Motherboard for i5-2500k and nvidia gtx-560 ti

[chiralvandal]

Hello,

I'm looking to configure a system with the Intel i5-2500k processor (I'm not very particular about this, but it seems a lot of users on this site seem to prefer this over the AMD FX processor).

The MSI NVIDIA N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC 2 GB GDDR5 Graphics Card looks good.

Could you suggest a motherboard to go with these two? I will be blowing a large chunk of my budget on the processor and graphics card, so I would like to go with just a decent motherboard that supports these two right now, I don't think I would need more expansions slots (when I want that I'll go for a new MB).

I will be using this primarily for gaming, and I'm going to be using a 22 inch monitor (will be upgrading that soon to a bigger one - probably a 32 inch TV).

Any suggestions/comments please.

 

[joemama069]

I have used this asrock z68 board in 3 builds now, and so far it has been awesome in everyone. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
The 2500k for gaming is probably the best bang for the buck that has ever existed, i have mine at 4.5 ghz and i love it. Far more powerful than an AMD FX quad core counter part.
P.S. I have a 32" vizio sitting on my computer desk as my main monitor... first person shooters are amazing, when you upgrade like you said, take that route and get a decent HD tv

 

[chiralvandal]

I live in India, my options for the motherboard are ASUS, Gigabyte, Intel and BioStar. I looked a bit at the ASUS P8Z68 series (and there are a lot of options in this series!), but don't know much about the alternatives. Any help will be appreciated

 

[pacioli]

You can pick up the replacement for the i5 2500K, the i5 3570K here
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577
The i5 2500K is $170 and the i5 3570K is $190.
Upon buying either CPU you casn get $50 off select motherboards.
For the i5 2500K i'd recommend this Z68 board at $110 less $50 discount with the CPU for a final price of $60
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775
At the same price you can get this Z77 board for the i5 3570K
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627

Edit... India nevermind

although those boards will both work with the i5 2500K

 

[chiralvandal]

Thanks Joe... that is seriously one kickass motherboard, unfortunately AsRock is not available here, my option seems to be limited to ASUS. Are there other series than the P8Z68 which would support the processor and graphics card? (All components seem to cost around 50% more here so the lower the price, the better).
Also, do you think I should be spending more on the motherboard right now, then save up to buy a graphics card later?

 

[pacioli]

Any Z68 motherboard will support your CPU and GPU. Asus is one of the better brands along with Gigabyte and AsRock and lastly MSI.

 

[chiralvandal]

Thanks. This looks good: ASUS P8Z68-V LE Motherboard
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z68V_LE/#specifications

Would I need to buy a cooler for my processor? I will not be overclocking anything right now.

 

[chiralvandal]

Thank you for all the immediate replies.

Unfortunately I'm going to have to postpone this purchase for atleast a month
With the ivy bridge processors coming in, I hope the i5 price will go down a bit by then.

I'm planning to get the P8Z77-V PRO motherboard when I do buy (a bit of future proofing, and it only costs a bit more than the P8Z68-V PRO), also have decided to buy the Noctua NH-D14 as BigMack70 suggested, with a Cooler Master HAF912 Advanced cabinet.
Hopefully I won't be tempted to go for a costlier config again

Thanks again!

 

[pacioli]

The i5 Sandy Bridges were released in January 2011... The prices finally went down $10 when Ivy Bridge was released a few weeks ago...

Don't hold your breath waiting for price drops... Intel doesn't do that.

 

[chiralvandal]

Super advice, you guys helped a lot.

A long time later, (in a galaxy not so far away,) I finally managed to get this config -

Cabinet: Cooler Master HAF 912 Advanced
Power Supply: Corsair TX 650
Processor: Intel i5 3570K
Motherboard: AsRock Z77 Extreme 6
RAM: Corsair XMS3 (1600 MHz) 4 GB (will add another stick soon)
Monitor: Samsung 21.5 inch LED S22B370H
HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500 GB

In India, this cost me the equivalent of ~ $1000.


I've been using this for a week now, and all is, well, great!

 

[Sunius]

grats .

 

[chiralvandal]

Best answer selected by chiralvandal.