F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Determine your requirements for tech and motherboard buying.

Determine your requirements for tech and motherboard buying.

Determine your requirements for tech and motherboard buying.

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juanma18c
Junior Member
43
05-14-2022, 03:01 AM
#1
Hey everyone, I'm looking for a motherboard recommendation. I'm unsure about the pros and cons of buying cheaper or investing more. I intend to get an I7 13700K and plan to overclock slightly using BIOS. I've found 690-series boards that should work, and some budget options around £200, while newer models like the MSI Mag Z790 Tomahawk are about £320. Any suggestions for good value? Thanks for the advice!
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juanma18c
05-14-2022, 03:01 AM #1

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a motherboard recommendation. I'm unsure about the pros and cons of buying cheaper or investing more. I intend to get an I7 13700K and plan to overclock slightly using BIOS. I've found 690-series boards that should work, and some budget options around £200, while newer models like the MSI Mag Z790 Tomahawk are about £320. Any suggestions for good value? Thanks for the advice!

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DaddyLoco
Junior Member
17
05-15-2022, 02:46 PM
#2
why are you considering boosting performance if you're not clear on the distinctions between different motherboards? additionally, what specific tasks does your CPU need to handle that would make overclocking necessary and essential?
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DaddyLoco
05-15-2022, 02:46 PM #2

why are you considering boosting performance if you're not clear on the distinctions between different motherboards? additionally, what specific tasks does your CPU need to handle that would make overclocking necessary and essential?

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Gollum4545
Member
107
05-18-2022, 09:39 AM
#3
Typically, cheap VRM components can lead to power throttling and lower performance. Investing more in a motherboard usually brings extra features and improved memory support, though not always. Usually, you're after the most affordable board that meets your essential needs, has a stable VRM for full load, and avoids strange problems like quality control issues or glitches. Yes, aim for a board with decent VRM performance rather than the absolute top-end. You don’t need cutting-edge specs, but you should avoid low-quality boards. When buying, prices differ widely by location. A Z790 Aorus Elite might cost around $250 locally, while similar models near you could exceed $400, making it less competitive compared to the Z790 Tomahawk. Also, consider whether you'll use DDR4 or DDR5—DDR5 boards often benefit from Z790’s optimized memory design, but if you stick with DDR4, a Z690 with BIOS Flashback might be more cost-effective.
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Gollum4545
05-18-2022, 09:39 AM #3

Typically, cheap VRM components can lead to power throttling and lower performance. Investing more in a motherboard usually brings extra features and improved memory support, though not always. Usually, you're after the most affordable board that meets your essential needs, has a stable VRM for full load, and avoids strange problems like quality control issues or glitches. Yes, aim for a board with decent VRM performance rather than the absolute top-end. You don’t need cutting-edge specs, but you should avoid low-quality boards. When buying, prices differ widely by location. A Z790 Aorus Elite might cost around $250 locally, while similar models near you could exceed $400, making it less competitive compared to the Z790 Tomahawk. Also, consider whether you'll use DDR4 or DDR5—DDR5 boards often benefit from Z790’s optimized memory design, but if you stick with DDR4, a Z690 with BIOS Flashback might be more cost-effective.

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CfuntimeMC
Member
221
05-20-2022, 09:14 PM
#4
Choose a solid Z690 if you're looking to cut costs, since the newer Z790 models don’t provide much extra value at a higher price.
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CfuntimeMC
05-20-2022, 09:14 PM #4

Choose a solid Z690 if you're looking to cut costs, since the newer Z790 models don’t provide much extra value at a higher price.

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StephanKruger
Member
226
05-20-2022, 10:43 PM
#5
Thanks for the feedback. In the UK, I'll focus on finding the best deals while considering sales and discounts. I plan to keep my DDR4 setup since my current speed is already 3200MHz. The Z790 could be a good upgrade if prices drop in the future for DDR5. For other boards, Aorus Elite remains among the top choices, but there are alternatives you might want to explore.
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StephanKruger
05-20-2022, 10:43 PM #5

Thanks for the feedback. In the UK, I'll focus on finding the best deals while considering sales and discounts. I plan to keep my DDR4 setup since my current speed is already 3200MHz. The Z790 could be a good upgrade if prices drop in the future for DDR5. For other boards, Aorus Elite remains among the top choices, but there are alternatives you might want to explore.

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ByTimo
Junior Member
20
05-20-2022, 11:37 PM
#6
I currently have an I5 9600k that I slightly overclocked for improved performance. It's running smoothly at 4.8ghz with no problems so far. Depending on how the system handles heat and performance, I might decide to keep the new chip or stick with my existing one. I'm not very familiar with Mobo's, but I recently tried a mid-range processor that received good reviews without any issues. With an i7 it has more cores, which is why I'm considering it more closely.
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ByTimo
05-20-2022, 11:37 PM #6

I currently have an I5 9600k that I slightly overclocked for improved performance. It's running smoothly at 4.8ghz with no problems so far. Depending on how the system handles heat and performance, I might decide to keep the new chip or stick with my existing one. I'm not very familiar with Mobo's, but I recently tried a mid-range processor that received good reviews without any issues. With an i7 it has more cores, which is why I'm considering it more closely.

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EnderDocter76
Junior Member
33
05-21-2022, 12:42 AM
#7
Most boards favor either DDR5 or DDR4, not both, meaning a future upgrade might require swapping your motherboard. Here are some options I’d look at:

- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/Gvmm...690-a-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/q8XJ...ing-x-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/gsPQ...elite-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/X6mm...-wifi-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/LtjB...te-ax-ddr4

If you’re aiming for DDR5, the Z790 Aorus Elite or Gaming X AX stand out, but on DDR4 they all perform similarly with minor differences in features and VRM performance. The Z690 Tomahawk seems to be a solid choice, matching the Z790 Elite, while the Z690-A Pro could handle the 13700K with a bit more airflow. Choose the most affordable model that fits your style.
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EnderDocter76
05-21-2022, 12:42 AM #7

Most boards favor either DDR5 or DDR4, not both, meaning a future upgrade might require swapping your motherboard. Here are some options I’d look at:

- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/Gvmm...690-a-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/q8XJ...ing-x-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/gsPQ...elite-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/X6mm...-wifi-ddr4
- https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/LtjB...te-ax-ddr4

If you’re aiming for DDR5, the Z790 Aorus Elite or Gaming X AX stand out, but on DDR4 they all perform similarly with minor differences in features and VRM performance. The Z690 Tomahawk seems to be a solid choice, matching the Z790 Elite, while the Z690-A Pro could handle the 13700K with a bit more airflow. Choose the most affordable model that fits your style.