Upgrading CPU/Mobo/Ram

[VirtualLarry]

MSI's SB mobos, supposedly are limited as far as OC features, because they do not implement "offset voltage". I would avoid them just for this reason alone.

 

[Sublime89]

What about this biostar board? It is a combo deal on newegg w/ the I5-2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138298


And I am not big on rebates as they are a pain and you normally don't get redeemed for 3-6 months.

EDIT: I think I will be getting a different set of RAM due to the 8GB suggestion. Found a really good deal here. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

 

[lehtv]

If you're going to pay $110 for a motherboard, you might as well get the Asrock Z68 Extreme3 for $5 more after rebate, it has a ton more features. Also can't find the combo.

That RAM is great.

@VirtualLarry

Exactly how much does the lack of 'offset voltage' limit overclocking? Does it mean you can't adjust voltages at all, or what? Would you still be able to OC a good chip to 4.5Ghz?

 

[janas19]

MSI's SB mobos, supposedly are limited as far as OC features, because they do not implement "offset voltage". I would avoid them just for this reason alone.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention VL. Btw, I did reply to your PM.

 

[Sublime89]

Think I am going to go with this one. I guess I better fork over the few extra dollars and get a good mobo I won't have to replace any time soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

 

[Meghan54]

Not a bad choice in motherboards, Sublime, bought one myself for my wife's upgrade. Picked it out because it wasn't too pricey and I trust most Asus mb products...I'm using a Maximus IV Gene-Z in my box and love it.

But I had problems with the one I bought....the top most PCIe x1 slot began flaking out randomly. Had her wireless card installed in it and the card would lose connection randomly. Thought it was the card at first, but a replacement card, known good working, had the same problems. Then it wouldn't hold an OC on reboot. So, back it went.

Thankfully, I'd gotten it at Microcenter on special, so returning was simple and quick. Ended up getting her this one and haven't had a problem since:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157252

 

[lehtv]

As noted before, if paying $110 for a mobo you might as well get the $115AR Asrock Extreme3. But Asus P8Z68-V LE should also be a good choice, more feature rich than Asrock Extreme3 apart from SLI/Crossfire.

 

[mfenn]

Think I am going to go with this one. I guess I better fork over the few extra dollars and get a good mobo I won't have to replace any time soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

What exactly makes you think that you will need to replace any of the less expensive motherboards sooner? Given your past upgrade habits, you are most likely going to need to replace the mobo the next time you upgrade your CPU anyway (not that there is anything wrong with that).