Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe?

Hello! I am helping one of my friends with a build! He wants to do 3-way SLI with the new X79 chipset, and he can't decide which motherboard to use for his build. (he has decided everything else to use) He has found 2 motherboards, the GA-X79A-UD5 and the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe, and they both appeal to him. So, the question remains: Should he buy the Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe? His current specs are listed below as what he wants, and what he has.




HAS | WANTS

Motherboard: MSI Big Bang Xpower | Gigabyte GA-X79A-UD5 or the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe
Processor: Intel i7-950 | i7-3930k
Memory: Kingston HyperX 12gb 1600mhz | g.Skill Ripjaws Z 64gb 1600mhz
Case: Lian-Li PC-T60B | Same case
Power Supply: XFX Black Edition 1000w | NZXT HALE90 1000w
Hard Drive: 600gb WD Velociraptor | Corsair Force GT 60gb for boot, Corsair Force GT 480gb for data
GPU Setup: 3 ASUS ENGTX480 | 3 ASUS ENGTX580
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212+ | Liquid Cooling using the Exos 2 and the DD-M6
GPU Cooling Method: Air (Stock Cooler) | Liquid Cooling using the Exos 2.5 and the DD-GTX580

Buy the cheapest. Both are great motherboards.

The power calculator said I'd need 899 watts, and the PC-T60B from Lian-Li supports up to only standard ATX form factor, and the Rampage IV Extreme is eATX form factor. Besides, ASUS does make a reference GTX580 card. I have the link below.


http://usa.asus.com/Graphics_Cards [...] DI1536MD5/

There's no way you calculated it correctly, just the GTX 580's can draw 250W~350W+ each depending on their OC (750W~1050W) and OC'ing the SB-E to 4.8GHz @ 1.50v add another 250W over normal load, then you need to factor in: Pump(s), Fans, 90%~100% TDP, 90%~100% Load and at minimum 25%~30% Aging. You'll end-up 1300W or higher without me even running the calculator.

The ASUS ENGTX580/2DI/1536MD5 is EOL and no longer in production for quite some time. The current ASUS ENGTX580 DCII/2DIS/1536MD5 and ENGTX580/2DI/1536MD5 will vRAM bottleneck many games with multiple monitors.

Obviously, I know the R4E is EATX the Lian-Li PC-T60B is a $80 Test Bench not a case, and makes no sense running a 'blocked' system -- so I assumed a 'real' case is/was in the picture and the Lian-Li PC-T60B was a typo or something odd. Frankly, none of this makes much sense.

I'm sure you're a great guy and want to help your friend. I would strongly recommend someone full spec a system and probably build it for your friend; the typical cost is $1,000 to $1,500 for a building fee. I only do local builds, but I know a few that are okay with shipping.

That said, a $100 case, most of them, are no place for a full water blocked system and 3-WAY SLI/CF rig. First, there's no place for radiator(s), insufficient ventilation, lacking PCIe slots, etc -- to many things to list.

I'd take a look at both my thread and many of the other builds listed; see 'Jaquith's Ultimate Eye Candy Delight' -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] d#t2037668 ; this thread was started two months ago and the prices and availability have changed, but the general 'gist' remains.

Personally, a 3-WAY GTX 580 fully block system is going to run over $5,000. I had to skimp on a few components e.g. i7-3930K vs preferred i7-3960X, etc. Cases Corsair Obsidian Series 800D or Silverstone Temjin Series, etc.

The CM HAF X is fine, just horrible if you want/need hot-swap drives; IF you do then don't get it. There are only a few really good cases and then there's the rest.

I try to avoid recommending cases because its "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing with choices.

I've built four R4E + 4-WAY GTX 580's so far and all of them on the Corsair Obsidian Series 800D it too holds a 3x120 radiator, and you can also fit more. Again, folks have their own likes and dislikes.

My experience is mostly the Corsair 800D, Silverstone Temjin Series, Lian-Li, Cooler Master, custom cases, HTPC, etc, but I've never used AZZA. I personally am not a huge fan of plastic molded cases. Therefore, if interested Google 2~3 reviews and see what they say.