Hi All I'm looking to make a build using the Fractal Design Node 304 and was wondering what is a good motherboard to pair up with: i5 3570k (may or may not OC) Nvidia 660ti (not sure which brand but probably the ASUS one) Cooler - I'm thinking the Artic i30? open to suggestions really Ideally I would like inbuilt wifi on the motherboard, as well as USB 3 and the usual. I don't think I will be overclocking much if at all so most components will be at factory clocks I guess. Also, the Node 304 takes mini atx motherboards, are these the same as m-atx (micro atx?) Thanks a lot for your help in advance! Jhen
mini itx are smaller than mATX, and only have one expansion card slot [typically a x16 PCI-E], the components are typically quite cramped and not always in the most logical of places... My recommendation would be this one you can see from the pictures how small itx boards are...
ITX Motherboard support only. PCI-E most definitely needed on the motherboard you choose. Clearance for GPU is an issue. But ASUS do a DCU Mini which is perfect for ITX builds. I have the same case and am in the middle of a review xD
Node 304 + tower cooler + socket 1155 + PCI-E slot required = ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE or EVGA Z77 Stinger. Other alternatives are usable only if : 1) you accept that the cooler will blow the air towards the graphics card and not back of the case 2) cooler fits there. I know Gelid Tranquillo was fine for this cooling setup as an emergency solution.
I currentlly have this one in my node and was excellent to build with and so far no issues and performance akin to when I had a full sized system:- http://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi-...-raid-pcie-30-(x16)-d-sub-dvi-d-hdmi-mini-itx
No need. Get an AIO water cooler, much more room to work with and better cooling performance and quieter. And I know everyone is addicted to always going down the Z77 route but really, I can't see the need to spend out for the sake of it. My B75 does everything I need it to. I have 16GB of RAM, a GTX 670, a dual core CPU with hyperthreading and can play Crysis 3 on high with some AA no trouble with FPS in the 40-50s
Those boards work only with the all-in-one watercooling setups (like your Corsair H60), small coolers like NH-U9B or few rare coolers (Thermalright AXP-140 or AXP-100). The rest of air coolers either doesn't fit, or has to be rotated in a way that they blow the air towards the graphics card, which is not an ideal solution.
I started life with a low profile Arctic Cooling effort, much like an Intel stock cooler. It just didn't cut the mustard. AIO Water is the way to go with this case. I have mine set up in a push pull config with air being drawn from the outside and then exhausted via the 2 front stock 92mm fans that come with the case. As I sit her today in a fairly warm room, the CPU is idling @ 28c
Saying that I have an AXP-140 and my Q8300 idles at 24 degrees and exceeds no more then 46 degrees, and it's running at 1.3volts... also it's a way hotter chip then the i5 really. But I do agree, AIO is the way to go...
Hi all Thanks for all your replies and suggestions! Budget wise, is there much choice if my budget is around £80 for the motherboard with inbuilt wifi? Is there a clear favorite around this price? Stupid question but would an all in one cooler be easy to install? I'm guessing all I need to do is fix it to the case and switch it on more or less? On the off chance that it leaks would a warranty cover damages to other parts? As mentioned, I'm assuming Z77's are more for pure OC'ing etc? Would another type of motherboard be just as good/useful? J
Absolute piece of piss to fit mine in the Node, as easy if not easier than some air coolers. Warranty should cover it but highly unlikely a decent one will leak unless you start prodding it with screwdrivers for no good reason.
I have a B75 mobo with a non-overclockable CPU. No trouble so far and has not been found wanting in high end games coupled with a decent amount of RAM and quality graphics card.
Hi everyone Thanks again for all the info and replies....I've just had a browse at Scan and have seen the i5 4670k for only £12 more...hmmm.... Will be making another thread haha! Please can this be locked? Thanks Jhen
