Should i sacrifice a good motherboard for a strong processor?

[Guest]

Well basically I'm building a budget Gaming-Performance PC and I can't decide.

I'm going to be doing a little of everything on this PC, Video Editing-Gaming-School.

So i have a question, Which one should i choose:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.674762 --- Will get 6GB Ram in my PC

OR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.678262 --- Will have 4GB RAM in my PC

So Basically: Gigabyte Z68 + Intel i3-2100k + 6GB RAM

OR:

Biostar H67 + Intel i5-2500k + 4GB RAM

 

[Guest]

And overclocking isn't really an issue, I'll overclock a bit but not a lot. So that won't really matter...

 

[chesteracorgi]

If you have multiple uses including video editing the i5 2500K is a better choice, but you don't need the K model if you aren't OC'ing. If you don't go with the pre-canned combos you can probably do a build with an 15 2500K and a P67 or Z68 mobo. 6GB of ram doesn't make sense as it doesnt use the dual channel properly. Either do 4GB or 8GB.

 

[Guest]

oh so now it's an 8GB vs 4GB, I'm leaning towards the i5 now but isn't a good mobo important?

 

[Guest]

I see what you mean, I'll probably get a laptop with 4 channels and i'm looking it up,

 

[Guest]

still can't decide..

 

[DXRick]

oh so now it's an 8GB vs 4GB, I'm leaning towards the i5 now but isn't a good mobo important?

In your case, you should get the fastest CPU and cheapest motherboard. An i5-2500 on a $60 mobo will be faster than am 13-2100 on an expensive motherboard.

 

[Guest]

In your case, you should get the fastest CPU and cheapest motherboard. An i5-2500 on a $60 mobo will be faster than am 13-2100 on an expensive motherboard.

Thanks, I also agree with you, im just hesitant on the Reliability of a Biostar Mobo vs a Gigabyte One.

 

[elrui]

In your case, you should get the fastest CPU and cheapest motherboard. An i5-2500 on a $60 mobo will be faster than am 13-2100 on an expensive motherboard.

It should also be added that if you decide to go with a cheaper mother board and you do not get a P67 or Z68 motherboard you might as well just get the 2500 (not 2500k) version as those two chipsets are the only one that allow the overclocking of the "K" chip.

 

[Guest]

Oh, So i can't overclock the 2300...? I can only overclock the 2500 and the 2500k?

 

[elrui]

Oh, So i can't overclock the 2300...? I can only overclock the 2500 and the 2500k?

You can get very margianal OC's on the NON "K" editions, but it is very very minimal.

Only the 2500k and 2600k have the unlocked multiplier needed to overclock.

Only the Z68 and P67 chipsets supports this overclocking.

All of the other models 2100 2400 2500 2600 (WITHOUT THE K) cannot be overclocked other than a slight improvement from BLCK tweaking which in general isn't recommended due to causing system instability.

 

[Guest]

^^ oh, Then i might consider getting that 2500k... But Really, If i'm already @ Almost 3ghz on a quad core do i really need to overclock that much + then i gotta find a compatible mobo, I'm on a budget so can anybody find a combo for like under $275?

 

[elrui]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660723

That is the cheapest combo I could find on Newegg. Only real downside from the board is the fact it only has 1 PCiE2.0 slot for video cards, but if you are on a budget you won't be buying 2 SLI cards for a while anyway. On the cost of the processor there is like a 10-15 dollar difference between the K and NON K version of the 2500k chip. Having the ability to OC gives you a bit more future proofing. Sure right now games won't see a huge increase in the clock speed increase but in the future they may especially when game makers actually start using all the cores these lovely things have.

 

[Guest]

^^ Thanks for the recommendation but really, I can't afford an extra $50 or $75... so i guess i'll just use the 2400. Thanks for the help!

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by Altay.

 

[elrui]

No problem, I am sure you won't be let down by the 2400 either! Which mobo are getting?