need help from Fractal Design R3/4 users

[sherlock]

Well, I liked the ASUS V-LK as well, but Extreme 4 have 4 SATA III port(V-LK have 2), 8+4 Power Phases,1 e-Sata port & 7.1 HD Audio that V-LK don't have and is only marginally expensive on newegg(134.99 vs 129.99 after $20 rebate). Its only flaw is that it is .2" narrower than normal ATX board like V-LK so I read a few review mentioning it might lack be supported properly on the farside. Plus I bought it when a $15 giftcard was attached as promotion so it only costed me $119, $10 cheaper than the V-LK with more features seems to be a no brainer.

At any rate, I heard from two people on Tom's that build a total of 8 rigs with ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 yet never had any problem with those rigs, so it might be a very rare scenario caused by an oudated case I should have no problem with if I use caution during installation.

[Slaughter]

Does anyone use a ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 Mobo? I heard there are cases where that can't support it from the far side because Extreme is slightly narrower than a usual ATX board?

Hey sherlock,

After reading several pages worth of user feedback and looking at the measurements, it does appear as though the board is slightly narrower than standard ATX. I had a Gigabyte board that was the exact same thing and the only issue it really presented was that it allowed for some more flex on the end where the 24 pin power connector is.

As long as you support the board while plugging in the power connector, you won't have any issues.

ASRock has really stepped up their game and their newer boards are a big hit. Saying that, I would save a few bucks and go the route Backdraft pointed out with the Asus board. I have used that board in a few builds myself and have been quite pleased with it.

Hope this helps!

Plus I bought it when a $15 giftcard was attached as promotion so it only costed me $119, $10 cheaper than the V-LK with more features seems to be a no brainer.

Looks like we were posting at the same time ;) At that price, I would definitely go with the ASRock especially if you plan to utilize the 4x Sata III ports.

[sherlock]

Thanks for the tip, I was given the same tip at another forum. So I will just remember to put put a finger underneath the board to support it while installing the Ram Sticks & the 24 pin ATX. As long as it is not a long term problem I am fine with it.

[sherlock]

If you are thinking in those terms, what you really want is a Phanteks PH-TC14PE (probably in black to match your rig http://www.phanteksusa.com/index.php?p=products_3&id=25&cate=1). Cools better than the NH-D14, looks significantly better and is a few dollars less.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-17.html

I wouldn't say better, in the review above(Tom'shardware.com), NH-D14 scored a 45/16 in temperature over ambient for CPU/Mobo,PH-TC14PE 46/15 when tested with the same set up so those two are close to equal with maybe a slight advantage to D14, also on the next page of that review D14 comes in with a 28db noise level to 14PE's 31db. Granted I don't care for 3db difference in noise and 1 degree difference in peak cooling performance, but 14PE isn't really better than D14.Last: I don't care about looks of the CPU Cooler.

I probably still would get 14PE because the orange model on newegg is currently having a $20 discount sale til 8/28 and with that it cost $75.99 compared to NH-D14's 85.99 and D14SE2011's 89.99, seems to be a much better value.

Edit: Oops, wanted to edit my previous post but double posted instead, sorry about that.

[BackDraft]

It seems like you have done your research and are close to choosing. How soon will you be completing this build?

[Cella]

If you are thinking in those terms, what you really want is a Phanteks PH-TC14PE (probably in black to match your rig http://www.phanteksusa.com/index.php?p=products_3&id=25&cate=1). Cools better than the NH-D14, looks significantly better and is a few dollars less.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-17.html

I wouldn't say better, in the review above(Tom'shardware.com), NH-D14 scored a 45/16 in temperature over ambient for CPU/Mobo,PH-TC14PE 46/15 when tested with the same set up so those two are close to equal with maybe a slight advantage to D14, also on the next page of that review D14 comes in with a 28db noise level to 14PE's 31db. Granted I don't care for 3db difference in noise and 1 degree difference in peak cooling performance, but 14PE isn't really better than D14.Last: I don't care about looks of the CPU Cooler.

I probably still would get 14PE because the orange model on newegg is currently having a $20 discount sale til 8/28 and with that it cost $75.99 compared to NH-D14's 85.99 and D14SE2011's 89.99, seems to be a much better value.

Edit: Oops, wanted to edit my previous post but double posted instead, sorry about that.

The typical results at respected sites have shown the Phanteks with 2-3 degree better cooling than the NH-D14. I have a lot of respect for Tom's, but frankly I am going to trust my own benchmarks more simply because I was there to see it and know that the tests were done back to back in the same environment on the same build. The difference is small, but still there.

Totally agree with you that 28 - 31db is a nonfactor.

[sherlock]

It seems like you have done your research and are close to choosing. How soon will you be completing this build?

The base build is almost set, I will share it here, will purchase most of the parts in 2 weeks and put it together then:

Processor Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz $229.99
Memory G.Skill Ares F3-1600C9D-8GAO 8G $43.99
Graphics EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW $399.99 ?
Motherboard ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 $119.99 (Purchased)
Optical Drive LG Black SATA 24X DVD Burner $14.39 (Purchased)
Power supply Seasonic X650Gold $118.99 (Purchased)
Storage Samsung 830 256G $198.99
Enclosure Corsair 400R $99.99 ?
CPUFan COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO $34.99 ?
Monitor ASUS VG276H 27” 120Hz $599.99
Total: $1,861

Already bought the mobo/Optical/PSU when they were on sale at newegg.com(I live in U.S), 27" 120Hz is for playing BF3 which is my main goal for this machine, no HDD so that I have enough funds for the 27", will get it later as I don't need it now.

Current ??s
FTW at 399.99 is a good deal. MSI N670 PE @ 404.99 after $25 rebate is my next best choice. I haven't seen a review where they were compared sided by side so not sure which one is better. I knew the Zotac version have a really high stock clock but also heard it is not very stable/doesn't cool well. The ASUS DC2T is probably the best but they already sold out with no restocking in sight.

Corsair 400R is quite enough for me in the reviews I heard and have more airflow than Define R4, so I switched on that.

Considering Upgrading Hyper Evo to a top tier AirCooler, currently deciding between D14 and 14PE. One concern I have is the steel fan clip touching the back of my GPU and short circuit it. This concern don't favor the larger 14PE. I will try to look up a youtube showing 14 PE on a Extreme 4 board to see if this would be a concern.

I have about $100 left in the budget.

[Slaughter]

Sounds like a pretty sweet build! Try to keep a log if you can and post plenty of pictures! Would love to see how it all comes together!

[Cella]

It's really a nice build top to bottom. You can't point at any component and call it a "weak link", because you went with quality from start to finish. Some people rag on the ASRock boards in general, but at that price point I think they are probably the best boards around (yes, better than the ASUS, but that changes when you jump up in price).

As for the cooler touching the GPU, on the ASUS boards you have about 3/4 between the cooler and GPU using the Phanteks or Noctua. It would be the same on the ASRock given that the spacing is standardized.

Good luck with the build and keep us posted.

[sherlock]

Thanks, I will post the build log along with a lot of pictures/videos with my Galaxy S3 Phone Camera(1080p). Right now I am just watching the neweggTV "how to build a PC" video in a loop to make sure I remember it step by step.

Regarding the Fanclip shorting GPU issue, I saw it mentioned here: Scroll down to see the last photo. This is on a Asus P9X79 WS Mobo, detail of system is here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-16.html

Here is the 14PE Installation page, the photo/comment can be found near the bottom.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA ... 30-11.html