Build Advice Which matx mobo to choose for overclocking??

Hi guys,
I started a thread a few weeks ago about parts suggestions for an htpc. I’ve since decided not to stick with mini-itx, and gone for matx, mainly because the cpu placement on the Gigabyte H55N-USB3 is really bad. Finding a cooler to fit that has been a nightmare.

So my choices as far as mobo go are:
1. Gigabyte H55M-USB3
2. Gigabyte H55M-UD2H
Or anything you can recommend?

I’ll be using a G6950 or i3-530, depending on the budget.

It needs to be a good overclocker, and from what ive heard, the second option is, but I’ve also heard that people had problems with bad BIOS, bad memory compatibility, and generally bad batches.

Budget for mobo is anything under £82.

Thanks in advance
Neal

 

For overclocked micro-ATX builds, the Gigabyte boards are the ones of choice. The H55M-UDH2H you listed is going to be your best choice, if you need USB 3.0, then just buy the other board. Both are fantastic overclockers.

 

i'd probally go for the Gigabyte H55M-UD2H. and on another note processor wise go for the G6950, much more overclockable.

 

As has been said, the H55M-UD2H and theG6950 is an overclocking mix made on the thighs of pristine Angels.

 

It's a shame that there aren't any new DFI LanParty Jrs..

 

@Zinfandel and BiotecVirus
Yes i saw the Bit-tech review of the both the board and the cpu. 4.6Ghz isn't bad at all!!!

But what DECENT hsf is short enough to fit this board in a 140mm case? I've looked at the scythe ninja mini and a bunch of others, but only the ninja is short enough. Some others got bad reviews.

lol no H50 suggestions please.

 

Scythe Big Shuriken!

http://www.scythe-eu.com/forum/shuriken-series/1079-big-shuriken-dimensions.html

 

Asus Rampage III gene?

 

That is an x58 board, out of his budget, and won't fit his cpu.

 

forgive me, I didn't read all of his post.

 

I find reading posts before giving advice helps you not reccomend absolutely the worse product possible for what has been requested!

 

Thanks for the answers guys.

@docodine
You sir, are a god among men! Thanks, looks like the big shuriken will fit.

Hows the performance of it?

 

I have a couple of Scythe Mini Ninja's. One of them is running on my NAS with a slow 80mm fan attached and keeps it very cool. It is a Celeron E1500 though so it is never going to get hot.

I found that running the Mini Ninja on a S775 E6600 @ 3.2GHz would allow the CPU to get too hot in a bad airflow case. I replaced it with an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.

It is my opinion that the Mini Ninja has an upper limit of heat transference that will not be high enough for an overclocked G6950 or similar.

So it is +1 on the Big Shuriken then.

A couple of reviews I found:
http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/Review/163021,scythe-big-shuriken.aspx
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/842