First build..any thoughts?

[Heusen77]

Looking up that H57 board on newegg shows it to be a LGA1156 board (for the first gen Core-i processors). For SandyBridge processors (second gen Core-i2) you need LGA1155.

I mentioned four different chipsets for LGA1155 boards. In simplistic terms, the new Z68 chipset gives you access to most features, like QuickSync, integrated graphics & K-model overclocking, but is likely to be more expensive. P67 allows K-model overclocking, and is recommended if you rely on an add-in graphics card (like your 4850). H67 has the QuickSync & integrated graphics features already mentioned, but no overclocking; AFAIK H61 is a budget cut-down version of H67 (typically on smaller form-factors).

Lulu's suggestion of "Intel Core i5-2500K + GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3" is a good place to start because it covers most bases. If you need something cheaper, then there are plenty of options at lower price points (e.g. motherboards with fewer features).

the price of the board Lulu's suggested is fine i was just asking to see if i can understand the reasoning for choosing a particular board over another....

 

[LuluTheMonk]

the price of the board Lulu's suggested is fine i was just asking to see if i can understand the reasoning for choosing a particular board over another....

Chipsets:
H61/67: Integrated video, quick sync, no overclocking
P67: No integrated video, no quick sync, overclocking
Z68: Integrated video, quick sync, overclocking

Features:
Pick whatever is important to you:
# of dimm slots
SLI/xfire
USB Ports/USB 3
SATA ports
RAID
Firewire
etc.

I tried to select a board that would make sense for your stated budget that had a slight discount with the combo deal that would still fit all your basic needs and then some.

 

[Heusen77]

Chipsets:
H61/67: Integrated video, quick sync, no overclocking
P67: No integrated video, no quick sync, overclocking
Z68: Integrated video, quick sync, overclocking

Features:
Pick whatever is important to you:
# of dimm slots
SLI/xfire
USB Ports/USB 3
SATA ports
RAID
Firewire
etc.

I tried to select a board that would make sense for your stated budget that had a slight discount with the combo deal that would still fit all your basic needs and then some.

thanks for the consideration...it was very helpful if i might say....

 

[mfenn]

thanks...i actually putting together the list in my newegg basket....any good video cards to suggest as i will be changing the one i have very soon...

Given the games that you listed, something simple like the GTX 460 1GB would do well. $127 AR is a good price IMHO.

 

[Heusen77]

Given the games that you listed, something simple like the GTX 460 1GB would do well. $127 AR is a good price IMHO.

yea...card looks nice....i may just get one as i will have to upgrade in any case....