Help deciding a mobo/graphics for i5-2500k

[Etamu]

Recently decided on an I5-2500k processor, currently have the ram for the computer, the case (Azza solano 1000 blue/black) and have decided on a power supply.

I live in Joplin, MO, prefer ordering from Amazon, Tiger Direct, and Newegg.

My price range is around $300 for the graphics and i'd say around 100-150 on the mobo.

Looking to buy by this coming Wednesday.

Current mobo interest is : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165562&CatId=7212

There's currently a bundle that goes unavail every few hours on TD that bundles the i5-2500k with that mobo for $319 (before rebate, great price!)

Video card interest: HIS 6950 ICEQ turbo, 560 TI, 560 TI 448 core edition.

My problem is that the 560 TI 448 is limited and may not be around long enough to buy another, also that this MOBO doesn't support SLI, it's an excellent graphics card which outperforms many at and slightly above its class.

The regular 560 TI has great performance but once again, the mobo doesn't support SLI.

My question is, should I go with a 6950 and crossfire it in a few months? Should I get the 560 with a different mobo, or should I get one 560 TI 448 and most likely not be able to find it for SLI and buy a new card in a year or two?

I WILL be overclocking this setup

 

[g-unit1111]

Current mobo interest is : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=7212

There's currently a bundle that goes unavail every few hours on TD that bundles the i5-2500k with that mobo for $319 (before rebate, great price!)

That's kind of the low end of Gigabyte's boards. I'd recommend paying the $50 difference and get this one if you're going Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498

If that eats too much into your budget you might want to consider this one:
Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Video card interest: HIS 6950 ICEQ turbo, 560 TI, 560 TI 448 core edition.

My problem is that the 560 TI 448 is limited and may not be around long enough to buy another, also that this MOBO doesn't support SLI, it's an excellent graphics card which outperforms many at and slightly above its class.

The 448 core edition is a good idea as it performs about the same as a 570 would. However they do run quite a bit expensive.

I'd suggest checking out one of these cards (6950 is being discontinued):

- Sapphire Radeon HD 7770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102970
- EVGA 560TI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130634

 

[Rockdpm]

Get that ASrock mobo and either a GTX 560 ti and SLI or...Get a 448 core and check later on either on Ebay or some place that always has deals on hardware. and grab another or. if you can use onboard video for a little get a NVIDIA kepler card. The 7000 series are looking decent. I just wanna see how kepler looks compared. But i can't tell you what to get you have to decide for your self. We will be glad to help you further in the decision making process

 

[alvine]

$240 Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623i52550K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115230

$122 ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

$47 Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996776
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226099


what psu have you picked
go for a 7770 for $160 and add another one later, that will give you performance right under 7950 or a $450 card lol

 

[Etamu]

I definitely like the looks of that GB mobo, the AS ROCK is a good price, but there's like 20 recent reviews about DOAS, hopefully if I ordered it I wouldn't get a bad batch : D.

I don't have a problem paying for the 560 ti 448, but I was just kinda curious of it's life-span, I plan on playing diablo 3, league of legends, startcraft 2 and maybe WoW mostly (probably not).

If I can pay the extra and be set for 2 years i'd be happy.

 

[Etamu]

I've already got 8gb of Gskill ram ordered and should be here today. I kinda had my eyes on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171053 for PSU.

I was looking at the 2550k but it seems that it lacks the onboard GPU, would that adversely affect performance as opposed to the cheaper 2500k?

 

[g-unit1111]

I've already got 8gb of Gskill ram ordered and should be here today. I kinda had my eyes on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171053 for PSU.

I was looking at the 2550k but it seems that it lacks the onboard GPU, would that adversely affect performance as opposed to the cheaper 2500k?

Not really. You just won't be able to utilize your motherboard's onboard video features - which is helpful for diagnosing GPU problems.

And get this for your PSU - far better brand - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

 

[Etamu]

Best answer selected by Etamu.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey