Help Spend My Money on MB?

[pitchingace88]

Hello,

I have started using this site more and more because there seem to be very knowledgeable people on here that are way more specialized than me. That being said, I built my PC about 2.5 years ago and I seem to be having issues with my motherboard with the RAM slots and just something I think with my current setup would be my next logical step in upgrading my computer.

Here are my specs:
Ultra LSP750 750-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, SLI-Ready, 135mm Fan, Lifetime Warranty
Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB Hard Drive ST31500341AS - 7200RPM, 32MB Cache, SATA-3G
Intel Core i5 750 Processor - 2.66GHz, LGA 1156, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core
Asus P7P55D LE Motherboard - Intel P55, Socket LGA1156, Core i5, 2133MHz, DDR3
Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 XMS 8GB DDR3 RAM - PC10666, 1333MHz, 2x 4GB (Got this last week, still trying to get Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit to recognize the full 8, only does 4 and so does my BIOS) Another topic for another time lol
Cooler Master Hyper N520 Copper Heatpipe CPU Cooler
Sapphire DIRT 3 EDITION Radeon HD 6950 2 GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 100312-3SR

What I am looking for:
I believe in having a good PC and will spend a little extra if it is worth it. When I first built my PC I wasn't doing as much and didn't have as much income so needed to be more frugal. I am now budgeting about 100 bucks every 2-3 months that I can spend on my PC. Its been about that time and I would like to get a new motherboard. I know putting a cap is never fun when going for dream motherboards. So if you want, go for the gusto using my specs as to what you would do if money was no object, then maybe follow it up with something around 200 bucks. It can be less or more, I just like options

Thank you for looking and if you feel so inclined, let me know your suggestions. Plus I am not here to limit you, so if you think of anything else you would switch out feel free. It's fun to see what different people like and what their experiences are. Good luck and thanks

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

The P55 chipset has been discontinued for more then a year. So while you may find a few boards out there using the P55 or the H55 chipset I would really advise that you look to getting the most out of your investment by moving up to a newer chipset like the Z77. Heck I would pick up a board like the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 and then match it up with the Intel® Core™ i5-3570K to give you a best system.

 

[proffet]

kinda agree with 'IntelEnthusiast' but I'm not a fan of ASRock motherboards anymore..

LGA 1156 is dead and without knowing the exact CPU you have because all you stated is Core i5.
well Core i5 WHAT.?
I hope your going to say i5-760 and you have it crazy overclocked.
if not then you really really need a new unit and not just another outdated P55 motherboard.
and even the i5-760 clocked to 3.6GHz or so is still a viable unit, but the new SB and IB do so much better.

how much money do you have saved up and what exactly do you need to buy, motherboard and CPU.?
taking the rest of the parts with you.?
what voltage is your current RAM if going to use that in the next build.?
(all important questions)

I say what ever you can get the best deal, 2500K + Z68 or 3570K + Z77.
that's the move to make.

decide what you want to do or if need help finding hardware (even if keeping P55 set-up) and let me know.

 

[pitchingace88]

well Core i5 WHAT.?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4959973&SRCCODE=WEBLET03ORDER&cm_mmc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-WEBLET03ORDER-_-Deals

That is the current CPU I have, I am open to upgrading both. However I have probably 200-400 to spend, although depending on how long that will last me I can go a little higher since black friday is coming up and the tech deals seem to get pretty good around those dates. Not always ON black friday but leading up and afterwards...

how much money do you have saved up and what exactly do you need to buy, motherboard and CPU.?
Was thinking MB, but if you also think I should upgrade my CPU as well, I am open to it, might not be able to pull the trigger money wise for another month though, but patience is a virtue right? lol

taking the rest of the parts with you.?
Yes I would like to, my power supply, graphics card, heat sink, RAM all seem to be more than adequate

what voltage is your current RAM if going to use that in the next build.?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
Believe it is defaulted at 1.5v

My strength is in coding and website management, actually hardware is where I lack, clearly by my little expertise, however I do know how to use google and get on the right forums

 

[the great randini]

so, no such thing as a I5 750 2.66GHz, LGA 1156, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core
but there is a i7 920 @ 2.66GHz, LGA 1366, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core

this is important, because the 920 does not fit into lga1155 slot so you want to figure this out, before buying.

down load this to verify Cpu-z

 

[the great randini]

for lga 1366 ASUS Rampage III Gene <---really nice


MSI X58A-GD65

GIGABYTE G1.Assassin

 

[pitchingace88]

so, no such thing as a I5 750 2.66GHz, LGA 1156, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core
but there is a i7 920 @ 2.66GHz, LGA 1366, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core

this is important, because the 920 does not fit into lga1155 slot so you want to figure this out, before buying.

down load this to verify Cpu-z

Am at work, will download and take a screenshot with cpu-z, however that link for the i5 is what I ordered and received. So if there isn't something called that I either got the wrong product or I mislabelled it. From a quick glance it looks the same. For some reason at work I can go on forums all I want, but shop, they won't allow it lol

 

[proffet]

it's an i5-750 @ 2.6GHz stock, I got the link OP posted.
LGA 1156.

that RAM is good to take with you as well - OP

another question:
do you live in the US and if so are you close to Microcenter or Fry's Electronics.?

