Upgrading system for i5

[Snacks289]

Probably doing an i5-3570k. The current pieces:

EVGA Geforce GTX 560 Ti 1GB, PCIE 2.0

ASUS P5G41T-M LX PLUS LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX

E8400 @ 3.0 ghz

Corsair XMS 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 PC3 12800 (have enough of these for 8GB on a bigger board, so hopefully won't need to upgrade RAM)

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

Corsair TX650W PSU

I won't be around to downgrade the computer back to working condition if something goes wrong in 2 months, so reliability is always a stressful part of picking motherboards. I don't intend to SLI or even overclock, so I figure I can get something sturdy for $130. I've checked around newegg a couple times as usual, and this probably gets asked a dozen times a week here, but it's always good to get feedback from forums and see if there are any repeat recommendations.

 

[10hellfire01]

Check out the review Tom's did http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254-35.html

For what you need, reliability without bling, I like the Asus. The Biostar is the main pick, but I don't know much about them. Have personally always stuck with ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI. I'm sure you'd like the ASUS -V, unless the Biostar sticks out more for you. Biostar seem solid from what I've read just now.

 

[gussrtk]

Take an Asus motherboard or even asrock gets recommended by a lot of users here, but i like asus.

Why are you taking the 3570k i5? that is the unlocked CPU (overclock enabled), you could go for the 3570 (overclock disabled) which is cheaper 20$ give or take depends where you buy.

as far as motherboard goes, I think it's more up to you. If you will not overclock then you have a little more freedom within the 100-200$ range. Do a little bit of walkthrough on a website to see customer review and choose what you think is good.


goodluck

 

[Snacks289]

Never seen a 3570. Just 3470 then right up to 3570k.

 

[10hellfire01]

There's a 3570. However, on Newegg, the 3570K is on sale, and is the same price as the 3570, so the 3570K is perfectly fine.

 

[Snacks289]

And how does this one look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128543

Now I've realized I might have to get a new CPU fan.

 

[10hellfire01]

And how does this one look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128543

Now I've realized I might have to get a new CPU fan.

The D3H is another great board, you can't go wrong. If you're not overcooking you'll be fine with the stock fan/heatsink.

If you're going to give it a go check out http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 The CM Hyper 212 EVO stands its own ground, even against top spec coolers. You can add a second fan on it for push/pull as well. It's an amazing cooler, especially for the price. If you get it, just make sure it'll fit in your case, it's not big though.

 

[Snacks289]

I have one of those salmon-colored Zalman coolers that slices up your hand. Looks just like this one:

http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2007/10/29/hitting_4ghz_with_air_cooling/intel_penryn_45_nm_zalman_cooler.jpg

 

[10hellfire01]

That'll do you good. Can't remember any relevant Zalman benchmarks, but at the very least you can get out of it is a me agree over clock.

Thought you meant you didn't have one at all Or that you were looking for a new one. Anyhow, you have a socket 1155 fitting for the cooler?

 

[aqe040466]

Based on my experienced I used Biostar MB, they are very reliable, I build a PC last year using a Biostar TZ68A+ with a i5 2500K and 16 GB G skill DDR3 memory overclocked it to 4.7 Ghz in turbo mode and its already one year old and does not give me any headache at all and fast ang furious.

 

[Snacks289]

That'll do you good. Can't remember any relevant Zalman benchmarks, but at the very least you can get out of it is a me agree over clock.

Thought you meant you didn't have one at all Or that you were looking for a new one. Anyhow, you have a socket 1155 fitting for the cooler?

It's from 4-5 years ago for LGA 775 and I don't have the new parts yet, so I can't check that it fits on the motherboard and CPU. It won't be urgent if I need a new one, but might as well have some ideas if I want to get one.