Motherboard decision problems

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

Hi,
I've managed to secure a GTX670 and I'm only just starting to upgrade. I'm going to have to put it in my crappy Asus M4A87TD (PCI-e 2.0) because I haven't got round to this stuff yet. So, I've decided the next lot of money is going on, but a common thing that comes up is price over performance. Now, I know that Intels ivybridge 3rd gen processors are out and they look brilliant, but they are very expensive and the entire upgrade would cost £300, but I also know that you can buy AMD processors and compatible motherboards for a better price/performance ratio.

Would cost about £250 maybe less for something decent... I don't care what option it is, but I need to know which would be better for my situation, I would like a board for SLI and a decent chipset with the 1155/AM3+ socket and the processor needs to be anything from £115-£185.
So I'm asking this: What make for my situation and the best website to get it from pricewise? And why please. I know all the techy lingo, but I don't have much experience...
This site and it's users have been so kind and helpful, I hope they can solve my problem again
Thanks a bunch,
Adam

 

[akxpckwb]

You don't have to go Ivy Bridge. Sandy Bridge will be cheaper and still give you much power. I'm not sure about UK prices but you can very likely get a core i3 2120 plus a decent motherboard for that price. It's not a quad core but it does very good against AMD top stuff.

You will want a motherboard with a P67 or Z68 minimum for Crossfire/SLI. The Z77 is the most complete option but also the most expensive. No idea for websites tho...maybe ebay uk?

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

You don't have to go Ivy Bridge. Sandy Bridge will be cheaper and still give you much power. I'm not sure about UK prices but you can very likely get a core i3 2120 plus a decent motherboard for that price. It's not a quad core but it does very good against AMD top stuff.

You will want a motherboard with a P67 or Z68 minimum for Crossfire/SLI. The Z77 is the most complete option but also the most expensive. No idea for websites tho...maybe ebay uk?

Thank you for replying
the problem is, the i5 2500K is only £5 cheaper than the Ivybridge 2570K... A quad core is kind of what I'm looking at, I have a Phenom II 955 at the moment, so I'm looking to get a decent upgrade. I'll look for those chipsets, thanks

 

[nikorr]

I would get 3570K, no question about that. Top performance that will last u.

Post your parts with links. That is best way to save money.

 

[nikorr]

Whats your budget and for what parts is it?

 

[nikorr]

U can definitely use this one -> ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 -> ... Latest Z77...

I just build PC with this mobo and I like the BIOS, its looks like this.

Works as expected @ 4.4GHz

That is a great mobo choice for the CPU. It has good power design for OC.

Read the Toms review Seven Sub-$160 Z77 Express Motherboards, Reviewed
@ http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254.html

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asrock-z77-extreme-4-intel-z77-s-1155-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-30-(x16)-d-sub-dvi-d-hdmi-a
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

Whats your budget and for what parts is it?

First of all, you're a legend. Thank you. Secondly, thop budget would be around £300, a little over if needed. It's just a mobo and processor.

 

[nikorr]

3570K
http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/all/cpus-intel/1028/595/659
£176.60 inc VAT

+

ASRock Z77 Extreme 4
£113.72 Inc VAT

 

[nikorr]

Thanx for the kind word : )

What about new RAM?

And CPU cooler?

 

[nikorr]

This is a decent upgrade from Phenom II 955.

Check this. Its almost the same power CPU as the 2600K,

so I made this comparison to your old CPU.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=88

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

CPU cooler won't be too bad, I won't overclock until I get one, the case is roomy and I have like, 8 fans so it should be ok. The RAM is fine, I bought some Corsair Vengeance a month ago, 8Gb 1600Mhz DDR3. No problem, you are a big help here thanks for the links too, I think that's what I'll get

 

[nikorr]

What Corsair did u get?

Low profile?

I recommend CORSAIR Vengeance 99% of the time, quality RAM and low profile with XMP profile. And if u will get an aftermarket CPU cooler, low profile is the worry free remedy with perfect fit with any large cooler.
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196
Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.

 

[nikorr]

But it doesn't matter with this mobo, as u can use the second and fourth slot

and leave the first one empty.

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

I have the normal one with the cooling fins, black. It should be ok though, I was thinking about getting liquid cooling because the case I have, has all the bits in it for watercooling. If not, what sort of one would I be looking at? I like the Coolermaster ones, all good reviews. And thanks for the bench, there's quite a difference... especially in the FPS on the games.

 

[nikorr]

Water cooling is fine, its a small attachment on the CPU.

 

[nikorr]

And thanks for the bench, there's quite a difference... especially in the FPS on the games.

It just to see the difference. There is a plenty of that : )

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

lol yes thanks for all your help, I feel mch more comfortable knowing everything now

 

[nikorr]

And 1 more part that make major difference in the responsiveness, its the SSD drive.

Its great piece to add to already fast PC, it will knock your socks off : )

Watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqnL3jX3dik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jsHpNkDQn0

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

And 1 more part that make major difference in the responsiveness, its the SSD drive.

Its great piece to add to already fast PC, it will knock your socks off : )

Watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqnL3jX3dik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jsHpNkDQn0

Wow, I knew these were fast, but I didn't know they were that fast... suppose they would load games quicker, and a bit smoother too ^^ deffinately a worthy investment, thanks again

 

[nikorr]

Glad u like it.

 

[nikorr]

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III Asynchronous MLC Internal Solid State Drive
3.5” adapter bracket included

$59.99 + FREE SHIPPING

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226247

 

[0BackwoodsBoy0]

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III Asynchronous MLC Internal Solid State Drive
3.5” adapter bracket included

$59.99 + FREE SHIPPING

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226247
http://www.mushkin.com/Images/Products/SSD/Chronos/chronos_800x450.aspx?maxsidesize=540

That is nice! Always been a fan of Mushkin, was going to buy RAM from them, but couldn't find a UK website until after I'd bought it :L It's got a really good read and write speed though