Sandy Bridges Build I5 2500k, Mobo Help

CompNewbie822

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Jan 10, 2011
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18,510
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade from a old computer, and I have the following parts:

RAM: OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

PSU: Corsair 750w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_psu-_-17-139-006-_-Product

Case:Coolermaster ATCS 840
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187

So I want to upgrade to a Sandy Bridges I5 2500k , whats a good mobo???

I was looking to save some money so does anyone have some suggestions on mobos????


I browsed around and saw alot of people recommend the asus pro but what about this board??

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128460

Any reasons on if this board is good or not???

The asus is a little higher than I wanted so I'd like to hear about it. Thanks
 

banthracis

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Do you want xfire/sli support?
If so, need a ud4.

Most mobo companies make pretty much identical products. The areas of concern once you know what features you want, are price, reliability and support.

GA and Asus are the 2 I usually go with though.
 
I like gigabyte boards, But I would pass on this one - It depends on current and FUTURE use of the PCI-e slots. This one is very limited.
Quote from specs
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
*For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
*When the PCIEX1_2 or PCIEX1_3 slot is populated with an expansion card, the PCIEX4 slot will operate at up to x1 mode.

Some of the other MBs do NOT spell out limitatings, so I would down load a manual on a board that you are thinking of Buying and comb thru the manual so that limitations do not bite you later.

I think your memory would be fine. One note. You bought 3 sticks to run in triple channel mode (correct). The P67 boards are dual channel so you would probable want 2 Pairs - could probable buy a single stick (SAME specs) for 8 gigs.
 

compnewbie828

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Jan 10, 2011
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sorry for being a newb, so I cant use all 3 ram sticks?

so is it worth it to spend a little more for the Asus pro over gigabyte?
ASUS P8P67 PRO LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Intel Motherboard

Do you want xfire/sli support?
Not likely, just using it for photoshop, light gaming

Approximate Purchase Date: (this week )


Budget Range: (400-600) Before / After Rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)


Parts Not Required: ( keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Corsair 750w PSU, OCZ 2x3gig DDR3 1600mhz, Evga 8600 gt GPU, Sony Burner, Coolermaster case)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ( newegg.com )


Country of Origin: (US)


Parts Preferences: by brand or type ( None )


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: No
 
Ref memory
Yes You can use all three sticks. But for Dual channel memory needs to be installed in pairs. One pair, or two pairs = daul channel. 1 stick, or three sticks would operate in single channel mode. What you could do is install just two sticks (4 gigs), then catch the memory on sale and buy the "4th stick" and then install the 2nd pair.

With the possible exception of photoshop you will not see much diff between 4 gigs and 6 gigs of ram. Bigger performance hit would be in going from daul channel to single channel mode.