Picking a FM2 matx mobo
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:11 pm
For years I've tried non expensive ways to quiet my old system, but never with quite the result I was looking for.
Now I'm planning to build a new desktop system and I want to do it the right way: by selecting components based on quality and low noise production
So far I have selected the following components:
APU: A10-5700
Cooler: Scythe Big Shuriken 2 rev b
PSU: Seasonic G360
Case: Re-using an old Compaq pressario case (+ dvd drive)
RAM: 2x4 Gb (not decided on exact type and brand yet)
HDD: WD 1Tb green
SDD: If I decide to add one, it will be a 128 Gb Samsung 830
Mobo: ?
I'm looking for advice on the selection of the mobo.
Based on local availability, form factor (matx), hdmi and price, I'm left with these options:
ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M
Asus F2A85-M
Asus F2A85-M LE
Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H
MSI FM2-A75MA-E35
Either the A75 or A85 chip-set will be fine (I don't really need the extra features of the A85 chip set though).
The Asus F2A85-M LE and the MSI board only support 2 dimms, but with 2x4 Gb it might be unlikely that I'll ever want to add more.
The MSI one has extra USB ports at the back panel (8 instead of 6), which could be nice.
The Asus F2A85-M is the most expensive one of the bunch, but I don't realy see any relevant differences with the LE version (besides the number of supported dimms). Am I overlooking something?
I might want to undervolt a bit. I know it's possible with the Asrock and Asus mobo's. I'm not sure about the Gigabyte (I excluded the Gigabyte GA-F2A75M-D3H from the list, because I read that it can't be undervolted). I read that the MSI board supports undervolting, but only down to 1.35 V.
Will cool 'n Quiet still work if I undervolt? Does it even make sense to undervolt if cool 'n quiet is enabled?
Asus has good fan control, or so I've read. Asrock apparently can't lower fan speed below 46% or so. The Gigabyte seems to have quiet a lot of options, but how well does it all work? The MSI has something called "smart fan function", which the manual doesn't further explain.
So, I'm looking for good fan control, ability to undervolt and reliability and can't make up my mind.
Possibly I'm making to big a fuss about it and should just go with the cheapest one
Do you have any advice?
Now I'm planning to build a new desktop system and I want to do it the right way: by selecting components based on quality and low noise production
So far I have selected the following components:
APU: A10-5700
Cooler: Scythe Big Shuriken 2 rev b
PSU: Seasonic G360
Case: Re-using an old Compaq pressario case (+ dvd drive)
RAM: 2x4 Gb (not decided on exact type and brand yet)
HDD: WD 1Tb green
SDD: If I decide to add one, it will be a 128 Gb Samsung 830
Mobo: ?
I'm looking for advice on the selection of the mobo.
Based on local availability, form factor (matx), hdmi and price, I'm left with these options:
ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M
Asus F2A85-M
Asus F2A85-M LE
Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H
MSI FM2-A75MA-E35
Either the A75 or A85 chip-set will be fine (I don't really need the extra features of the A85 chip set though).
The Asus F2A85-M LE and the MSI board only support 2 dimms, but with 2x4 Gb it might be unlikely that I'll ever want to add more.
The MSI one has extra USB ports at the back panel (8 instead of 6), which could be nice.
The Asus F2A85-M is the most expensive one of the bunch, but I don't realy see any relevant differences with the LE version (besides the number of supported dimms). Am I overlooking something?
I might want to undervolt a bit. I know it's possible with the Asrock and Asus mobo's. I'm not sure about the Gigabyte (I excluded the Gigabyte GA-F2A75M-D3H from the list, because I read that it can't be undervolted). I read that the MSI board supports undervolting, but only down to 1.35 V.
Will cool 'n Quiet still work if I undervolt? Does it even make sense to undervolt if cool 'n quiet is enabled?
Asus has good fan control, or so I've read. Asrock apparently can't lower fan speed below 46% or so. The Gigabyte seems to have quiet a lot of options, but how well does it all work? The MSI has something called "smart fan function", which the manual doesn't further explain.
So, I'm looking for good fan control, ability to undervolt and reliability and can't make up my mind.
Possibly I'm making to big a fuss about it and should just go with the cheapest one
Do you have any advice?