New MB/CPU Recommendations?

[trclac]

My AsRock X58 Extreme6 MoBo is beginning to flake out. I currently have an Intel i7 950 CPU and 12GB of RAM. I'd like to rebuild the system with an Asus board, but I'd like front panel USB 3.0 connections, which weren't widely available when I built the rig around the AsRock board. I'd also like SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the MB, as I have an SSD which "supposedly" is built for this spec, which, again, weren't widely available when I bought the AsRock board. And, of course, the now-standard GB LAN port.

I'd like to return to an Asus MB, and I would prefer a MB toward the high end (but not very top of the line), along with an Intel CPU trending toward the high end. I just don't have the time to do the research this time to determine what MB/CPU combinations are out there. I have a 750 watt PSU, so it should be able to handle whatever I throw at it, and I have a single nVidia graphics card (GeForce GTX 260), along with an Asus Xonar soundcard.

With this limited info, any suggestions regarding an Asus MB model and Intel CPU would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Asus P8Z77-V $179
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131820

Intel i5 3570k $229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

Or if you want more features and don't mind spending a little more for a motherboard the Asus P8Z77-V Pro or Deluxe are good choices too.

 

[trclac]

Thanks. I've read there is not much difference in terms of speed, etc., between the i7 and i5. Your recommendation seems to play that out, as well. I haven't looked at the model you suggest, but I assume it is the "latest" in the i5 series (can't remember the code name of the latest series/family). It's hard to keep up with all the CPU series released by Intel, but I would like the latest series as of today.

Thanks!

 

[trclac]

In reviewing the suggested items, I think I'm going to buy the Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe and i5-3570. I don't think I need the 3570k, because I don't plan on over-clocking, unless the k version has some additional feature I'm missing.

Thanks!

 

[Zardnok]

If you don't plan on overclocking, I would not spend the extra money for the Deluxe board. It is wise to buy the 3570K now and have the option to OC later or at least have a much higher resale value. I would go for either the Pro version of the Asus board or the Sabertooth version if you want Thermal Armor.

 

[Masterbobo]

I would suggest the X79 route. The just love the 6 cores power.