Which motherboard given is better?

[napsterlone]

1. Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI


2. GigaByte GA-Z68A-D3-B3 Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 Dolby Home Theater Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI


3. MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Lucid Virtu + Intel Smart Response Technology, OC Genie II, Winki 3 & 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe & 2 PCIe X2

 

[henydiah]

Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI

 

[Othrys]

whats the best motherboard z68 or p67 wise... if i choose to crossfire or sli...

 

[henydiah]

In bencmark performance P8Z68 vs P867 win and losses, all support Xfire and Sli, and price P8P67 lower price than P8z68, what different .. Ussualy Z68 good for encoding (workstation NLE) + Gaming and P67 for game + OC

 

[akhimot]

According to intel.com z68 belongs to their mainstream series and p67 meant for performance series. If you are using high end graphics card then p67 whoul be better, n i would suggest you the MSI P67A-GD55 its a good board for that money.

 

[akhimot]

According to intel.com z68 belongs to their mainstream series and p67 meant for performance series. If you are using high end graphics card then p67 whoul be better, n i would suggest you the MSI P67A-GD55 its a good board for that money.

 

[beenthere]

Gigabyte would be my first choice for performance and reliability, then MSI and then Asus.

 

[jaquith]

IF you plan to OC then NONE of them. OC - ASUS Pro or above, Gigabyte UD5/UD7 with Virtu support GA-Z68XP-UD5. The problem, there's a good correlation to low Phase = high vCore; High vCore = High temps; High temps = CPU reduced lifespan.

If you don't plan to OC then it doesn't matter, pick a MOBO the looks good to you and has the options needed.

My favorite (2) Z68 for the $ and low vCore: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO or Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5.

Q - What's your target OC? {if any}
Q - What's the purpose/use of the build?
Q - What's your budget?

All Z68 offer RST, and allow for OC, but not all offer Virtu.

 

[napsterlone]

IF you plan to OC then NONE of them. OC - ASUS Pro or above, Gigabyte UD5/UD7 with Virtu support GA-Z68XP-UD5. The problem, there's a good correlation to low Phase = high vCore; High vCore = High temps; High temps = CPU reduced lifespan.

If you don't plan to OC then it doesn't matter, pick a MOBO the looks good to you and has the options needed.

My favorite (2) Z68 for the $ and low vCore: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO or Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5.

Q - What's your target OC? {if any}
Q - What's the purpose/use of the build?
Q - What's your budget?

All Z68 offer RST, and allow for OC, but not all offer Virtu.

I will not be overclocking. Since I will not be overclocking do I not need the i5 2500K and a watercooler? My budget is $1000. The computer will be used for gaming, but not serious gaming. Could you please tell me exactly what I should get and not get? I mean, like getting LC or Z68 or the i52500k. THANKS

 

[jaquith]

If you're not OC: 1. you don't need any 'K' CPU {I get the cost is negligible and the option is open}, 2. the packaged 'box' version includes a stock HSF so definitely a 'watercooler' is 100% waste.

Define:
1. What games?
2. Does the $1,000 include costs of the Case, OS, Keyboad, etc.


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
GPU 185 EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
RAM 55 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
PSU 100 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
ODD 22 ASUS 24X DVDR - Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

1041


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
HDD 60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB (RAID 1 2x1TB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

288


HSF 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

 

[napsterlone]

If you're not OC: 1. you don't need any 'K' CPU {I get the cost is negligible and the option is open}, 2. the packaged 'box' version includes a stock HSF so definitely a 'watercooler' is 100% waste.

Define:
1. What games?
2. Does the $1,000 include costs of the Case, OS, Keyboad, etc.


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
GPU 185 EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
RAM 55 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
PSU 100 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
ODD 22 ASUS 24X DVDR - Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

1041


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
HDD 60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB (RAID 1 2x1TB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

288


HSF 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

I will be playing Crysis 2, BF3, MW3, and SC2. Yes, the build does include the OS keyboard, case, etc. I'm getting the i5 2500k in case I want to OC later on. I also chose the Z68 because I don't need such a specific board for gaming. This is the build I came up with. Can you tell me if I should change something or if its good? Thanks again. Two questions, does my motherboard come with a built in wireless card so I can wirelessly connect to my internet or do I have to buy a separate card? (I put in the wireless card below) And do I need a flash media reader/recorder? What does it do? Thanks.


