regarding having to manually configure the Ram I think you will see why I did not suggest it.

You have to set the ram speed manually! My 1600 RAM was picked up as 1333 until I manually changed it.

[exGopher]

One last thing, would this heatsink work with that $135 mobo? http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103065

[phillpower2]

Yes it would work but a very important thing that you need to be aware of is that if you did use it you would void your CPU warranty, both AMD and Intel are clear on using anything other than the heatsink and fan supplied with a retail CPU, see below;

AMD;
This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith.
Full AMD article @ http://support.amd.c...earLimited.aspx

Intel;
damage to the Product due to external causes, including accident, problems with electrical power, abnormal electrical, mechanical or environmental conditions, usage not in accordance with product instructions, misuse, neglect, alteration, repair, improper installation, or improper testing;
Full Intel article available @ http://www.intel.com...b/cs-009862.htm

[exGopher]

-.- the reason I would be buying an aftermarket heatsink is that it was too hot with the stock one. Thanks for your help, I guess I'm gonna add the heatsink on last to make sure everything works before I void any warranties

[exGopher]

One last concern, from the amazon reviews for that motherboard (as far as I can tell, this is the same as the $135 mobo you recommended earlier), someone is saying that when he used the same heatsink/cooler I plan on using, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, in this mobo the heatsink was so big that it blocked him from using some RAM slots. Is this a real problem? He said that it took it down to 2 "usable" slots (he was also using the same ram you referred me to), so does it matter what slots the ram actually goes in? I know that for most mobos it says to put it in the 1st and 3rd, but if I'm forced to only put it in the 1st and second will it matter at all?

Sorry for how long that was.

[phillpower2]

The stock heatsink and fans that are shipped with a CPU are tested over and above the maximum normal operating temperatures, unless you are overclocking you will not need an aftermarket cooler as long as you have an effective internal case cooling system and all this normally requires is a front case fan for inducting clean cool air, a rear case fan to expel/exhaust the hot air and finally something that is often overlooked good internal cable management which reduces turbulence and so ensures through flow of cool clean air, the appropriate fans should be fitted of course - size and rpm and such.

The final decision is yours of course but personally I would not base a new build around an aftermarket cooler, also keep in mind that if you do not have effective case cooling as detailed above internal components such as the MB, Ram and video card will overheat and cause you problems.

[Wolfeymole]

Don't forget some good thermal compound Gopher.

Arctic Silver is reputedly the best.

Arctic Silver 5

[exGopher]

So could I build the computer fully using the stock fan, and then use a program like coretemp to see whether or not the stock heatsink is doing its job? Are programs like that actually accurate?

[phillpower2]

Yes and that is the correct way for you to go

There are a number of programs that you cam use and many MBs are provided with such a utility on the installation disk, Speedfan is a well known independent monitoring software which also has some tweaking ability, HWMonitor is a reporting only software and MSI Afterburner is another program that also has tweaking ability, it also works with other brands of MB.

Speedfan http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
Speedfan tutorial http://forum.microma...opic401598.aspx
HWMonitor http://www.cpuid.com.../hwmonitor.html
MSI Afterburner http://www.guru3d.co...wnload_msi.html

[exGopher]

totally disregard this, fixed my own problem

Edited by exGopher, 03 January 2013 - 02:22 PM.