Gill01's Corner

Ryan Hayes82 said:The B85 chipset isn't compatible with your CPU.

Why not just pick up an ASUS Z77 Extreme 6 instead? 🤔

There is also an option from MSI.

the MSI Z77 A-G43

Does this motherboard also fail to support my processor? 🤔

MaxGaming said:So you are actually planning on going with the GTX 970 and putting an old processor into the motherboard they offered you?

It would be far more prudent to look at the full range of motherboards available for the 1155 socket. If you are committing to a GTX 970, there is really no need to splurge on an expensive Z77 board; a standard motherboard would suffice, especially since the i5 2320 doesn't allow for overclocking anyway.

By the way, your processor is compatible with the MSI Z77A-G43, so you could certainly opt for that.

Wait, so it isn't compatible with the MSI B95 - G43, but it works with the MSI Z77A-G43? 🤔

Furthermore, I require a motherboard that supports CrossFire and features a passive heatsink, yet they keep trying to offer me ones without any passive cooling at all.

Tomorrow, Best Buy will provide what they call a "Customer Response."

I cannot say anything definitive at this moment; according to the gentleman in the link, I am waiting to hear from Best Buy tomorrow regarding whether they can issue a refund. I am honestly unsure what the consumer protection laws dictate concerning whether they are legally obligated to return my money if they find themselves unable to repair the component, specifically the motherboard.

Should it turn out that funds are unavailable and they still insist on offering this Asus P8Z77 - VLX, I will be forced to pivot to "Plan B," which involves purchasing a completely new motherboard and processor for a different socket.

As I previously stated, my intention is to move toward the Asus Z97 - A paired with an Intel i5 4690k box.

I will reach out to you via private message regarding the processor; we can easily coordinate once I have resolved this current mess.

Brian Campbell36 said:Wait, so it doesn't support the MSI B95 - G43, but it does work with the MSI Z77A-G43? 🤔

And I really need a mobo that supports Crossfire and actually comes with a passive heatsink, instead of them trying to hand me one without it.

Tomorrow Best Buy service will give me an answer—or whatever they call it, "customer response."

I can't say anything definitive right now. Based on what the guy in the link said, I'm just waiting to hear from Best Buy tomorrow if they'll actually refund my money or not. Honestly, I'm not even sure if they're legally required to cough up the cash if they can't fix the component (the mobo).

If it turns out there's no refund and they still try to push this Asus P8Z77 - VLX on me, I'll have to go with Option B and just grab a new socket mobo and processor.

Like I mentioned before, I'm looking at the Asus Z97 and an Intel I5 4690 k box.

I'll shoot you a DM about the CPU; we can figure it out easily once I get this mess sorted.

The thing is, that B85 board uses the 1150 socket, which won't run your CPU, whereas the Z77 uses the 1155 socket, which it does support. If you're dead set on running dual cards with Crossfire, you're gonna need an Asrock z77 Extreme 4 or something even beefier.
Though, I don't really get why you're so obsessed with Crossfire. Your current CPU is still plenty powerful enough to handle basically any game, and you could pair it with almost any GPU.
If you buy a new motherboard and a new processor, you'll see a slight bump in gaming performance, but honestly? Just take the cheaper board they're offering you—it doesn't matter if it lacks the passive heatsink since you aren't planning on overclocking anyway. Grab a 250GB SSD, and instead of a new CPU, just put that money toward a gtx 970. You'll see a massive jump in actual gaming performance that way.

Honestly, I think the smartest move would be to just get rid of that 7770. Personally, I could probably offload any of them for $167 without much trouble. If you can find an R9 280 or an HD 7950 for around 1000, those would actually outperform a dual 7770 setup anyway, which might be a good way to sidestep all those annoying CrossFire headaches altogether.

