Motherboard and/or CPU suggestions needed

[whiteazn]

I need a motherboard and/or cpu recommendation

I have the RAM ( Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit), Video Card (I have a EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti)

I currently also have a Intel i7 920 Quad Core.

But I don't see alot of LGA 1366 MoBo's out for sale (the ones I find on newegg, are like $400, which look like server motherboards).

So looking to replace the mobo and likely cpu.

I dont do heavy gaming. (I play some wow, some sc2/d3, some BF3), but dont play them on max settings. I do keep the computer on alot to download stuff. So looking for a midrange decent gaming machine

Not sure what my budget is, but I think $500 would be good? But willing to spend more if needed. I thinking a i5 Sandy Bridge probably be good, or a low end i7 (with this, figuring in future, can upgrade video card as needed) ?

Edit: I was looking at intel i5 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504 , $219)...but an i7 was $80 more ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501 $299). Thoughts? It seems an $80 difference is worth it?

 

[rolli59]

Your board dead?

 

[whiteazn]

yeah. It wont POST, or send anything to the monitor.

The fans turn on, but the LED debug indicator the mobo has flashes debug codes that aren't even in the manual. I was reseating the heatsink, and i accidentally nicked my finger against the CPU connectors on the mobo where the CPU sits, and it looks like a couple connectors got moved to a weird angle.

 

[rolli59]

That is a shame since your system is still good. Have you considered ebay for exact replacement? If you upgrade you will still want an I7 on a Z77 motherboard. for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1098765

 

[whiteazn]

i cannot find an exact replacement, and I am fine with an upgrade.

With that Mobo, will I be able to put in 3 memory sticks (there 4 slots, and not sure if I am able to put in 3 sticks, since I have 3x2GB RAM)

Edit: Ahh screw it, just gonna fork over $40 for a 2x4GB Memory Kit ( CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) Low Profile http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 )

For Mobo, searches show the Asus Z77 being a good recommended MoBo.

Was looking at the ASUS P8Z77-V Z77, GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H Z77, and MSI Z77 MPOWER Z77 .

Was leaning towards Asus (since MSI is sold out, and seems to have the best reviews of the 3). They all practically same price, looks to have same features.

Scratch Gigabyte. Doesn't have a PS/2 for which my favorite keyboard still uses =(

 

[rolli59]

I would go with the Asus.

 

[whiteazn]

sweet, the combo comes with free G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL, and looks like has good reviews. So don't have to buy RAM. Thanks for the help