Z68 board for i5-2500k

[bondb2000]

I am looking for a z68 mobo for my i5-2500k. I want to use IGP but will eventually get a video card and probably run both internal and external (Virtu). 

I was considering these two boards, leaning towards the cheaper one:

GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 ($119)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

GA-Z68XP-UD3 ($145)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

I've read that these boards aren't great for overclocking, you have to use dynamic vcore. I do want to overclock but nothing extreme.

I am purchasing a OCZ Vertex 3 120GB. Is it worth it to use Intel SRT? Is it better to just install OS and frequently used programs on the SSD and store files on HDD, or to use the SRT Caching?

Is there any advantage to having 6 audio ports versus 3? How many do you need for a nice 7.1 setup. My current 5.1 setup only requires 3 analog ports.

The other components I will be running are listed:

CPU: i5-2500K
RAM: Gskill Ripjaws X Series 4x4GB DDR3 1600
SSD: OCZ Vertex 3
CPU Fan: Mugen 3 or similar
Case: Lian Li PC-K57W
PSU: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro M600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Bronze or similar
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB

Thanks for the advice.

 

[jaquith]

No SRT will not work with >64GB, and with a OCZ Vertex 3 120GB it would be a complete 100% total waste.

MOBO + OC >4.5GHz
1. $200 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730
2. $278 GA-Z68XP-UD5 {HDMI only} - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128513
Side-by-Side -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001315%20600093976%20600158412&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-128-513^13-128-513-TS%2C13-131-730^13-131-730-TS

RAM F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM is good in 4x4GB @ Rated/1600 ; F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL often only runs DDR3 1333 in 4x4GB.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

As Jaquith stated the largest size that can be used in the Intel SRT (Smart Response Technology) is 64GB. So you could partition the drive down to 64GB and the extra and run it that way to take advantage the Intel SRT. Or you could simply use the SSD that you have as a boot drive and get the best performance.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[jaquith]

SSD = (OS) Boot, Applications, Games {to a point} and you'll probably will have space for many of your Documents.

HDD = the bloat: Music, Photos {except during complex Photoshop manipulation keep on SSD until done}, Movies, etc.

To make it 'seamless' move the default's to the HDD -> http://hubpages.com/hub/Windows-7_-_Moving_My_Documents ; don't forget to make NEW Folders on the HDD ie don't make the new Default 'E' assume E is the HDD.

 

[Swolern]

I got the Asus z68 Pro with the i5 2500k and it's amazing. Highly recommended.

 

[bondb2000]

Best answer selected by bondb2000.

 

[Swolern]

No SRT will not work with >64GB, and with a OCZ Vertex 3 120GB it would be a complete 100% total waste.

MOBO + OC >4.5GHz
1. $200 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730
2. $278 GA-Z68XP-UD5 {HDMI only} - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128513
Side-by-Side -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001315%20600093976%20600158412&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280|13-128-513^13-128-513-TS%2C13-131-730^13-131-730-TS

RAM F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM is good in 4x4GB @ Rated/1600 ; F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL often only runs DDR3 1333 in 4x4GB.

Sorry for late response but your statement is incorrect. You can use a 120gb SSD for SRT, 64gb dedicated to SRT and 56gb for OS or any other application that you want fast load times(ex favorite game). That would be an advantage b/c in SRT you do not get full SSD read/write speeds.

 

[nocredrs]

Im gonna do a similar build, and probably will use this, Its ALL BLACK, and looks really good in an all black case. GL with the build bro.

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128494