ASUS Motherboard - New Build - Advice?

Hi,

I finally have enough for a new build. I've been waiting to do this for a couple of years.

My first choice for a motherboard is the ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-H.

However, I saw this advertised on sale: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A. It advertises using a Celeron CPU?

What would the difference be here using a Celeron compared to an i5 or i7? The processing power has to be comparable? 

I take it that this CPU Intel Core i7-13700K is compatible with the first choice for motherboard. It is advertised as a bundle with it. Just want to make sure. 

Would it also be compatible with the second option for motherboard? This should be a good choice for a CPU?

Also, is the second option for motherboard a good by? Is it a better motherboard than the first choice? It is on sale for $50 off.

This RAM should work too.

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

John

PS I'll be using the HTPC case I am using now, plus I will be using the onboard graphics with the new motherboard for now too.

Edited by Johnz414, 31 May 2024 - 11:58 AM.

"However, I saw this advertised on sale: ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A. It advertises using a Celeron CPU?
What would the difference be here using a Celeron compared to an i5 or i7? The processing power has to be comparable?"

No, it is meant it supports Celeron CPU and higher (up to i9).

"Also, is the second option for motherboard a good by? Is it a better motherboard than the first choice? It is on sale for $50 off."

 Both seem kind of pricey for  Z790 board, compared to Canadian pricing IF you consider there are cheaper but reliable Z790 boards on the market.

You pay extra for a white or chrome/silver board, whereas a plain board is cheaper.

"I'll be using the HTPC case I am using now..."

Exactly why pay for all this extra if you really don't see it a anyways hidden in a HTPC - get a cheaper board if wanted, avoid the white/silver coloring.

"This RAM should work too."

Only real method to determine if the RAM is suitable is IF you browse the motherboard's web site and examine the QVL list for the Memory Supported listing. If it there, then fine the RAM is OK. If it is not found on the list, then it is not workable

"I take it that this CPU Intel Core i7-13700K is compatible with the first choice for motherboard. It is advertised as a bundle with it. Just want to make sure.

Would it also be compatible with the second option for motherboard? This should be a good choice for a CPU?"

Do you really need an i7 or have been lead to believe you need an i7 or understand why you need an i7?

What is the real purpose or usage for this desktop?

If just for general usage and home theater, why not an i5?

Also on the money saved on a cheaper CPU (i5 instead of i7) and a cheaper board, you could buy a good and cheap case that has good airflow and comes with fans.

And a good PSU or a NVMe drive.

Edited by 0lds0d, 31 May 2024 - 02:01 PM.

Also, why a Z790 board and not a B760?

Do you need to overclock the CPU or require the extra ports on this type of board? If not, then maybe a B760 will suffice? And that can be cheaper too.

Edited by 0lds0d, 31 May 2024 - 03:27 PM.

This RAM should work too.

 

Nope, the RAM is DDR4 while the MB is DDR5.

 

"This RAM should work too."

 

Only real method to determine if the RAM is suitable is IF you browse the motherboard's web site and examine the QVL list for the Memory Supported listing. If it there, then fine the RAM is OK. If it is not found on the list, then it is not workable

 

 

Sorry but not the case, once you have decided on a CPU and MB you check with either AMD or Intel to see what they say is the fastest RAM is that their CPU can handle, only then do you check the MBs QVL list

See my canned info below regarding this;

For the best and most stable performance you should where possible purchase a CPU and RAM that have been tested and approved by the motherboard manufacturer, this is referred to as the QVL ( qualified vendors list ) understand though that there are too many products released for them all to be tested so other hardware will be compatible but not proven to be by the manufacturer of the motherboard.

 

Something to keep in mind for the future, a CPU must be compatible with a MB whereas the RAM has to be compatible with both the CPU and the MB, this because a MB can be compatible with faster CPUs than the one in your list of parts and MB manufacturers often state RAM speeds that far exceed that which any compatible CPU can handle, this is misleading at the least or dishonest at worst.

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