Motherboard for i7 5960x

[baastyan]

Hi guys!

I am about to build a new rig.
Workstation for 3D arch-visuals and animations.

What is important for me:
1. Overclocking CPU up to 4,2-4,3 GHz but of course still keeping the machine stable.
2. I will probably use the new PCI SSD and M.2 for OS
Intel 750 Series HHHL (CEM2.0) 400GB)
http://www.newegg.com/global/pl/Prod...-300-_-Product
or Samsung SM951 512GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-426-_-Product

Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7 5960X 3,0 GHz
Colling: noctua NH D15
SSD for OS: Samsung SM951 512GB or Intel 750 Series HHHL (CEM2.0) 400GB
HDD: WD RED 4TB
OS: Windows 7 (I know it is old but I have a small render farm and all machines have W7)
DDRAM: G.Skill Ripjaws4 DDR4 4x8GB 2666MHz


So the question is which motherboard should I choose? Any recomendation?

[baastyan]

is this the way to go?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813132506

[baastyan]

Don't tell me nobody has a rig with 5960x on board.

[3LP]

I don't

Stan

[JezUK]

I built a i7 5960x system a few months back and would recommend the X99-E WS from Asus. That's what I use and have no problems.

I've been building my own computers since 1999 and only the last two mobos have been Asus, before then, I was strictly a Supermicro customer (with a few Tyan builds in between).

Asus were my first venture into OC'ing and it's been fine.

Not sure I'd go with air though on that kind of OC. I reckon you'll get temps much higher than I do when rendering and all cores are flat out 100%.

Any questions, feel free to ask

[FSGFX]

http://www.mifcom.de/product/1971/gaming-pc-core-i7-5820k---gtx-980.html?config&cdeep={18}1559{11}2817{19}2825{12} 3264{4}2834{29}1295{51}1109{74}2864{5}247{8}41{7}8 02{9}43{13}2751{55}1304{56}1307{22}180{20}173{6}28 {21}177{50}1058{17}153{33}607{41}707{31}577{1}540{ 23}267{47}956{10}49{30}501{15}124{66}1764{62}1640{ 24}370

thats my config...

[Donald2B]

Almost all of my builds have been based around ASUS motherboards. I do use other manufacturers as well, but seem to have fewer "issues" with the ASUS boards.

Honestly though, as long as you have a reputable motherboard manufacturer you should be in pretty good shape. As long as the update the BIOS regularly to take care of any issues that may arise, you will be fine.

If you are planning ANY type of overclock, I would STRONGLY suggest getting some type of liquid cooling setup for the CPU. Corsair makes some nice and compact systems that are just as easy to install as traditional air cooled units. Air-cooled units are okay, but when you are rendering for days at 100% CPU usage, things can get hot and the air-cooled units cool only as well as the ambient air temperature around them. So you will be fine for short periods of time, it's only when you are running full out for a LONG period of time where liquid cooled systems are going to be a MUCH better match, especially if you plan to really push the OC pretty high.

Just my 10 cents.

[baastyan]

I built a i7 5960x system a few months back and would recommend the X99-E WS from Asus. That's what I use and have no problems.

I've been building my own computers since 1999 and only the last two mobos have been Asus, before then, I was strictly a Supermicro customer (with a few Tyan builds in between).

Asus were my first venture into OC'ing and it's been fine.

Not sure I'd go with air though on that kind of OC. I reckon you'll get temps much higher than I do when rendering and all cores are flat out 100%.

Any questions, feel free to ask

@JezUK
Actually I have few questions :
1. Why don't you OC up to 4.0-4,4 GHz? Is it just a matter of cooling?
2. What maximum temperatures do you get with OC at 3,875 Ghz?

[JezUK]

@JezUK
Actually I have few questions :
1. Why don't you OC up to 4.0-4,4 GHz? Is it just a matter of cooling?
2. What maximum temperatures do you get with OC at 3,875 Ghz?

Great questions.

I've got great cooling (see below).

I did used to have it at 4250 and that was fine, but about 2 weeks ago I had to upgrade my ram from 32 to 64 and that wasn't as easy as any previous ram upgrade had been (DDR4 ram in my experience with that mobo has some important bios settings needed, which few people seem to know about, including ASUS technical).

Anyway, when I upgraded to 64 I could only do so by returning the pc to unclocked and re-oc'ing it afterwards.

I then noticed that the temps were higher than normal and as I was in the middle of a project (not the best time to choose to be messing with ram upgrades etc), I decided to keep it to 3875 which gives me temps no higher than 65 degs under full load.

65 degs is my preferred maximum and I could have sworn it was 65 degs at 4250 so I'll see what's up and perhaps play with the voltages etc to get myself back up to that processor speed.

But honestly, I'm very happy at 3875. It's running perfectly and is only marginally slower than before when running test renders at 4250.

[auke]

Did you take off and reseat the waterblock of your cooler during this installation? I'd find it highly unlikely the CPU temperatures would rise by adding ram. Also what voltage is your CPU running at?

@Donald2B; Actually the difference between water and air cooling are negligible when running your CPU at full power for longer periods (When comparing aio watercooling to high-end air cooling products). A water cooled unit will heat up a bit slower due to the waters thermal mass and create a slightly more stable temperature level usually.

[JezUK]

Did you take off and reseat the waterblock of your cooler during this installation?

No. Not necessary just to add more ram.

[AndresAhumada]

Hi guys!

I am about to build a new rig.
Workstation for 3D arch-visuals and animations.

What is important for me:
1. Overclocking CPU up to 4,2-4,3 GHz but of course still keeping the machine stable.
2. I will probably use the new PCI SSD and M.2 for OS
Intel 750 Series HHHL (CEM2.0) 400GB)
http://www.newegg.com/global/pl/Prod...-300-_-Product
or Samsung SM951 512GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-426-_-Product

Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7 5960X 3,0 GHz
Colling: noctua NH D15
SSD for OS: Samsung SM951 512GB or Intel 750 Series HHHL (CEM2.0) 400GB
HDD: WD RED 4TB
OS: Windows 7 (I know it is old but I have a small render farm and all machines have W7)
DDRAM: G.Skill Ripjaws4 DDR4 4x8GB 2666MHz


So the question is which motherboard should I choose? Any recomendation?

If you want the best Use EVGA motherboards..


Cheers.

[auke]

No. Not necessary just to add more ram.

Can you check what voltage setting you are running at? Adaptive or a fixed setting, if fixed, how much?


@Baastyan; I usually go for Gigabyte or Asus motherboards, I find those very reliable and feature rich. Though other brands such as EVGA and MSI usually are very good as well. Best is to make a shortlist of boards which have the extra features you want and check some reviews.

[AndresAhumada]

EVGA have more layer on board... more stability.

[Donald2B]

EVGA have more layer on board... more stability.

I wish I had the same experience with EVGA as you! They have been pretty problematic as of late...my older EVGA boards seem to be good, but I no longer recommend them by name.