Motherboard advice needed

[Type R]

Hi all, this is my first post on the forum so I hope this is in the right area. I'm in the process of building a new gaming rig as my current desktop is 5 yrs old and my laptop is going to be struggling here sooner or later with all the new games coming out. I do plan to overclock this system slightly, but since I have never done it before it will be a learning process. This is going to be my build:

Cpu: i7- 3770K

Thermal paste: Nocuta NT-H1

Ram: Corsair Vengeance 16gb

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX850

GPU: EVGA GTX 670 FTW SIG 2 x2

Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Z

Cpu Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight 2 with push/pull

I've bought everything already except the motherboard and the graphics cards. This is where I need some help and advice. The original motherboard that I was going to buy was the Asus Sabertooth Z77. But my concern with this motherboard was that will the spacing on the ports, the only place that I could put my sound card was either behind the first graphics card or between the 2. If I put it between the 2 I would be worried about the heat damaging it and same with right behind the first card. Its for this reason that I was looking for another board with more spacing for the sound card and that one that I found was the Asus Maximus V Extreme. So I guess my question is if I bought the Sabertooth, would there be enough space for the sound card right behind the graphics card without the heat damaging it and possibly enough room for that small fan as well? Or would I be better off buying the Extreme for the extra room that it has? Any advice is welcome and much appreciated.

 

[alienware]

Look at the MSI Mpower.

 

[grassman]

Honestly a motherboard isn't as big of a factor as it once was. A $150 motherboard will give you the same performance as a $400 Maximus.

Just grab something with SLI and proper overclocking options.
Nowadays the best option is to buy what ever matches your color scheme.

 

[Feronix]

Look at the MSI Mpower.

I second this

 

[alienware]

Honestly a motherboard isn't as big of a factor as it once was. A $150 motherboard will give you the same performance as a $400 Maximus.

Just grab something with SLI and proper overclocking options.
Nowadays the best option is to buy what ever matches your color scheme.

Totally agree. After reading extensive reviews of my 'budget' board it can do anything the big boys can.

 

[Type R]

I know that a bigger name or more expensive motherboard doesn't mean its better. My concern was whether or not the sound card would be damaged by being so close to the back end of the graphics card since that is where it exhausts its heat from.

Edit: My color scheme is red and black

 

[alienware]

Edit: My color scheme is red and black

Check out the new MSI gamer series boards. the '65 should be more than adequate

 

[tinytomlogan]

Check out the new MSI gamer series boards. the '65 should be more than adequate

TBH the 45 has an epic spec unless you want massive overclocks.

 

[alienware]

TBH the 45 has an epic spec unless you want massive overclocks.

Actually when tested in a review I read it did everything the 65 did.

I've not looked into the differences tbh. Nice to see that the Gamer one comes with upgraded sound and a *gob spit* Killer NIC.

 

[Type R]

Ive looked at the MSI boards and the pcie x1 and pcie x16 slots are in the exact same configuration as the Sabertooth that I was originally looking at. My question still remains: would I damage my sound blaster z card if I put it in the pcie x1 slot directly behind the first card with the gpu exhausting hot air directly onto the sound card? Its the only slot that makes sense since I don't want to put it directly between the 2 gpus.

 

[Kyle]

Unless you are a serious audiophile, I don't even think a sound card is necessary with a good motherboard these days

 

[Mark3Max]

You could probably go with the Asus Maximus V Extreme and put your sound card in the bottom slot. But I don't know anything about this motherboard . Other members here could tell you if it's any good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131858
But it is a bit expensive.

 

[UkGouki]

my msi g45 has a pci x1 slot above my 1st pci x16 slot thats where i would put my soundcard...

also alot put it between the 2 gpu's it makes no difference to heat dissipation on most gpus as the stock fans are normally right on the end of the cards.. the soundcards are not that big and hardly generate any heat at all...

 

[Deejeta]

your sound card would be fine. with adequate airflow in your case it'll be just fine champ.
+1 for budget motherboards as well. good bang for buck at the moment for sure.