Case: Azza Orion

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500K 3.30

Cooling Fan: Asetek 510LC

Motherboard: [CrossFireX] Asus P8Z68-V LX

Memory: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz

Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB

Power Supply Upgrade: * 750 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-750TXV2

Hard Drive: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD

Optical Drive: Sony 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive

Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: PCI Wireless 802.11n 150Mbps Network Interface Card

Flash Media Reader/Writer: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium

 

[jaquith]

That's a CyberPower or IBuyPower build. You are much better off NOT using a PCI WiFi and instead look at Powerline unless you're 'borrowing' someone's WiFi; WiFi has way too much latency {ping times} and offers an unstable bandwidth.

Powerline -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sue1Zvmh8JA

With one of those companies unless it lists a Name the products are very cheap and generic. You can know what you're getting IF it either states the EXACT product or you contact them over email/chat/phone. Meaning what you see isn't what you get.

Case - the 'AZZA Orion' is cheap, no cable management...etc.
HSF - Asetek 510LC is an OEM version of a Corsair H50 ; it's fine
MOBO - ASUS P8Z68-V LX is a very basic Z68 and poor for OC > 3.8GHz~4.0GHz, but it works. It's not an SLI and x8/x4 is bad for CF.
RAM - don't 4x2GB, get 2x4GB DDR3 1600 MHz
HDD - 'SATA-III 6.0Gb/s' is the Interface and has zip to do with the HDD speed. Look for a cheaper ''SATA-II 3.0Gb/s' 1TB with 7200 RPM; same speed.

OS - I assume it's 64-bit to support >4GB of RAM

GPU - an HD 6850 is going to be dog slow playing Crysis. See -> http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8 the GTX 560 is slow enough -> http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/14

 

[napsterlone]

That's a CyberPower or IBuyPower build. You are much better off NOT using a PCI WiFi and instead look at Powerline unless you're 'borrowing' someone's WiFi; WiFi has way too much latency {ping times} and offers an unstable bandwidth.

Powerline -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sue1Zvmh8JA

With one of those companies unless it lists a Name the products are very cheap and generic. You can know what you're getting IF it either states the EXACT product or you contact them over email/chat/phone. Meaning what you see isn't what you get.

Case - the 'AZZA Orion' is cheap, no cable management...etc.
HSF - Asetek 510LC is an OEM version of a Corsair H50 ; it's fine
MOBO - ASUS P8Z68-V LX is a very basic Z68 and poor for OC > 3.8GHz~4.0GHz, but it works. It's not an SLI and x8/x4 is bad for CF.
RAM - don't 4x2GB, get 2x4GB DDR3 1600 MHz
HDD - 'SATA-III 6.0Gb/s' is the Interface and has zip to do with the HDD speed. Look for a cheaper ''SATA-II 3.0Gb/s' 1TB with 7200 RPM; same speed.

OS - I assume it's 64-bit to support >4GB of RAM

GPU - an HD 6850 is going to be dog slow playing Crysis. See -> http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8 the GTX 560 is slow enough -> http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/14

Ok. Do I need a flash media reader/recorder? What motherboard do you suggest? My two other options are the

1. GigaByte GA-Z68A-D3-B3 Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 Dolby Home Theater Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI

2. MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Lucid Virtu + Intel Smart Response Technology, OC Genie II, Winki 3 & 7.1 Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe & 2 PCIe X2.

The hard drive I have selected is- 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive). Is that good or should i go with this one- 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)

As for the video card, what do you suggest? If I take out the flash reader/writes and the wirless card, I save some money so I can get a bettwer case. Which one of these do you think is best?

1. Azza Toledo 301 Gaming Mid-Tower Case
2. Azza Orion
3. CoolerMaster HAF 912
4. Xion Predator 970
5. Apevia X-Plorer 2
6. Raidmax Quantum

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[jaquith]

Rather than reinventing the wheel you might want to look at this post -> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/system-builder-value,2972.html The builds are focused on Gaming over quality.

It's tough for me to 'push' quantity over quality. IMO Build it yourself! You'll have a lot more satisfaction in the process. If my, at the time, 10 year old daughter could build then so can you.

Case's are personal, and IF you get a 'good' one then your can reuse it later. The CM HAF 912 at least has cable management.

Otherwise the following is the 'cheapest' my integrity allows. It will last and offers solid OC plus expansion: RST, SLI/CF, etc. A MOBO it's the core of the build. The following is all from reputable companies and the warranty period is the same or longer than CB.

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
GPU 185 EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
RAM 55 Mushkin Blackline 8GB DDR3 1600 Model 996988 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226184
CASE 88 CM RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
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
ODD 22 ASUS 24X DVDR - Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
OS 100 Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
HSF 58 Thermaltake Frio http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106150
1087

No OC 'now' then save $58 on the Thermaltake Frio. When you need more performance then add a second GTX 560 in SLI.

GPU Option:
GPU 310 {+115} EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593 ; LIFETIME WARRANTY