EVGA Step-up, worth it??

[xxmeltingsunxx]

So a couple months ago i bought an eVGA P55v motherboard, as i was on a budget and wanted to upgrade to an 1156 socket. I read reviews and looked around for other cheap, but reliable, boards, and reviews said this one was a good choice, but they never mentioned there are NO overclocking features on this board, at least for the CPU, i can adjust the memory, but i can only set it to it's standard speed (1600Mhz) since it's defaulted to 1333Mhz.

Anyways, my real question is, would it be worth it to use eVGA's step up program? (as opposed to saving for an Asus or Gigabyte board)i have a couple of boards in mind, but i really can't decide.

First is the P55 Micro (121-LF-E652-KR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188053

Next is the P55 LE (123-LF-e653-KR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188054

Last is the P55 Sli (132-LF-E655-KR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188055

What i'm looking for is stable CPU overclocks (i wouldn't mind getting to ~4Ghz), good chipset cooling, and ease-of-access to gpu release clip, sata ports, etc. and since it's through the step up program, i obviously won't be buying from newegg, so the links are just for reference. The first 2 (Micro and LE) are $70 and some change, and the SLi is $90. Would it be worth the extra $20 to go with the SLi?? I may use SLi in the future, but right now I'm planning on buying a GTX470 around Christmas, so i only need 1 PCI-e slot.

also, my current system is as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i7- 860
MOBO: eVGA P55v
RAM: 4GB(2x2GB) Corsiar XMS @1600Mhz
GPU: XFX GeForce GTS 250
PSU: Rosewill Xtreme series 750W
Case: Antec 900

Please give me any thoughts, comments or other ideas, it would be much appreciated,
Thanks.

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

BUMP...


Anyone have any advice? are these boards good for overclocking the i7-860? any known problems with these 3 boards that i couldn't find?
anyone have any experience with any of these? i really do not want to buy another motherboard and have it not be stable or have very limited OC options.

Any help making this decision would be wonderful.

Thanks.

 

[jaquith]

First the EVGA P55 V is a $55 (fifty-five 5-5) dollar SLI MOBO - what more can you get from a MICRO-ATX + 2-WAY SLI!!!!

I have been {almost} exclusively building off EVGA and it's the best for 3/4-WAY SLI +OC MOBO mfg you can get.

Next, for the best choice with the mid-tower Antec 900:

No - No Micro ATX MOBOs P55 Micro (121-LF-E652-KR)

No - No SLI support P55 LE (123-LF-e653-KR)

Yes - EVGA EVGA P55 SLI 132-LF-E655-KR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188055&Tpk=132-LF-E655-KR