The folks over at Best Buy are stating the following:

1.) you could potentially opt for an ASUS ROG Maximus (S.1155)

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/

While the service center is offering this as a replacement board, it leaves me in a bit of a bind because I wouldn't have the option to offset the cost by picking up an SSD or something similar. They claim they’re providing a 24-month warranty, which sounds generous enough on paper, doesn't it?

2.) alternatively, I could transition to the newer s.1150 socket, though that would necessitate spending significantly more $667 on a processor since the motherboard alone is costing me roughly $433.

3.) they refuse to issue a cash refund, insisting they need to consult with the service center first—even though I didn't actually purchase the motherboard from them, but rather directly from Best Buy. It seems everyone is suddenly playing dumb.

Frankly, this entire ordeal is enough to drive a person to distraction.🤦

Maybe try to haggle for a better price, but if they won't budge, then just go with this:

Intel Core i5-4690K BOX, LGA 1150, 3.50GHz, 6MB cache, Integrated Graphics, quad Core
BIOSTAR HiFi Z97, Intel Z97, DDR3, audio, SATA, Gigabit LAN, RAID, PCI-E 3.0, USB 3.0, VGA, DVI, HDMI, ATX, LGA 1150

Total: $1055

Or you could grab an i5-4460 instead and mess around with the TurboBoost multiplier, which I guess would be $167 cheaper.

Brian Campbell36 said:The guys at Best Buy are saying this:

1.) you can take an Intel Core i7-3770K Motherboard (S.1155)

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/

That’s what the repair shop is offering as a replacement board, but if I take it, I don't get to apply the price difference toward an SSD or whatever. (They keep saying they'll give me a 24-month warranty, which isn't even a big deal)

2.) switch to the newer s.1150 socket, but I'd have to shell out even more $667 just for the CPU since the motherboard alone is costing me about $433

3.) they won't give me any cash back. They claim they have to check with the repair shop first, but I didn't buy the motherboard from them—I bought it from Best Buy. Everyone's acting like they're "clueless."

This whole situation is driving me insane 🤦

Look, just be smart and save yourself the headache!

You mentioned you could pick out $500 whatever you want from Best Buy to make up the difference.

Do it like this:

Motherboard http://www.bestbuy.com/motherboard-example

Cooler http://www.bestbuy.com/cooler-example

240GB SSD http://www.bestbuy.com/ssd-example

Total:$504 Best Buy
Take those items as compensation for the board.

Next, sell both of those HD 7770s for $333 total, and put that extra cash toward $500 for http://www.newegg.com/graphics-card-example. Shipping is free, it'll show up at your door in a day, and you can just pay COD.
Then all your problems are solved, and you'll still have a beastly rig that'll crush games on max settings for a few more years. Not to mention, this single card is easily 3 or 4 times more powerful than your dual HD 7770 Crossfire setup.
Honestly, this is your best bet because upgrading your CPU right now isn't worth it—moving to another i5 won't even feel different. If you don't want to go this route, then there's nothing else I can do for you. Do what you want, we already told you the best way to handle this.

Sean Garcia3, you kidding me? Why on earth would anyone swap out a platform that isn't giving them any real edge over what they already own?

He’s sitting on an 1155 socket CPU, yet you're trying to push an 1150 platform on him... he'll have a new board, an SSD, and the rest of the rig😁 but then what happens to his processor?

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Sean Garcia3, are you actually serious right now? Why, and I mean why on earth, would you swap out a platform that offers basically zero advantage over what he’s already running?

He’s got an LGA 1155 processor, yet you're handing him a platform meant for LGA 1150... he'll have a motherboard, an SSD, and the rest of the rig 😁 but what happens to his CPU?

Actually, no—that's an H61 LGA 1155 motherboard. Sure, it's bottom-of-the-barrel, lacking both SATA3 and USB 3.0, but it works. Still, it wouldn't be my choice. Pairing a GTX 970 and an i5 with the absolute worst motherboard available? Nope. It'll run, sure, but it’s just completely unbalanced.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:Max, are you actually listening to yourself? Why on earth would he swap out a whole platform that barely offers any real advantage over what he’s already running right now?

