Picking out a Motherboard (Skylake) Asus Z170 A or MSI Z170 Gaming M3 for an i5 6600k

paulrelampagos

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Jul 17, 2015
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First of all, I'd like to mention that this would only be my second build and I have never had any experience with overclocking. So I'm planning to build an i5 rig which is 6600k (starts at 3.5Ghz), and I just recently discovered that when you're gonna buy a K CPU (Unlocked), you SHOULD buy a 'Z' motherboard in order to maximize the processor's capabilities. Again I have not yet tried any overclocking before and I was just thinking, since I'm gonna make a new rig, why shouldn't I make one which can overclock (might as well try or learn OC in the near future right?)

I've come up with a few choices for the MOBO, either
ASUS Z170-A (The white one)
MSI Z170 Gaming M3 (Red and which is only crossfire capable)
MSI Z170 Krait
Gigabyte Z170 SLI
Gigabyte Z170 HD3P


Obviously what I'm eyeing on is the Z170 A from asus coz it has so many good reviews and it looks cool, but what I'm concerned about is the color too because I'm planning to get an MSI R9 380 4GB (which is red), I dunno if it'll be a good pair lol. Take note that I'm somewhat building a red themed rig (case is a Corsair SPEC 01 RED LED)

And about the things that I do: I game, I edit videos sometimes, and I want to try recording games (??)

To summarize, I need your help guys concerning:
- Is it okay for me to buy a K version of the i5 considering I haven't done any overclocking yet (? I may learn lol) Or should I get a 6400 or 6500 instead? Do those 2.7 or 3.3 Ghz matter?
- Which motherboard should I get, and I don't want to regret but I also don't want to overspend if ever. I have a tight budget, so every penny counts. (Shoud I settle with the gaming M3 instead? or buy a more expensive one) I want future proof!
- AND if ever you guys don't recommend me getting a K version, which motherboard would be good for me to buy? Its okay if its an H170, B150 version.


Also, are there like tweaks or tips whenever I set up the BIOS in the Z170? LIke overclocking thingies, maybe you guys got some tips or whut.
 
1.A) If you would like to option of future overclocking an unlocked multiplier "K" series is a great option. It's not hard to learn to overclock a CPU, especially when you are only messing around with a multiplier and maybe a little voltage. Many of us learned to overclock on BCLK which was a little more complex, but still fairly straightforward.
1.B) A locked processor will certainly be cheaper if you don't care to overclock. The 6600 appears to be one of the best values right now. However, if you buy a locked processor you may yet be able to overclock still. Motherboard vendors are starting to release new BIOS revisions (For Z170 boards) that allow BCLK overclocking again because Skylake decoupled the BCLK from several other controllers.
2) Those are all very nice motherboards. If color is important I would clearly get the MSI Gaming M3. Overall they aren't that different from each other.
3) There are many nice H170 boards to choose from. Here are three black and red ones: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-h170gamingm3 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fatal1tyh170performance http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah170gaming3 (I personally lean towards Gigabyte boards in the lower price brackets)
 

ael00

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Feb 12, 2013
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well if you have the dough I would go with the unlocked CPU, although thats just my opinion.

I haven't had experience with the MSI board, but what I can tell you for ceirtain is that the Z170A will look as ugly as hell in that case and that gpu. theres a blue stripe on the chipset bridge thingy which would really ruin the red thang you got going on. It also has brown circuitry, it does look pitch black though the case window. might not be the case if you also have leds going on.