Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 vs GA-Z68x-UD3H-B3

[Suited_Up]

I'm in the middle of planning my first build. So I'm learning as I research, but could use some advice on this.

I have it narrowed down to these two Mobo's, but I am not sure which to go for, and if I need anything the other is missing.

I'll be going with i5 2500k and Sapphire HD6670 GPU.

My current monitor has a DVI-D connector. (As well as VGA and Composite)

I want to be able to utilize the LucidLogix Virtu. But I haven't used that or built a computer before, so I want to make sure either of these will be ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

vs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-128-512


It seems to me that the only real differences that matter for this situation is the video connectors on the back of the boards. I assumed I'll be plugging the monitor into the GPU, so I figured it doesn't really matter, but with the VIRTU, I want to make sure that's the case. I've seen things saying you could connect to either one.

Only $10 difference, so it's not a big deal, but if I can knock a little off each component, it adds up.

 

[jaquith]

It depends on what you're trying to do with your i5-2500K (OC), resolution you monitor (HD), and what if any game(s) you plan to play.

Neither of those MOBO's are good for 4.3~4.5GHz+ and higher OC, the GPU won't be playable on many current games especially on an HD monitor 1920 x 1080.

Yes it adds-up but to what if the end result cannot be obtained.

So questions:
Q1 - What's the purpose of this build?
Q2 - What games?
Q3 - What resolution?
Q4 - What target OC?
Q5 - What OS {Windows 7 32/64-bit}?
Q6 - What RAM?

 

[Suited_Up]

1. Nothing very specific. I need a new one, want to build one, and want to put together something as strong and futureproof as I can at the moment.

2. Very few, and even if I do play some, I don't need it to be maxed out or anything.

3. Current one is 1600x1200 but might want to go dual with an HD in the future.

4. Nothing major. I don't have a specific number in mind, but would like to OC somewhat.

5. Win 7 64bit

6. 8GB (4x2) Gskill Ripjaws 1600



But man, I swear, nobody is happy with any decision I decide on, lol. I had other Mobo's picked out and everyone said it's way too much for what I need. So I narrowed it down to these, partially because I'm probably getting a USB 3.0 case, so I wanted the internal connectors for that.

 

[jaquith]

IF you don't plan to play games then the GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 with NO HD 6670 and 8GB in (2x4GB). The Intel HD Graphics 3000 is perfectly fine for anything 2D. Plus I'd take the GPU savings and get an SSD for RST. Unless your Applications take advantage of Hyper-threading {i7-2xxx} the i5-2500K offers excellent performance/dollar.

The ASUS Pro lines and above and Gigabyte UD5/UD7 are meant for high OC 4.5GHz+ and various CF/SLI for gaming.

Here's a build I recommend for a friend earlier this week with a few options; prices vary day to day and so will my choices based upon 'value' of products.

Solid Performance:
Type Price Description Link
CPU 219 Intel Core i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
MOBO 200 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730
RAM 60 Mushkin Blackline 8GB DDR3 1600 Model 996988 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226184
SSD 200 OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706
HDD 60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
HDD 60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
PSU 100 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
CASE 88 CM RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
OS 140 Windows 7 Pro SP1 64-bit - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
ODD 22 ASUS 24X DVDR - Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total 1149
Options:
HSF 58 Thermaltake Frio http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150
HSF 126 CORSAIR H100 Liquid CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017
GPU 310 EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593
Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 GPU http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/tech-specs.html
CPU 315 Intel Core i7-2600K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Basic Desktop:
CPU 219 Intel Core i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
MOBO 200 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730
RAM 60 Mushkin Blackline 8GB DDR3 1600 Model 996988 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226184
HDD 60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
PSU 100 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
CASE 88 CM RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
OS 140 Windows 7 Pro SP1 64-bit - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
ODD 22 ASUS 24X DVDR - Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

889

 

[Suited_Up]

I went with the UD3H, and since it was only 10 bucks, the deciding factor was the color scheme. The UD3H was black/grey, the other was blue. But my case is black and red LED, so I went for the black and red theme. Plus it had the extra video connectors just incase.

Everything is built except I'm waiting on my SSD to get delivered, which is insanely frustrating, because I can't install my OS till it gets here. I'm never ordering anything that involves 'UPS (USPS) Mail Innovations' again!

First build ever though, went pretty well. I think I mounted the Hyper 212+ sideways though... although I've seen that some people do it both ways, but I have the fan pointed down at the GPU right now. That was one of the most frustrating parts of the build though, so I dunno if it's worth changing, considering some people do it that way anyway. I do have vents at the top of the case, if it blows upwards through the Heatsink and out the top, that should be ok probably. I'm only slightly worried about airflow mid-case, since the GPU and Heatsink are kinda clogging the middle of the case.

 

[Suited_Up]

Here's a pic actually... Sorry, semi blurry, you get the idea.

There's a front and back mounted case fan. PCU is mounted with the fan up since it has LED, and all accounts say it doesn't change much either way. Seems to me that the GPU blows air towards the CPU fan, which blows it up to the top. PSU sucks it down and out the back. Front blows front to back. Seem ok?

 

[chiefkikaho]

Nice build bro.... im getting the same mobo and wanted to get the same hyper 212+ . I had a question for you.... with that cpu cooler, will i be able to utilize all 4 dimm slots? I have already purchased my 16gb kit and I'm looking for a cpu cooler that will not interfere with dimm slot 1. And hopefully I don't have to install the ram before the heatsink n fan.... do you think i'll be fine with the cooler master?

 

[drisen]

I am also looking for a cooler that won't block the first ram slot. Any pointers?

 

[aqe040466]

I'm in the middle of planning my first build. So I'm learning as I research, but could use some advice on this.

I have it narrowed down to these two Mobo's, but I am not sure which to go for, and if I need anything the other is missing.

I'll be going with i5 2500k and Sapphire HD6670 GPU.

My current monitor has a DVI-D connector. (As well as VGA and Composite)

I want to be able to utilize the LucidLogix Virtu. But I haven't used that or built a computer before, so I want to make sure either of these will be ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

vs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-128-512


It seems to me that the only real differences that matter for this situation is the video connectors on the back of the boards. I assumed I'll be plugging the monitor into the GPU, so I figured it doesn't really matter, but with the VIRTU, I want to make sure that's the case. I've seen things saying you could connect to either one.

Only $10 difference, so it's not a big deal, but if I can knock a little off each component, it adds up.

The 1st MB is better, it supports Virtu Lucid and it has VGA output.

 

[dalauder]

Nice build bro.... im getting the same mobo and wanted to get the same hyper 212+ . I had a question for you.... with that cpu cooler, will i be able to utilize all 4 dimm slots? I have already purchased my 16gb kit and I'm looking for a cpu cooler that will not interfere with dimm slot 1. And hopefully I don't have to install the ram before the heatsink n fan.... do you think i'll be fine with the cooler master?

If you get RAM that doesn't sit up crazy high (I have G. Skill Ripjaws Z), you can just slide the Hyper 212+ fan up a little and it'll cool quite well while giving you space for memory.

Mods, I'm aware the thread is effectively dead, however, that thing with the fan is handy so I wanted to let people know.