He's sitting on an LGA 1155 CPU, and you're trying to push an LGA 1150 setup on him... sure, he can get the board, the SSD, and the rest of the rig 😁 but what the hell is he supposed to do with his processor?

I think you got your wires crossed a bit. I was actually the first one to tell him *not* to ditch his current platform. This board is socket 1155—you're probably thinking of Smartic, who was the one pitching him a completely new platform.

Adam Moore3 said:Actually, no, that’s just an H61 s1155 motherboard. Sure, it's pretty budget—no SATA3 or USB 3.0—but it gets the job done. Still, wouldn't be my move. Pairing a GTX 970 and an i5 on the absolute bottom-tier board possible? Nah. It’ll work fine, but the whole build is just totally unbalanced.

Look, my advice was to grab this board, the SSD, and the cooler right now since there isn't anything else in the link worth picking up. He should clear those out while they're still offering the trade-in deal, then sell those two HD 7770s for $333 and toss in $500 more for the GTX 970. He can always flip that motherboard later for maybe 150-$67 and pick up something like this from Best Buy; it wouldn't even be a huge hit to his wallet, maybe 250-$100 tops. Honestly, he should just take the deal before they change their minds. The motherboard is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.

Sean Garcia3 said:I think you got mixed up. I was actually the first one to tell him not to switch platforms. This board is LGA 1155. You’re probably thinking of Smartic—he was offering him a whole new platform.

My bad, meant to say Smartic. xD

Robert Rodriguez2 said:my bad, meant to say Smartic xD

All 5 👍

Brian Campbell36 said:The guys in the link say the following:

1.) you can take an ASUS P8Z77-VLX (LGA 1155)

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/

The repair shop is offering this as a replacement board, but if I go that route, I don't have the option to offset the value by picking up an SSD or something similar. (They claim they’re giving me a 24-month warranty, which sounds better than nothing)

WTF? This isn't right because:

1. That board isn't even equivalent to yours (it doesn't match the $567 you provided), and I don't get the warranty logic—what exactly are they "giving" you? ASUS provides a standard 3-year warranty by default; they aren't doing you any favors here. You'd just be getting a cheaper board with a year less coverage. You're losing out; you'd be better off choosing something else.

So, were they offering you some other kind of compensation? There aren't many high-end 1155 boards left anyway, so why not grab a beefy SSD (250-500GB), or maybe a 120GB SSD plus an HDD if you need the storage, or a cooler (or whatever else you need, monitor 23, or maybe even a printer, who knows) just to make sure you actually get your money's worth. Then, just buy the motherboard from a more reputable shop. It'll probably cost you a bit more upfront, but at least you'll get actual value out of that credit instead of being stuck with that specific board.

Sean Garcia3 said:I also suggested to him that he should just grab this motherboard, the SSD, and the cooler for now. Since there isn't anything else worth considering in the link at the moment, why wouldn't he take advantage of the trade-in compensation while they're still offering it? He could then sell those two HD 7770s to fund the rest of his build. $333 I have added it. $500 If you decide to pick up a GTX 970, you shouldn't worry too much about the motherboard; it’s quite easy enough to offload that later on for something in the neighborhood of $150.$67 And what if we were to consider this one, for instance? Is there any point in even browsing through this particular listing on the AMD website? One has to wonder if the technical specifications provided here truly offer enough substance to justify a serious inquiry, or if we are simply looking at a placeholder for data that remains frustratingly out of reach. Does the hardware listed actually meet the rigorous standards required for a modern workstation, or is it merely an aging relic being offered up for scrutiny without sufficient context? It seems almost redundant to present such information without a deeper dive into its practical application within a high-performance environment. Is anyone else finding these product descriptions to be somewhat lacking in the granular detail one would expect from a premier manufacturer? For AMD, an expenditure in that ballpark—roughly $250—would hardly be considered a significant burden, would it?$100 Honestly, I don't care about the excuses anymore. He needs to just grab this and deal with them before they have a chance to change their minds. Sure, his motherboard is giving him a bit of a headache, but that's a minor hurdle in the grand scheme of things. Why wait around?

