Helping choosing which z68 mobo

[jaguars28fan]

Hi,

I need help deciding between the following motherboards (since I can get 60 off if I purchase from microcenter)

GA-Z68XP-UD3
GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Asus P8Z68-M PRO
Asrock Z68 Pro3-M

I'm getting the i5-2500k cpu to go with it. I plan on using the integrated graphics. I don't plan on using multiple GPUs. I'd like to OC (nothing extreme, don't plan on getting any heatsink or cpu coolers). I don't play too many games that require great graphics... just sports games that are mostly text based (I guess? OOTP12 is one of them). I would like to use it to stream movies and blu ray to a TV monitor. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[iam2thecrowe]

If thats what you are using it for then get the i3 2100, and a cheap motherboard. If your uses are streaming blueray and text based games then you dont need to OC and you dont need more than a core i3. OC'ing is pointless for what you are using it for.

 

[jaguars28fan]

Yeah, I was planning on getting a i3 2100 and a cheap motherboard, but with the sale at microcenter... I don't mind paying an extra 50 dollars for a i5-2500k and z68 mobo. I guess it answers that any of those mobo would work. Thank you.

 

[yasir siddiqui]

Have you seen " Intel DH67CL" ?? this board has same configuration as compare to Z68 except min difference but have good difference between price.

It is 2nd gen mobo and supports "i3 2100" and also i5-2500k processor.

 

[danraies]

It's generally not a great idea to get a micro atx board (the ASUS and ASRock) unless the size of your case requires it. You get less features for a similar price point. Either of the Gigabyte boards would be fine, though.

To me, $50 for the i5-2500K over the i3-2100 is a no-brainer. I agree with iam2thecrowe that for your listed usage there's not that much of a difference, but the four cores in the 2500 vs. the two cores in the 2100 could easily make a giant difference in a year or two and with the more powerful processor you have a lot more options if you want to add gaming components later or if you want to run some more powerful programs.

 

[danraies]

Have you seen " Intel DH67CL" ?? this board has same configuration as compare to Z68 except min difference but have good difference between price.

It is 2nd gen mobo and supports "i3 2100" and also i5-2500k processor.

The price difference is because it's not Z68 - it's H67. Also, Intel motherboards aren't even in the same league as ASUS/ASRock/Gigabyte/MSI.

 

[jaguars28fan]

It's generally not a great idea to get a micro atx board (the ASUS and ASRock) unless the size of your case requires it. You get less features for a similar price point. Either of the Gigabyte boards would be fine, though.

To me, $50 for the i5-2500K over the i3-2100 is a no-brainer. I agree with iam2thecrowe that for your listed usage there's not that much of a difference, but the four cores in the 2500 vs. the two cores in the 2100 could easily make a giant difference in a year or two and with the more powerful processor you have a lot more options if you want to add gaming components later or if you want to run some more powerful programs.

Thanks. Yeah, I figured the system is WAY more then I need, but I don't often upgrade. The last time I did was about six years ago and just looking to upgrade for another 5-6 years. Like I said, the main reason I'm picking the i5-2500k and these mobos are because at microcenter, you can get them for 180 (cpu) and 60 dollars off the mobo. I3-2100 and mobo would still come around to 180ish?

 

[jaguars28fan]

Best answer selected by jaguars28fan.