Best Chipset for a non-overclocked gaming rig?

[amarucci89]

Hi, usually I tend to research & discover these things on my own but am not able to this time around and am in need of a platform update.

What I DO know: I will be going with an 1155 mobo.

What I DON'T know: Which chipset will be optimal for a non-overclocked, SLi rig supporting full 16x/16x, is future proof, and will tend to the needs of a minimalist performance user and gamer??

Background: I have been using an LGA775 rig since 2006 with a dual core processor which has worked flawlessly for my me but is now beginning to show its age.

*Also, if someone can clarify what the chipset initials stand for I'd GREATLY appreciate it (H, P, Z, Q, etc..) Thank you for your time, patience, and knowledge in advanced!

-Alex

 

[mubin]

For 16x/16x, you have to buy good mobo which is also a good overclocker. And the mobo must be 2011 socket.

But i see this 1155 mobo supports 16x/16x but it will cost more than normal 1155 mobo.
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4169#sp

What is your mobo and cpu budget?

 

[mubin]

Post your budget, so we can help you out.

 

[amarucci89]

under $200, really appreciate the help btw

 

[amarucci89]

*under $200 for the mobo, cpu under $300

 

[mubin]

For cpu get this for $215
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115233

For mobo this gigabyte mobo is good with pcie 3.0 supports for $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545

If you get these mobo & cpu, you can do great overclock and can use SLI. Though it supports 8x/8x for sli and 16x for one. But it will do the work.

 

[mubin]

For 16x/16x you will need a mobo cost more than $300 and a cpu more than $300 or more.

So its better stay with z77 mobo. Its good and future proof.

 

[jasont78]

Hi, usually I tend to research & discover these things on my own but am not able to this time around and am in need of a platform update.

What I DO know: I will be going with an 1155 mobo.

What I DON'T know: Which chipset will be optimal for a non-overclocked, SLi rig supporting full 16x/16x, is future proof, and will tend to the needs of a minimalist performance user and gamer??

Background: I have been using an LGA775 rig since 2006 with a dual core processor which has worked flawlessly for my me but is now beginning to show its age.

*Also, if someone can clarify what the chipset initials stand for I'd GREATLY appreciate it (H, P, Z, Q, etc..) Thank you for your time, patience, and knowledge in advanced!

-Alex

you dont need 16x16x if you can get 1155 with pcie 3.0 if you can get one with 2 of them at 8x it is equivalent of 16x at gen 2 not to mention cards dont cap out the 8x gen 2 generally speaking unless your spending mega bucks on gpu's and then if your gonna do that you would waste your money on sock 2011 just to make a statement even though its not faster gaming

 

[jasont78]

Hi, usually I tend to research & discover these things on my own but am not able to this time around and am in need of a platform update.

What I DO know: I will be going with an 1155 mobo.

What I DON'T know: Which chipset will be optimal for a non-overclocked, SLi rig supporting full 16x/16x, is future proof, and will tend to the needs of a minimalist performance user and gamer??

Background: I have been using an LGA775 rig since 2006 with a dual core processor which has worked flawlessly for my me but is now beginning to show its age.

*Also, if someone can clarify what the chipset initials stand for I'd GREATLY appreciate it (H, P, Z, Q, etc..) Thank you for your time, patience, and knowledge in advanced!

-Alex

h is no overclocking
p is no onboard video
z is neither of the above compromises it will do it all
q dunno not very common to gamers

 

[nikorr]

Between x16/x16 or x8/x8 is little difference for gamer.

Do u live near microcenter?

 

[nikorr]

Get

$15 off w/ promo code EMCNDHB34, ends 7/4
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
22 nm Ivy Bridge 77W
6MB L3 Cache
4 x 256KB L2 Cache
$229.99
Free Shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

 

[nikorr]

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX

Wi-Fi GO! Smart Digi+, Thunderbolt Certified

The Asus P8Z77-V Pro is one of the rare premium motherboards that gives us little to complain about. The feature-set is stacked, naturally, with SLI/CrossFireX support, four video outputs, eight SATA ports (eSATA via an included breakout panel), two USB 3.0 controllers with internal headers, an Atheros based wireless NIC, and an Intel powered gigabit ethernet adapter. Like Asus' series 6 line, the UEFI options are expansive but the fan control capabilities have been vastly improved.
Review @ http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1262-page1.html

$259.99 + FREE SHIPPING

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131853

 

[nikorr]

Since u have been using 775, this will speed up all that u do on PC few times : )

SSD would be another speedy thing to have.

Why not OC? Its easy with this mobo and this CPU. U don't have to push it to 5GHz,

its enough to get 4.4GHz.

Even with this cooler its an easy thing to do : )

 

[nikorr]

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[jaquith]

What I DO know: I will be going with an 1155 mobo.

What I DON'T know: Which chipset will be optimal for a non-overclocked, SLi rig supporting full 16x/16x, is future proof, and will tend to the needs of a minimalist performance user and gamer??

under $200, really appreciate the help btw

IF you're not going to OC then the following for LGA 1155:
MOBO: ASUS P8Z77-V LK (SLI & CF) + MVP and withing your budget $125 after rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837
specs - http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z77V_LK/#specifications
CPU: i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) - on sale for $199.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505
specs - http://ark.intel.com/products/65516/Intel-Core-i5-3550-Processor-(6M-Cache-up-to-3_70-GHz)
RAM: (8GB 2x4GB DDR3-1600 @ 1.35v~1.50v)
High Proflie: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (9-9-9-24 @ 1.50v) Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B $50 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
Low Proflie: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (9-9-9-24 @ 1.50v) Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B $55 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196

Use the stock HSF and buy a GTX 670 GPU and you're set for quite a while.

 

[amarucci89]

Wow thanks so much for all the recommendations from everyone, that seriously helped clear up alot of things! I have a much better idea of what to get now. I am going to do some final research on all those mobos/cpus and see which ones i like best. One final thing - will I be able to run hybrid graphics with my ivy chip?

 

[amarucci89]

I only ask because my current setup ( x2 9800GTX+) produces soooo much heat and power at all times!! In the winter I dont even need to turn on my heater.. Anyway i was interested in running hybrid graphics to save energy and reduce heat when not gaming. Thanks!

 

[jaquith]

You should, the MVP is the best solution on the Z77's.

 

[amarucci89]

I just read that there is no support for SLi with MVP, is there any way around it?

 

[jaquith]

I thought that was a single GPU and internally 'SLI', I've seen it argued that it can and a story saying it can't -- to no benefits to some benefits with SLI. Here's a good Thread with folks battling it out, get some popcorn - http://www.overclock.net/t/1256265/lucid-virtu-mvp-questions and a quasi review with some info on MVP + SLI - http://sinhardware.com/index.php/reviews/motherboards/117-gigabyte/lga1155-z77/z77x-ud5h/109-z77x-ud5h-review?showall=&start=4

 

[amarucci89]

I almost got a headache reading that first thread... but the review was very informative. Looks like I'll be sticking to a single graphics card and Ill give the MVP a whirl. Thanks for the extra info, i'll have to read into it in detail when I have more time.

Shouts to everyone who helped me out on this!!!