I have consulted with my colleagues, and their consensus is quite clear: why bother wasting resources on upgrading the processor when the performance gains will be negligible? It would be far more prudent to invest that capital into an SSD, such as this one.

Is there any point in even discussing the merits of such a basic component when one considers the sheer ubiquity of low-capacity storage in today's market? I find myself looking at this 120GB SSD, a device that seems almost quaint in its simplicity, and I cannot help but wonder: does anyone truly believe that such a limited capacity serves any purpose in a modern computing environment beyond perhaps acting as a sacrificial drive for an OS installation? One must ask oneself, what is the actual utility of a 120GB drive when the average user’s library of applications and system files can easily swell past such a meager threshold? It sits there on the shelf, a relic of a time when every gigabyte was fought for, yet here we are, staring at a product that feels fundamentally insufficient for anything other than the most rudimentary tasks. Is it efficiency, or is it merely a way to cater to those who refuse to acknowledge the evolving demands of software? One can only speculate on the logic behind maintaining such inventory in an era defined by massive data requirements.

Is this hardware sufficient to run Windows (specifically the 64-bit version of Windows 7)?

As for the graphics card, I shall let that matter wait; I have no interest in gaming.

Timothy Kim60 said:What on earth is going on? This is completely unacceptable on their part because:

That motherboard simply isn't on the same level as yours; to suggest otherwise would be a mistake, as it holds absolutely no comparable value. $567 Which one did you actually end up selecting? And regarding this warranty business—I don't quite follow your logic. What exactly do you expect them to provide to you? By default, ASUS offers a three-year warranty, so they aren't really giving you anything extra; you’re essentially just settling for a cheaper motherboard that comes with a year less coverage. Is that really the trade-off you want to make? In my view, you're simply wasting your time there. You would be much better off choosing a different option entirely.

So, what exactly did they offer you as compensation? It seems quite clear that there isn't much intelligence left in those LGA 1155 motherboards to work with. Why on earth wouldn't you simply opt for a substantial SSD—say, something in the 250GB to 500GB range—or perhaps a 120GB SSD paired with an HDD if you actually require decent storage capacity? You could even push for a new cooler, or whatever else might be necessary to satisfy your requirements. Is there anything truly more essential to a modern workstation than a reliable 24" IPS monitor? When one considers the sheer necessity of color accuracy and wide viewing angles in today's digital landscape, can we really afford to settle for anything less? One must wonder if anyone actually understands the profound difference an IPS panel makes during a long session of creative work or even just standard multitasking.Perhaps you should consider picking up a printer or some other peripheral just to offset the cost. It might actually be worth the investment if it helps you break even on the total spend. As for the motherboard, honestly, just buy it from a reputable retailer. I realize this will end up costing you more upfront, but at least you'll be getting actual value out of your purchase rather than wasting money on that specific board from that link.

I possess a rather substantial collection of peripherals.

I find myself questioning whether there is any practical reason to upgrade beyond my current setup. I am currently utilizing a 23'' Dell U2312HM LED monitor, and frankly, I have reached a point where anything more powerful or larger feels entirely superfluous to my needs. Why seek out more when what I possess already fulfills every requirement?
Is the HP DeskJet 2545 multifunctional device—incorporating printer, scanner, and copier capabilities with a 4800dpi resolution, Ink Advantage technology, and both WiFi and USB connectivity—actually up to the task? One might reasonably assume such specifications are sufficient for standard requirements, but is that truly the case?

I am considering picking up that 120 GB SSD. For my operating system, I really don't require any more capacity than that just to handle the essential programs.