 

[pitchingace88]

it's an i5-750 @ 2.6GHz stock, I got the link OP posted.
LGA 1156.

that RAM is good to take with you as well - OP

another question:
do you live in the US and if so are you close to Microcenter or Fry's Electronics.?

I do live in the US and I work 2 minutes away from a Microcenter

 

[proffet]

MicroCenter has price match just like Fry's.
they also have combo deals that are in-store only.
I just got an i5-3570K with tax for $195 out the door and could have had a deal on mobo but didn't need one.

http://microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor
Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor
$189.99

http://microcenter.com/product/387556/GA-Z77X-UD3H_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard
GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
$149.99

http://microcenter.com/product/393422/P8Z77-V_LK_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard
P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
$124.99 - $104 after rebate

the motherboard price is internet priced or store priced without combo deal.
once you go in just ask what combo deals they have with the 3570K..

also look for a motherboard that does at least x8/x8 in dual mode, do not settle for a x16/x4 in dual mode motherboard.
this is for more optimal CF-X if running HD Radeon and SLi will not work on x16/x4 legitimately, it has to be at least x8/x8..

 

[pitchingace88]

MicroCenter has price match just like Fry's.
they also have combo deals that are in-store only.
I just got an i5-3570K with tax for $195 out the door and could have had a deal on mobo but didn't need one.
.....

also look for a motherboard that does at least x8/x8 in dual mode, do not settle for a x16/x4 in dual mode motherboard.
this is for more optimal CF-X if running HD Radeon and SLi will not work on x16/x4 legitimately, it has to be at least x8/x8..

for lga 1366 ASUS Rampage III Gene <---really nice


MSI X58A-GD65

GIGABYTE G1.Assassin

How would you compare those with what The Great Randini mentioned... for instance the Rampage looks like you save quite a bit, but as a newcomer to the hardware and compatability I don't know if the extra 50-60 bucks would be worth it

 

[proffet]

for lga 1366 ASUS Rampage III Gene <---really nice


MSI X58A-GD65

GIGABYTE G1.Assassin

How would you compare those with what The Great Randini mentioned... for instance the Rampage looks like you save quite a bit, but as a newcomer to the hardware and compatability I don't know if the extra 50-60 bucks would be worth it

no...
you have a LGA 1156 processor and it will not work on a LGA 1366 board and BOTH technologies are old now.
the LGA 1366 was replaced by the LGA 2011

'Randini' is mistaken on the CPU that you run..

 

[proffet]

it's an i5-750 @ 2.6GHz stock, I got the link OP posted.
LGA 1156.

that RAM is good to take with you as well - OP

another question:
do you live in the US and if so are you close to Microcenter or Fry's Electronics.?

 

[pitchingace88]

If I were to upgrade both my motherboard and the cpu at the same time, I do understand it will most likely be more money, but it looks like my motherboard and cpu are out of date. Since I want to step it up gaming and performance. Since I have already got the video card, ram, fans, heatsink, I am thinking I might need to do motherboard and cpu

 

[proffet]

MicroCenter has price match just like Fry's.
they also have combo deals that are in-store only.
I just got an i5-3570K with tax for $195 out the door and could have had a deal on mobo but didn't need one.

http://microcenter.com/product/388577/Core_i5_3570K_34GHz_LGA_1155_Processor
Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor
$189.99

http://microcenter.com/product/387556/GA-Z77X-UD3H_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard
GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
$149.99

http://microcenter.com/product/393422/P8Z77-V_LK_LGA_1155_Z77_ATX_Intel_Motherboard
P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
$124.99 - $104 after rebate

the motherboard price is internet priced or store priced without combo deal.
once you go in just ask what combo deals they have with the 3570K..

also look for a motherboard that does at least x8/x8 in dual mode, do not settle for a x16/x4 in dual mode motherboard.
this is for more optimal CF-X if running HD Radeon and SLi will not work on x16/x4 legitimately, it has to be at least x8/x8..

If I were to upgrade both my motherboard and the cpu at the same time, I do understand it will most likely be more money, but it looks like my motherboard and cpu are out of date. Since I want to step it up gaming and performance. Since I have already got the video card, ram, fans, heatsink, I am thinking I might need to do motherboard and cpu

^^ there's your answer..

 

[pitchingace88]

^^ there's your answer..

Ok so I need to make another topic discussing whats the best cpu/motherboard combo out there lol. Thanks

 

[proffet]

no problem.
but by going into MicroCenter or into Fry's will get you the lowest prices...
remember that.

link your new thread and I'll post my suggestion and we'll see how it stacks up.

 

[pitchingace88]

no problem.
but by going into MicroCenter or into Fry's will get you the lowest prices...
remember that.

link your new thread and I'll post my suggestion and we'll see how it stacks up.

I think I posted it, but don't see it under the CPU section, will wait an hour and if it didn't get sent will write it up again since I didn't save the thread :/

 

[pitchingace88]

Best answer selected by pitchingace88.

 

[pitchingace88]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/350448-28-awesome#t2667476 is for the CPU/MB section