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Forum Description: ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=172 Printed Date: 22 Nov 2024 at 3:53am Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: My ASRock Build - X99E-ITX Campaign - NEW PICSPosted By: Illegalseagull
Subject: My ASRock Build - X99E-ITX Campaign - NEW PICS
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 6:02am
Hey Guys!
I just wanted to share a few pics of my recent desktop build, and what I learned about overclocking the i5-4690K on an ASRock mobo.
This is my second computer build, and my first with an ASRock motherboard.
My first build was an Intel E8500 on an atx-size Gigabyte board which I overclocked for daily use. Getting to 4.21ghz was easy, but getting an extra few mhz beyond that meant faster ram($$), more voltage, and a lot of tuning. I lapped the processor to a mirror shine, tweaked and adjusted a lot of settings...Overall, it was a good computer, but after 5 years of hard use, it was showing its age...it was time to build again
My old computer was a large ATX build, and I really wanted the new build to be smaller, and more powerful. The rig below is built around an http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97M%20OC%20Formula/" rel="nofollow - ASRock Z97M OC Formula micro atx motherboard .
I wanted to be sure that I got the highest overclock I could, so cutting corners on a cheap board was not an option...at the same time, I also don't see much point in shelling out over $200 for some "high end" board where you're basically just paying an extra $100 for the name. After a LOT of research and comparison shopping, I decided on ASRock's OC Formula.
With the 1150 socket processors, I've heard people suggest that OC'ing actually easier and more enjoyable than it's been in the past, because the basic OC adjustment settings are very simple, and getting a nice overclock can be very straightforward. This is true. My friends and I were amazed how the OC Formula made a ridiculously-high clock speed so easy...in the UEFI Bios that you access from Windows, there is are a bunch of overclocking settings, including one labelled "Overclock to 4.5ghz". We just lauged and said, "Sure, why not try it?" To our surprise, it worked--and ran great!! Even the temps were reasonable. Booting and using Windows was flawless. No crashes, nothing. I played War Thunder online for hours, etc. I meant to "dial it in" and play with it more, but I didn't get around to it until a week and half later...it was more fun just using it. I have since gone back, of course, and manually set some voltages and other settings, but I'm still amazed how easy it was to blow past my old computer's hard-earned overclock. My i5 runs at 4.5ghz all day long...Well done, ASRock!!
In further tuning, I am able to play games at 4.7ghz, and I can scoot around Windows at 4.8ghz, but it really seems like the stability sweet spot for my chip is going to be 4.5ghz. Core voltage is a very reasonable 1.23v, and with my 2x120mm Corsair all-in-one water cooling, I average about high 50's/low 60's peak temps from AIDA64 stress testing. This thing rocks.
My wife and I play multiplayers online, and needless to say, she wants a desktop gaming rig now, too!
Can you build a smaller, more powerful rig than this? If so,
I want that...
Any questions, just let me know!
**post edited to add new screenshot at 5ghz. woohoo!!**
Replies: Posted By: Jon
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 6:16am
Nice, I like the KILLER and the gold heatsinks. How many RAMs do you have in there? Looks like a full load.
------------- ASRock X99E-ITX/ac | Intel i7-5820K | ASUS GTX 970 mini | Samsung 850 EVO 250GB | Crucial Ballistix (2x8GB) | Corsair CX600M | CoolerMaster Seidon 120V | CoolerMaster Elite 110 | Windows 10 64-bit
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 6:27am
Thanks!
At the moment, I'm running 4x2gb of OCZ ram that I looted from a friend's old i7-920 build, but I've had my eye on a larger 8gbx2 kit by Corsair.
You can't really see it from the pictures, but the case (Corsair Air 240) has a dividing wall behind the motherboard, where the power supply and hard drives are hidden, which helps to keep it looking clean. I'm running a 500GB ssd for games and program files, 128gb SSD for OS and random system utilities, and a 1TB Caviar Black for general storage.
Posted By: pussyp0pper
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 10:27am
You should get that 16GB ram kit -- you're going to "want that" RAM. In all seriousness though the only time I have used more than 8GB of RAM was doing a stupid Windows Update
WELL DONE M$FT
------------- I7 990X MOTHERLOVERS!
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 10:31am
funny...seems like it was just yesterday that 2gb was enough for a standard computer, and 4gb was considered good for gaming, LOL
Posted By: muffint0p96
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 11:17pm
Super jealous. Looks like a great machine! Any tips for a newbie?
------------- long time Laptop user Want to build a gaming beast Smart computer terms Smart computer terms
Posted By: daliana
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 5:07am
Killer setup!
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 7:33am
Thanks, Daliana!
