Building a new PC and needs some help with MOBO selection

[izt_is]

Hey guys, It's been about 2 years since I built my last PC and I haven't had time to keep in touch with motherboards and CPUs since then due to my schedule ): I've only been able to keep in touch with graphics cards.

The last motherboard I got was a Gigabyte P55 UD4P with an i7 i believe an 860.

I'm looking now to make another high mid to high end build PC. I'm wondering what is the motherboard to go for now that is best bang for buck and power, by which i mean what chipset? (specific models are also welcome but I usually prefer gigabyte)

Also which CPU should I pair with this motherboard? I'm looking at a quad core for some future proofing and for games with multi threading capability. So it will probably have to be an i7.

Anyway, all help is appreciated. Thanks guys!!

P.S. if I'm not overclocking, the stock i7 heatsink that comes with the CPU should be fine yes? I usually get a custom cooler but am on a tight budget right now.

 

[Ken g6]

Generically, the best CPU/mobo bang for the buck for gaming are:

- Intel i5 2500K (not i7 - it's not worth it)
- Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
- Add an aftermarket heatsink, and overclock like crazy! (Much better value than getting a stock-speed i7)

Z68 boards (and P67) can overclock. H67 and H61 can't, and H61 usually doesn't have SATA3 for SSDs.

If you want a full critique, please answer [thread=80121]these questions[/thread].

 

[mfenn]

Also, if you are thinking about upgrading your 860 to a 2500, then stop thinking about that. It won't be enough of a performance improvement to justify dropping $350.

 

[izt_is]

Also, if you are thinking about upgrading your 860 to a 2500, then stop thinking about that. It won't be enough of a performance improvement to justify dropping $350.

Building a new build for a friend. Thanks!!

More opinions welcome!

 

[janas19]

Yeah I agree with what both Ken G6 and mfenn said. Asrock Z68 with the i5-2500k is money. On top of that, a Cooler Master 212 model is a really good cooler for the price of $30ish.

 

[izt_is]

I'm definitely getting the i5 2500K chip. I'm just a little unsure about the MOBO at the moment. Should I get a Z68 or stick with the P67?

I might be overclocking later in the future and will ONLY be using discrete graphics, with no concern for power consumption. Are there any features in the Z68 that I am missing if i got for the P67?

 

[janas19]

I'm definitely getting the i5 2500K chip. I'm just a little unsure about the MOBO at the moment. Should I get a Z68 or stick with the P67?

I might be overclocking later in the future and will ONLY be using discrete graphics, with no concern for power consumption. Are there any features in the Z68 that I am missing if i got for the P67?

Technically the Z68 offers IGP graphics and SSD caching, which P67 doesn't. However, the benefits of SSD caching are limited at best, and since you don't want IGP then P67 chipset is suitable.

If you have a Z68 and P67 board that are comparably priced, then you should pick the Z68. However, I've noticed that there are retailers who are now offering MIRs on their P67 stock. I was at Frys Electronics today and I saw a P67 board that had a $30 MIR. My point is if you can find a P67 for well below the Z68, then definitely pick it up. Otherwise it really doesn't matter, given your preferences it would only be a matter of style beyond that.

Hope it helps you.

 

[mfenn]

Technically the Z68 offers IGP graphics and SSD caching, which P67 doesn't. However, the benefits of SSD caching are limited at best, and since you don't want IGP then P67 chipset is suitable.

If you have a Z68 and P67 board that are comparably priced, then you should pick the Z68. However, I've noticed that there are retailers who are now offering MIRs on their P67 stock. I was at Frys Electronics today and I saw a P67 board that had a $30 MIR. My point is if you can find a P67 for well below the Z68, then definitely pick it up. Otherwise it really doesn't matter, given your preferences it would only be a matter of style beyond that.

Hope it helps you.

Agree 100%. When looking at normal, non-sale prices, Z68 is a no brainer because the cost is practically the same as P67. Don't pay a huge premium for it unless you need one of the Z68-specific features though.