Z68 mobo for overclocking?

[Kastor Krieg]

I got an i5-2500K after my P67 mobo died. I had it OC'd to 4.6 Ghz on air (Fortis on top), I'd like to buy a new Z68 in ~$200-220 range to achieve at least the same.

I'm looking at the ASUS P8Z68-V mobos, but the Pro is too expensive, the normal one unavailable and the -V LX seems to lack the heatsinks (is that much of a problem with this chipset and OC?). If not these ASUS series, what else? MSI, Gigabyte? I won't get ASROCK, they do not have warranty service in Poland, they just send to manufacturer and that's a 2 month wait.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

You should look into the z77 series as well. They are sometimes cheaper

 

[Puppies04]

You should look into the z77 series as well. They are sometimes cheaper

This +1 doesn't seem to be much price difference between the Z68 boards and the Z77 and the Z77 with futreproof you incase you every get an IB chip.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I did a new build with the Intel® Desktop DZ77GA-70K and I really have enjoyed this board and it fits right where you are looking in a price. If you have to have a Z68 then take a look at the Asus P8Z77-V Pro.

 

[Agent-A01]

yes get a z77 board, like the one mentioned above.

 

[Kastor Krieg]

Yeah. I think I will go with the ASUS P8Z77-V Pro, especially due to its WiFi-Go multimedia streaming feature / in-built wifi card. Seems like a sweet deal.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yeah. I think I will go with the ASUS P8Z77-V Pro, especially due to its WiFi-Go multimedia streaming feature / in-built wifi card. Seems like a sweet deal.

I'll second that motion or give it a third . . .

Don't short-change yourself too much on these boards. There was some variation in features among the P8Z68 ASUS product line. Models cheaper than the P8Z68-V Pro -- as I remember -- had less in the way of phase-power-design. I think I was able to compare the -V Pro with the Maximus IV Extreme Z flagship model, and that aspect was either identical or close.

I haven't read reviews on the P8Z77 models in any depth or number -- probably scanned through a review of the -V Pro version. It was a good review for the board, but not a great review for providing ample information. But the information is out there.

 

[SnoopKatt]

I'll second that motion or give it a third . . .

Don't short-change yourself too much on these boards. There was some variation in features among the P8Z68 ASUS product line. Models cheaper than the P8Z68-V Pro -- as I remember -- had less in the way of phase-power-design. I think I was able to compare the -V Pro with the Maximus IV Extreme Z flagship model, and that aspect was either identical or close.

I haven't read reviews on the P8Z77 models in any depth or number -- probably scanned through a review of the -V Pro version. It was a good review for the board, but not a great review for providing ample information. But the information is out there.

Seconded. I have a P8Z68-V Pro/Gen3 and it's one real monster at overclocking. I have a 2600k, and if my room was cooler, I could easily run it at 4.4 GHz on air.