I'm really happy with how well it turned out. I have to give a big nod to the motherboard and the case for making this build go so smoothly. My last computer had a more basic case, with no real cable management, and that made putting it all together cleanly more like a puzzle that you had to do, and do over until you got it right. This was almost too easy.
You can't really tell from the pictures, but the Corsair waterpump has lettering that lights up in LED's. I have mine adjusted lite up a gold-yellow color, to match the ASRock heat sinks.
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 7:51am
muffint0p96 wrote:
Super jealous. Looks like a great machine! Any tips for a newbie?
Muffin
Thanks!
I'm not sure what you like to do with your computer, but if you're like a lot of folks, you do a mix of basic internet and medium-duty gaming.
If that description fits you, consider some of the following items in your build:
1) www.pcpartspicker.com does a good job of showing you compatible computer parts and competitive pricing. They have a good website that you can use as a guide through the build process.
Parts compatibility is key. Most of this is going to become more obvious after some research, but at first it can seem confusing. Don't be afraid to post your build to message boards (like here, Tom's Hardware, pcpartspicker, etc.) to try to get other peoples' opinions. They will ALWAYS suggest you spend more money and get fancier stuff than you had in mind, but the main thing you're looking for is someone to catch a mistake or notice something wonky before you spend your money.
2) Even though the processor is the sexy, popular part of computer for most people, if you are a gamer, the graphics card is at least as important.
So consider a balance. If you don't know what overclocking is--and don't care to--grab a mid-level Intel i5, or an AMD FX-8350--a popular motherboard that has a lot of reviews on newegg.com, memory, power supply, and a graphics card in the $150-$250 range. This should suit you well on 1080p resolution displays for most games.
3) Overclocking is more for fun than necessity. If you are just getting into building, and you must wring every ounce of performance out of your rig, overclocking is a fun side-hobby you can do to get more oomph for your dollar....that said, you usually end up spending more on the components if it ends up being your focus...so mostly, I think, it is for fun. IF you want to overlock, grab a better cpu cooler (The Coolermaster Seidon is a good value in all-in-one watercooling), a motherboard that will support your tuning with durability and a wide feature set (so no old OEM or low-spec <$50 aftermarket mobos), and an Intel processor that ends in a "K", like the 4690K, 4790K...another option is AMD's "Black Edition" chips, like the FX8350, etc. These chips will have "unlocked multipliers" that will let you go a LOT further with your efforts.
4) Get help! Go on message boards, talk to people, look up "overclocking guides" if you're into overclocking. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many experts ( I'm no expert) are happy to help you succeed. Have fun!
Super jealous. Looks like a great machine! Any tips for a newbie?
Muffin
Thanks!
I'm not sure what you like to do with your computer, but if you're like a lot of folks, you do a mix of basic internet and medium-duty gaming.
If that description fits you, consider some of the following items in your build:
1) www.pcpartspicker.com does a good job of showing you compatible computer parts and competitive pricing. They have a good website that you can use as a guide through the build process.
Parts compatibility is key. Most of this is going to become more obvious after some research, but at first it can seem confusing. Don't be afraid to post your build to message boards (like here, Tom's Hardware, pcpartspicker, etc.) to try to get other peoples' opinions. They will ALWAYS suggest you spend more money and get fancier stuff than you had in mind, but the main thing you're looking for is someone to catch a mistake or notice something wonky before you spend your money.
2) Even though the processor is the sexy, popular part of computer for most people, if you are a gamer, the graphics card is at least as important.
So consider a balance. If you don't know what overclocking is--and don't care to--grab a mid-level Intel i5, or an AMD FX-8350--a popular motherboard that has a lot of reviews on newegg.com, memory, power supply, and a graphics card in the $150-$250 range. This should suit you well on 1080p resolution displays for most games.
3) Overclocking is more for fun than necessity. If you are just getting into building, and you must wring every ounce of performance out of your rig, overclocking is a fun side-hobby you can do to get more oomph for your dollar....that said, you usually end up spending more on the components if it ends up being your focus...so mostly, I think, it is for fun. IF you want to overlock, grab a better cpu cooler (The Coolermaster Seidon is a good value in all-in-one watercooling), a motherboard that will support your tuning with durability and a wide feature set (so no old OEM or low-spec <$50 aftermarket mobos), and an Intel processor that ends in a "K", like the 4690K, 4790K...another option is AMD's "Black Edition" chips, like the FX8350, etc. These chips will have "unlocked multipliers" that will let you go a LOT further with your efforts.
4) Get help! Go on message boards, talk to people, look up "overclocking guides" if you're into overclocking. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many experts ( I'm no expert) are happy to help you succeed. Have fun!
