CPU and MOBO replacement

[gcortese]

Hello Toms Hardware,

I am looking to upgrade my motherboard and cpu, going from an AMD FX 4100 to an I5 2500K.

The Motherboard I'm using is something like an 800GM-usb3 gigabyte board ( can't find the manual at the momenet)

I want to buy this motherboard :

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-z68ap-d3-intel-z68-s-1155-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-20-(x16)-atx

And this CPU:


http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-core-i5-2500-s1155-sandy-bridge-quad-33ghz-hd2000-igp-850mhz-6mb-cache-95w-retail

The choice of the motherboard is becuase I'm using a gtx 580 from MSI and its pci 2.0 and the motherboard is the same.

Now the only other problem I have is how do I figure out if my RAM is compatible with all of this? ATM I have some Kingston Value Ram but unsure how the find the specifications, I tried before and where I bought my pc form was not very specific and I can't find anything on the internet either.

Also just wondering of all these are compatible and if I need a cpu cooler ? Since im not planning on overclocking one but have a igmatek Loki SD-S963 and wondering if that would work with the above combo.

Lastly, should I be getting thermal paste with the CPU supplier or will I need to provide my own?


Thanks for any replies!

 

[abekl]

For about the same price as your selected motherboard, you could have a more up to date and full featured motherboard. It's still compatible with your CPU and graphics card choices, but also leaves you an upgrade path, unlike your original selection.
Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-z77-d3h-intel-z77-s-1155-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-30-d-sub-dvi-d-hdmi-atx

 

[gcortese]

Thanks Abekl, but would a pci 2.0 gfx card fit into a pci 3.0 slot on a motherboard?

 

[gcortese]

Ignore that question, turns out that they are forward and backwards compatible, i assumed they were only backwards compatible. How do i figure out about my ram?

 

[gcortese]

Could someone please link me high quality ram that would be compatible with that motherboard? also sorry for the triple post, for some reason I am not allowed to edit my own posts

 

[abekl]

Corsair Memory XMS3 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz CAS 9 Dual Channel Desktop 1.5V
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-%282x4gb%29-corsair-ddr3-xms3-pc3-12800-%281600%29-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-9-9-9-24-15v

 

[gcortese]

Thanks for your reply.