Question 1

I see that it only supports PCI express x16. What would be a good high performance graphics card for this?

Accepted Answer

Well... there are several factors to consider when buying a GPU.  "High performance" will be relative to how you intend to use your machine once it's built.  Nvidia and AMD/ATI both make very good video cards and their prices are as ranging as their performance.

If you're talking professional graphics (i.e. for AutoCAD, etc.) then there are other options available.

Personally, I'm a gamer and have been running EVGA GTX 780's in SLI with this board.  Works fantastic and can run all of the latest games with all of the "eye candy" turned on.  I'm also a big fan on Nvidia for their performance and stability of their drivers.

Question 2

What heatsink/fan are you running with the 4930's? I am hearing a lot of mixed reviews on what does and does not work.

Accepted Answer

I'm using Prolimatech Black Genesis with 15mm thick Prolimatech fans bought separetely (you also will need mounting wire brackets - the ones that come with the cooler do not fit 15mm)
Gelid GC-extreme paste (or you can use one included with the cooler - it's about same quality, but I did not know it would be included)

Cooled radiator are VERY tight fit with VGA card in the first PCI slot, so you can either insulate the contact with a piece of plastic, or (as I did) use Dremel to shave off two mils from radiator.

I finished assembling only last week, but so far my temps are OK.
Good luck

Question 3

Is this motherboard compatible with the i7-4820k LGA 2011? It's a gen 4 processor and I just want to make sure it's gen 4 compatible out the box.

Accepted Answer

Yes, the EVGA X79 DARK motherboard is compatible with the Intel Ivy Bridge-E Core i7-4820k LGA-2011 3.70 Ghz CPU.  However, be sure to flash the BIOS on the motherboard to update it to the latest version, and remember there are three BIOS chips on this board.  EVEGA designed this motherboard to be flashed from within the operating system, so be sure to go on-line and get the latest BIOS file from the EVGA website.  Also, be sure to download and use the EVGA BIOS Update Utility to Flash the BIOS.  You'll find a simple update utility at the EVGA site that will help you flash the BIOS while your PC is running.  It's a little different than the older BIOS update utilities which run at POST and don't work when the PC's operating system is running.  This update utility runs from within Widows, while you computer is running.

Your CPU should work fine with the EVGA Dark board right out of the box, however you'll need to flash the BIOS to update the motherboard to the latest BIOS to have a more stable and better running system.

Question 4

How much power would this motherboard take Because im calculating my power supply and im wondering how much power it takes up in watts?

Accepted Answer

I'm currently using a 1350W power supply but I'm also running 6 internal sata drives, 2 DVD drives, all my pci slots are filled plus 2 video cards so this amount is probably overkill for what you need. I would suggest keeping in mind future expansion and go with at least 850W if you were running one internal hard drive an optical drive and a video card only you could even go with 650W and be fine but to be safe do go less than 850W.

Question 5

Is this Motherboard support multiple monitors, if so how many?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the gfx cards you put in it with one card most up-to-date cards can support 3 so two cards could support six its all dependent of what you're doing. Tbo if you don't know this then you aren't in need of this platform. You'd be wasting money. Go with a z87 board and haswell  CPU a 770gtx or 280x would serve your purpose with triple monitors. But hey its your money do with it what you wish. Any modern motherboard and CPU can do multiple monitors. But that is of course with the correct gfx. You're looking at the 2011 socket which will cost beyond 3k easily when all parts considered. Hope I have helped you with this info.

Question 6

Will this board fit a cm storm Stryker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EVGA states this is an EATX however I have fit this in MID size towers with no issues. There is probably a little over half an inch on the right side of the mobo when you go to install over a standard ATX. You should have no issues in installing this mobo in the storm Stryker.

Question 7

Does anyone have this running a 4960x? If so did you have to flash a new bios first or did it come with the correct bios?

Accepted Answer

no the bios was fine, there is a switch with 3 different bios to choose from

Question 8

Does this motherboard support the Intel Xeon e3 2011?

Accepted Answer

I don't think so

Question 9

When will this be in stock again?

Accepted Answer

Give it a week, it took a while to get an RMA.

Questions & Answers