These are all good tips. I went a little overboard on the CPU and motherboard compared to the graphics card...that said, there really aren't many 'budget' CPUs or motherboards when you go with the X99 set, especially in the ITX form factor.
------------- ASRock X99E-ITX/ac | Intel i7-5820K | ASUS GTX 970 mini | Samsung 850 EVO 250GB | Crucial Ballistix (2x8GB) | Corsair CX600M | CoolerMaster Seidon 120V | CoolerMaster Elite 110 | Windows 10 64-bit
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:17am
Yeah, I didn't really follow my own advice, either...
My GTX660TI is a good card, but there are a lot of people that would have bought a newer/better card for a build like this. I got it from a friend, so the price was too good to pass up. Also, I play on a 1080P tv, so high-high resolution gaming isn't a requirement. If I were going to push to 1440P or 4k, I think I would have looked to 970...$$$
Posted By: zzWizards_Realmzz
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:27am
Very nice -- the case looks clean and I like the big radiator hoses. I have an air cooled computer :( Maybe some day I get one of these fancy ASRock boards and upgrade to an i5 like yourself.
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:33am
I saw a review where they said that Corsair did the larger sleeved hoses on their most recent refresh...the earlier models had smaller looking tubes...I like the look of it. Thanks!
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:50am
Here are some more pics from my build...
Look at how the ASRock motherboard box got thrashed in the mail! I was worried, but there was no harm done afterall...
I had been torn between this ASRock OC Formula board and the ASRock K1LLER Gaming board. I liked the blood red aluminum heatsinks on the Gaming board more, but in the end, I knew that a high and reliable overclock was more important to me, so I went with the OC Formula version, which I think might boast better PWM power modules, etc. Building this thing was a dream...I find myself recommending the ASRock boards along with the all-in-one water coolers to my friends...so much performance, easy install, and prices are good. The "overclock" boards that some other brands are selling are just silly $$$...this OC Formula kicks butt.
Posted By: zzWizards_Realmzz
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:56am
Very good to hear the motherboard worked out well. I too have had my share of computer components getting abused in the mail -- I don't know who is to blame, NewEgg or the shipping companies. Luckily I haven't had anything damaged before it even arrived.
Posted By: muffint0p96
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 9:56am
Illegalseagull wrote:
muffint0p96 wrote:
Super jealous. Looks like a great machine! Any tips for a newbie?
Muffin
Thanks!
I'm not sure what you like to do with your computer, but if you're like a lot of folks, you do a mix of basic internet and medium-duty gaming.
If that description fits you, consider some of the following items in your build:
1) www.pcpartspicker.com does a good job of showing you compatible computer parts and competitive pricing. They have a good website that you can use as a guide through the build process.
Parts compatibility is key. Most of this is going to become more obvious after some research, but at first it can seem confusing. Don't be afraid to post your build to message boards (like here, Tom's Hardware, pcpartspicker, etc.) to try to get other peoples' opinions. They will ALWAYS suggest you spend more money and get fancier stuff than you had in mind, but the main thing you're looking for is someone to catch a mistake or notice something wonky before you spend your money.
2) Even though the processor is the sexy, popular part of computer for most people, if you are a gamer, the graphics card is at least as important.
So consider a balance. If you don't know what overclocking is--and don't care to--grab a mid-level Intel i5, or an AMD FX-8350--a popular motherboard that has a lot of reviews on newegg.com, memory, power supply, and a graphics card in the $150-$250 range. This should suit you well on 1080p resolution displays for most games.
3) Overclocking is more for fun than necessity. If you are just getting into building, and you must wring every ounce of performance out of your rig, overclocking is a fun side-hobby you can do to get more oomph for your dollar....that said, you usually end up spending more on the components if it ends up being your focus...so mostly, I think, it is for fun. IF you want to overlock, grab a better cpu cooler (The Coolermaster Seidon is a good value in all-in-one watercooling), a motherboard that will support your tuning with durability and a wide feature set (so no old OEM or low-spec <$50 aftermarket mobos), and an Intel processor that ends in a "K", like the 4690K, 4790K...another option is AMD's "Black Edition" chips, like the FX8350, etc. These chips will have "unlocked multipliers" that will let you go a LOT further with your efforts.
4) Get help! Go on message boards, talk to people, look up "overclocking guides" if you're into overclocking. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many experts ( I'm no expert) are happy to help you succeed. Have fun!
Wow man, this is great! Thank you for all the information. I am definitely looking to game mostly and my husband is into this stuff too so I think we can come up with a pretty great build. I will make sure to post my creation here when done!