I have been reviewing the specifications for this 120GB SSD, and I find myself questioning whether such a limited capacity truly serves any modern purpose in a standard workstation setup. While the price point may appear enticing to the casual observer, one must consider the inevitable bottleneck created by such a meager storage ceiling. Is it not a fundamental mistake to invest in hardware that will necessitate an upgrade almost immediately upon installation? In an era where operating systems and basic applications demand increasingly large footprints, does a 120GB drive offer anything more than a temporary reprieve from the limitations of traditional mechanical drives? It seems a rather short-sighted endeavor to prioritize immediate savings over long-term utility.

In the end, I reached out to the service center, and we finally arrived at a definitive conclusion: it’s either a direct replacement with the exact same motherboard I currently have, or they provide a full cash payout. They aren't about to hand me some subpar socialized component and then have the audacity to brag about how much "better" it is than my previous one. What kind of deceptive maneuvering is that?

Brian Campbell36 said:Just hold off on the GPU, I don't play games anyway

Then what was the point of using those 7770s in the Call of Duty builds? 🤔

Honestly, these guys are total scumbags for trying to screw over the customer like this. 😠

analogtiger19 said:What purpose did those 7770s serve back in the day during Counter-Strike? 🤔

On another note, they really are scumbags for trying to screw over the customer like this. 😠

For the sake of argument, when playing League of Legends, Dota 2, or similar titles, I much prefer having a steady 150 FPS in Counter-Strike rather than being stuck at a measly 60 FPS on a single card.😁

Furthermore, this Silent Pro M1000 power supply is fully modular, and it even features technology that allows only one GPU to run while I'm just browsing in Windows; Counter-Strike is merely a gaming application, whereas more intensive software like CATIA or Inventor—professional 3D modeling programs—demands significantly more from the hardware.

Nowadays, nobody wants to spend a dime; it used to be that people would practically sell their souls to get their money's worth on a piece of hardware they had specifically set aside funds for. Death to capitalism.

From what I know, the company is legally obligated to give you a full refund if they can't provide an equivalent replacement for your part. At the very least, they should offer you store credit for other components equal to the value of your product. I was just looking over a warranty policy from AMD where I bought my rig, and it explicitly states they’re bound by law to issue a refund if a new or suitable replacement isn't provided within 45 days.

Sean Garcia3 said:From what I understand, the company is legally obligated to issue a full refund if they cannot provide an adequate replacement for your component; alternatively, they might offer credit toward other parts equivalent to the value of your product. I was just reviewing the warranty terms from AMD where I purchased my rig, and it explicitly states that they are bound by law to return the funds if a new or comparable replacement isn't provided within 45 days.

But have you actually seen what they are proposing as an "adequate" replacement? I called them yesterday, and they flatly stated that they cannot offer anything better than that ASUS ROG Maximus.

My primary concern is that I should hold the advantage here; they are required to provide either the exact same motherboard or the cash equivalent, given that the MSRP is roughly $333, whereas I actually paid $567 🤔
.
In my estimation, the most logical outcome would be a complete refund, which would allow me to purchase both a modern motherboard and a new 120 GB SSD.

Brian Campbell36 said:But you should see what they're trying to swap me with. I called them yesterday and they’re claiming they can't offer anything better than that ASUS ROG Maximus.

All I care about is the fact that I've got the upper hand here. They either have to give me an equal motherboard or my money back, since the board is worth roughly $333, and I already paid $567 🤔

Honestly, getting a refund would be the best move. I could just grab a brand new motherboard and a fresh 120 GB SSD with the cash.

Well, did you actually ask them if they'd just refund you since they don't have the board in stock?

If they do give you the money back, you can just order it from Chicago—it'll show up at your door in a day and you can just pay cash on delivery.

ASUS Z77 Extreme 4

240GB SSD

Total:$567 Futura it
It wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up a decent cooler with a 5-year warranty right now too so if you decide to upgrade to a beefier chip later, like an Intel Core i7-2600, you're already set for overclocking. Plus, you get free shipping on orders over $667!