Is there any reason to get a mobo more than $100 for me?

[slicksilver]

I'm about to build a system with the following :

Intel Core i7-2600K
Crucial C300 128GB
8GB RAM DDR 3

What I will use it for :

• File transfers
• Browsing
• Music
• 1080p playing
• MS Office

Also what's the best intel chipset to get keeping the above in view?

Thanks

 

[ensign_lee]

Are there any P67 / Z68 boards for < $100 that are reliable?

 

[MrTransistorm]

The 2600K is overkill for your intended uses. Even a 2500K is too much, but surely you chose a K CPU because you intend to overclock. Right?

If so, how about getting a 2500K instead and using the extra money for a better motherboard and/or other components (i.e. power supply)? You didn't list your PSU, but you should never underestimated the need for quality (NOT quantity) power.

 

[slicksilver]

The 2600K is overkill for your intended uses. Even a 2500K is too much, but surely you chose a K CPU because you intend to overclock. Right?

If so, how about getting a 2500K instead and using the extra money for a better motherboard and/or other components (i.e. power supply)? You didn't list your PSU, but you should never underestimated the need for quality (NOT quantity) power.

No I dont plan to OC. I'm thought of the 2600K only because it has the best price perf ratio.

How important is PSU in my case? I would think a basic one would do since I dont have any video requirements.

 

[Absolution75]

Get a decently cheap mobo ($70-$120, your pick, just stay away from ECS). A low wattage PSU (400watts or so) will be okay, but make sure the brand is decent (corsair, antec, etc etc)

 

[dma0991]

The Core i5 2500K has way better price/performance ratio than the Core i7 2600K. For the needs that you have stated, even the Core i5 2500 is adequate. With the Core i5 2500 you could pair it up with a H67 board which should be in the $100 price range.

 

[MrTransistorm]

No I dont plan to OC. I'm thought of the 2600K only because it has the best price perf ratio.

Actually the 2500K has a better price/perf ratio. At stock clocks the 2600K is about 25% faster than the 2500K, but only in well-threaded applications such as video encoding. The problem is that it costs about 43% more, so it's a waste of money if you aren't planning to use it in multi-threaded applications.

And if you don't plan to overclock, even the 2500K is more than you need. You could go with an i5 2400 instead. None of the uses you listed are particularly CPU intensive.

How important is PSU in my case? I would think a basic one would do since I dont have any video requirements.

Notice I said quality, not quantity. Many people come here asking for help when their computers are having boot problems and/or random freezing. The culprit often turns out to be a cheap, unreliable PSU. If you stick with brands like Seasonic, Corsair, and Antec, then you'll be far less likely to have problems. The reason why I brought this up is because it is one of the things you could use the extra money for by going with a cheaper CPU.

Concerning the chipset: Since you don't plan to overclock, and the SSD you chose is big enough to use as a system drive (no need for SSD caching), then you're probably better off with H67 instead of P67/Z68. Beyond that, it's down to choosing a reliable brand (i.e. Asus, Gigabyte, Intel, ASrock) and narrowing it down based on the features/layout you want.

 

[slicksilver]

Actually the 2500K has a better price/perf ratio. At stock clocks the 2600K is about 25% faster than the 2500K, but only in well-threaded applications such as video encoding. The problem is that it costs about 43% more, so it's a waste of money if you aren't planning to use it in multi-threaded applications.

And if you don't plan to overclock, even the 2500K is more than you need. You could go with an i5 2400 instead. None of the uses you listed are particularly CPU intensive.

Notice I said quality, not quantity. Many people come here asking for help when their computers are having boot problems and/or random freezing. The culprit often turns out to be a cheap, unreliable PSU. If you stick with brands like Seasonic, Corsair, and Antec, then you'll be far less likely to have problems. The reason why I brought this up is because it is one of the things you could use the extra money for by going with a cheaper CPU.

Concerning the chipset: Since you don't plan to overclock, and the SSD you chose is big enough to use as a system drive (no need for SSD caching), then you're probably better off with H67 instead of P67/Z68. Beyond that, it's down to choosing a reliable brand (i.e. Asus, Gigabyte, Intel, ASrock) and narrowing it down based on the features/layout you want.

Thank you transistorm. Will be getting a 2500K instead. Also PSU will be cooler master.

 

[ensign_lee]

If you're not going to overclock, and are concerned about price/performance ratio, you're probably best off with an i3-2100.

There's nothing that I see in your list of uses that would require more than 2 cores. Microcenter has it for $100 and even is running a combo where you can get an H61 mobo for like $15 at the same time, making it $115 for the bundle.

 

[Spikesoldier]

If you're not going to overclock, and are concerned about price/performance ratio, you're probably best off with an i3-2100.

There's nothing that I see in your list of uses that would require more than 2 cores. Microcenter has it for $100 and even is running a combo where you can get an H61 mobo for like $15 at the same time, making it $115 for the bundle.

seconding the i3 recommendation to save money

 

[slicksilver]

The i3 handles 1080p rips well?

 

[MrTransistorm]

The i3 handles 1080p rips well?

The burden of decoding video during playback is generally handed off to the GPU (unless you are converting to 10-bit h.264).

My 3+ year-old laptop (2.5GHz C2D w/8600mGT) handles 1080p playback just fine. Most video decoding is handled by the GPU (CUDA acceleration), and the CPU sits mostly idle. Only when playing 10-bit video does the CPU handle decoding. CPU usage at this point is pretty high, but it has yet to drop any frames.

If this old C2D laptop can handle 1080p, an i3 most definitely can.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

The i3 handles 1080p rips well?

Yes. As a matter of fact, even the cheaper Pentium G620 does. Going from the cheapest to the most expensive will bring you no difference in terms of 1080p video playback.

What I'd recommend is you get a Core i3 2100 + an H67 motherboard for your intended uses. The Core i3 will be able to fill its role for at least 3 years. IF you want something for 5+ years, get a Core i5 2400 + an H67 motherboard instead.

 

[Smartazz]

I agree with the i3 2100+H67 motherboard recommendations. Just be sure to pick up a power supply from a reputable brand.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Not to be the black sheep but, if price/performance is a concern for the OP, I would suggest AMD.

 

[ensign_lee]

Not to be the black sheep but, if price/performance is a concern for the OP, I would suggest AMD.

Really? What AMD processor + mobo combo is >= the i3-2100 and an H61 mobo at the $115 price point? Even a Phenom II X2 (a FAR inferior processor) will cost that much with a mobo and CPU. Everything better than the Phenom II X2 in the AMD lineup costs more than $115 for a mobo and a CPU together.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Not to be the black sheep but, if price/performance is a concern for the OP, I would suggest AMD.

Funny because 2500K destroys anything AMD has now by price/performance.