Upgrade i5 2500k, which mobo?

[kodyl]

Hello guys,

I will upgrade my system based on a i5 2500k with 8 gig ram 1600.
Then, I would need your insight for the motherboard.

I do not do gaming but I use 2 graphic cards to display on my 3 screens (23inch HD, 19inch, 17inch).
My graphic cards are a Radeon HD 6450 (HDMI,DVI) & Nvidia GeForce 7300(DVI).
Then I would like a motherboard which allows 8x when both are connected.
I guess the GeForce do not need 8x but i will change it later for a similar card as the Radeon 6450.

Additionally, the system will be installed on a Corsair Force 3 60gig (already bought it).
-Video capability is not necessary, prefer not to have it.
-I would need a PCI connector to plug my Silicon Image SiL 0680 raid card.
This because I have IDE devices: 200gig, 2x80gig for mirrorimg and my dvd burner.
I also have 2xIDE-Sata adapters.
So Like that I should be able to have my 4 IDE devices connected
either on the board or on the raid card.

I am looking at these motherboards Price AU$100-AU$200 (roughly the same in US$):

Asus P8P67 LE (though it's x4 in dual) $112
Asus P8P67 Deluxe V3 (dual x8) but $225
GA-Z68XP-UD3R (dual x8) $179
MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) (dual x16) $124

I do not know Asrock motherboard, not sure if reliable.

Any thoughs or advice is welcome !

Thank you for your time guys.

Cheers.

 

[amuffin]

gigabyte z68x-ud3h-b3. Dual at 8x gives 1% less performance than dual 16x

 

[kodyl]

Okey, I'll see if I can find that. thanks.

Though, it has dsub and dvi connector which will be useless for me.

 

[amuffin]

You never know!

 

[eax1]

GA-Z68XP-UD3R (dual x8) $179

I hear great things about this mobo, I recommend it!

 

[kodyl]

So for the chipset P67 or Z68 wont make a difference for a daily use machine, no encoding, no gaming, right?
Then, would the Z68 manage better 2 graphic cards?

Cheers.

 

[sunnk]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131806#top
ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

this is good for ur needs amuffin is right that Dual at 8x gives 1% less performance than dual 16x.

 

[amuffin]

Don't get matx boards, not as good for overclocking and many other things

 

[RetiredChief]

Even not using encoding or HDD caching, the Z is a better option.
Initial build you do not need to install the video card - Makes troubleshooting easier if by chance have a problem.
If Need be, problem down stream can remove GPUs and still use computer.
Just make sure the MB has video out on backpanel (some gigabyte MBs do NOT).

I have the Astock Z68 Extreme 4 and it works fine. Myself I'm a gigabyte fan, BUT when Z68 boards first came out none of the Gigabyte Boards had Hdmi out on the back panel - Their Rational, If you are going to buy a i5-2500k and a higher end MB you WILL be using a GPU and not the IGP.

 

[kodyl]

Don't get matx boards, not as good for overclocking and many other things

Indeed, I'm looking at normal size motherboards and anyway I need my PCI port !

 

[kodyl]

Even not using encoding or HDD caching, the Z is a better option.
Initial build you do not need to install the video card - Makes troubleshooting easier if by chance have a problem.
If Need be, problem down stream can remove GPUs and still use computer.
Just make sure the MB has video out on backpanel (some gigabyte MBs do NOT).

I have the Astock Z68 Extreme 4 and it works fine. Myself I'm a gigabyte fan, BUT when Z68 boards first came out none of the Gigabyte Boards had Hdmi out on the back panel - Their Rational, If you are going to buy a i5-2500k and a higher end MB you WILL be using a GPU and not the IGP.

Okey I guess it does no hurt having an IGP...
Then the Astock Z68 Extreme 4 does everything I need. But it's pretty much the same as the GA-Z68XP-UD3R.
So maybe it's still better to take the gigabyte as it's the same price?

Cheers.

 

[kodyl]

Best answer selected by kodyl.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey