ATX Z68 Motherboard? Which one?

[Shneiky]

Hello guys,
I want to upgrade to a i7-2600k ( wanna go to 4. something GHz, nothing extreme like 5+ ) and i want a high end Z68 ATX motherboard. I don't want a mATX. I prefer ATX, not only because you get few extras, but the cooling is better because of the boards size ( would have went to EATX but my HAF 912 won't take it ). I have been using several Asus and ASrock motherboards through the years and I had no problems with them ( when comparing with others like MSI and GIGABITE, with which I had issues ) and I want to stick with them. So anyone can help with the decision? I don't care if I have to spend a 100 USD or 100 EUR more.

Additional Info
i7 2600k
16 GB (or more) 1600 Mhz or more low latency ram ( still wondering between the brands )
GTX 560 Ti or a higher model if i squeeze from somewhere some more money

Case has additional side and top fans. Two 1 TB Hitachi in Raid array. Purpose is 3d modelling, rendering, some Premiere and After Effects and 12K x 9K pixels (and above) Photoshop files. Don't care about gaming. Care about stable long-term overclock.

 

[nikorr]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233198

 

[nikorr]

Herew u will be able to OC 4.5GHz and beyond ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

 

[nikorr]

OC with this installed, not the stock cooler : )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

 

[nikorr]

And get the fastest upgrade for the speed, SSD @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

 

[Shneiky]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. But i already have better cooler and I will switch the ram you have pointed to this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233254

 

[nikorr]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. But i already have better cooler and I will switch the ram you have pointed to this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233254

OK, but be careful, because not all the CPU coolers like the tall profile RAM.

BTW, the RAM I provided, is the same, but low profile, so it does not interfere with any CPU coolers.

As u can see, the cooler obstruct the RAM slot #0, so only #1, #2 and #3 is usable.

 

[Shneiky]

I am well aware of that issue. But I have turned my cooler 90 degrees to the left and, believe it or not, it not only does not block the ram slots but improved the cooling by lowering 2 degrees. Now the cooler's fans are taking from withing the case and directing that airflow to the exhaust fan on the top. Seems strange, but if it works - it works!

 

[nikorr]

I am well aware of that issue. But I have turned my cooler 90 degrees to the left and, believe it or not, it not only does not block the ram slots but improved the cooling by lowering 2 degrees. Now the cooler's fans are taking from withing the case and directing that airflow to the exhaust fan on the top. Seems strange, but if it works - it works!

Cool, as long as u know ....

 

[Shneiky]

And btw the ram you posted has 9-9-9-24 latencies. The one i want has 7-8-7-24.

 

[nikorr]

And btw the ram you posted has 9-9-9-24 latencies. The one i want has 7-8-7-24.

Microscopic detail, visible only in the benchmark.

 

[Shneiky]

If you make a complex scene render which takes 30+ hours, that lower latencies will kill 2-3 hours at least.

 

[nikorr]

Yes, but how often u do that?

I am not trying to discourage u from getting the RAM, it is a great RAM.

 

[Shneiky]

Well i am speaking from personal experience. When all the data is in the ram and it is constantly jumping between cpu-ram-gpu and then vice verse it important to have fast ram specially when creating 3D.

 

[Shneiky]

But on the SSD I totally agree. A SDD for caching will be a great improvement, but i can't allow a 256 GB SDD at the moment.

 

[nikorr]

But on the SSD I totally agree. A SDD for caching will be a great improvement, but i can't allow a 256 GB SDD at the moment.

Even 60GB Vertex2 will do it for u.

 

[nikorr]

But for the system install and app install, not for the caching.

 

[Shneiky]

After i install all my software - Adobe CS5.5 Master Collection and Autodesk 3Ds Max Entertainment Suit and all the plug-ins i hit 180 GB. So I prefer to get them on an HDD and the catching on an SDD. My temporary files hit 150 GB sometimes....

 

[nikorr]

After i install all my software - Adobe CS5.5 Master Collection and Autodesk 3Ds Max Entertainment Suit and all the plug-ins i hit 180 GB. So I prefer to get them on an HDD and the catching on an SDD. My temporary files hit 150 GB sometimes....

I know, I have a CS5.5, but it makes the difference when just the OS is on SSD.

But, yes, if there is a shortage of the funds, SSD cache is one way to help the situation...