------------- long time Laptop user Want to build a gaming beast Smart computer terms Smart computer terms
Posted By: xxx420BlazeItxxx
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:25am
THIS IS MY BUILD!!!1! Or it will be. I love the Z97M. The best motherboard around IMHO. For the micro size at least...and the color is good to LOL!
I think Id want more RAM in my build. RAM makes the OC and the fastest ram is the only way to get to the top, where I want to be! LOL JK I like yours alot and I hope mine comes out as good. Its great how ur helping everybody with ur comments. I hope I can get this pro some day.
------------- Your never going to see what you can't become unless you stop and try to achieve it
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:31am
420blaze
Thanks! Yeah, I would like to have more ram, for sure...I have one friend that wants to sell me a kit of uber-fast stuff, but another friend that told me not to bother, because ram speed doesn't really matter he said? I still don't see how ram speed doesn't matter, but whatever
I know right now I have the 8gb, and it usually just sits around 30% being used...so I'm not sure if I really do need more here?
I spend a lot of time on boards and things looking at peoples' builds, and it seems like a lot of folks are running 16gb ram...
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:39am
xxx420BlazeItxxx wrote:
THIS IS MY BUILD!!!1! Or it will be. I love the Z97M. The best motherboard around IMHO. For the micro size at least...and the color is good to LOL!
I think Id want more RAM in my build. RAM makes the OC and the fastest ram is the only way to get to the top, where I want to be! LOL JK I like yours alot and I hope mine comes out as good. Its great how ur helping everybody with ur comments. I hope I can get this pro some day.
I know on my last build (775 socket) was tied to the speed of the fsb...so if oyu wanted to crank your processor speed way up, you had to have fast 1066, 1200mhz speed ram to keep up...and that was pricey...for me, my build ended up being limited by how fast I could drive my memory...maybe this is what you are thinking of?
If you've been away from building a computer for a while, the newer 1150 socket processors run unlinked from the ram...so you don't need to run crazy expensive overclocked ram just to crank your processor speed up to the limit. just a tip, to try to keep budget down.
Unless you want to buy crazy fast ram...HMMM
On my board, I started out by just running the ASRock Formula drive program, setting it to "Performance" and go to "Advanced" and "set to 4.5ghz Turbo". It was almost too easy....
Posted By: zzWizards_Realmzz
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:43am
The people around here say "MOAR RAM" LOL but I don't know what to do with it really. I don't know much about RAM speeds. But they also say the DDR4 is fast stuff so the cost has some benefit "in theory". YMMV!
Posted By: Illegalseagull
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 10:49am
zzWizards_Realmzz wrote:
The people around here say "MOAR RAM" LOL but I don't know what to do with it really. I don't know much about RAM speeds. But they also say the DDR4 is fast stuff so the cost has some benefit "in theory". YMMV!
Yes, DDR4 is coming, and yes, it's going to be faster, and faster is better...
That said, I'm running DDR3 here, and I don't really think it's a major disadvantage. There are a lot of tests that have been done where people are showing the difference is still pretty minimal at this point.
The DDR4 sticks that are available now are still pretty pricey, but in 5-6 months I think that will drop, sort of like how DDR3 did 5-6 years ago
Anyway, for most people, the 1150 socket processors are a good fit, and they run DDR3, so it's kind of up to what processor your running at this point in time, more than DDR3 vs DDR4 per se, I think
Sadly, there aren't any hex- or octo-core processors for the 1150 socket. If you want to go hard, try the i7-4790k. 4 cores + 4 HT = 8 threads...
If you want 6- or 8 cores from Intel, you need 2011 socket. If you go AMD, you can get 8-core AMD FX-8350 and a motherboard for less than the price of my i5, which is pretty popular, too. I think i5 has an edge in some gaming, so I went that route for my build
Posted By: Jon
Date Posted: 25 May 2015 at 12:40pm
Very good -- that's a fast Super Pi. I know my computer doesn't do it that fast for sure.
------------- ASRock X99E-ITX/ac | Intel i7-5820K | ASUS GTX 970 mini | Samsung 850 EVO 250GB | Crucial Ballistix (2x8GB) | Corsair CX600M | CoolerMaster Seidon 120V | CoolerMaster Elite 110 | Windows 10 64-bit
Posted By: Hamzee110
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2022 at 11:10pm
Hi, first of all, congrats on your incredible PC build. I also tried to overclock my Intel Core i5 4690k processor but failed. I just don't know-how. I have a corsair H80i cooler, so I think I'm good in that respect. Is there a guide out there? How far can I push it? Thanks for any help.