Motherboard for my build

goodcool

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Hi, I'm doing a new build and need some advice on the best motherboard...

Here is the system I'm thinking of getting

i5 2500k
G.Skill 8GB DDR3 2133MHz
GTX 570
OCZ 120GB Agility 3 SSD

I already have a very good PSU, case and conventional HDD so don't need to get them. If you think my system is unbalanced let me know, however I'm a bit limited. I'll be using my PC mostly for graphics rendering/encoding and games. I know a lot of people would recommend a i7 2600k for that, but it's out of my price range and isn't an option. :( I can't cut back on my graphics to get a better CPU as I'll be doing a lot of graphics rendering, so I need a good one, it also has to be Nvidia as I NEED CUDA. Because of my budget I can only get 8GB RAM, but I might update later. :) The SSD is just the cheapest for that size, simple.

So can anyone recommend me the best mobo to go with the above system?

I was thinking of something like this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128506
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781

I'd prefer a Z68 chipset as I want to do a bit of overclocking. ;)

Thanks...
 

goodcool

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I fail to see how this is messy, I simply explained my reasons for picking the system then asked for advice on a motherboard to go with the following components.

i5 2500k
G.Skill 8GB DDR3 2133MHz
GTX 570
OCZ 120GB Agility 3 SSD


However, if that's too complicated then I will happily fill out a "build advice template" but could you tell me how to do that as I have no idea. :/
 

goodcool

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Ok, sorry I didn't make that clear...


I only want advice on the motherboard.
I want a motherboard that will run the below system well.
i5 2500k
G.Skill 8GB DDR3 2133MHz
GTX 570
OCZ 120GB Agility 3 SSD

I would prefer a Z68 chipset, but it doesn't have to be.
I want SLI support, dual x8 is fine, I don't need them both to run at x16.
I want USB 3, SATA 3 and PCIE 3.
I will be buying from England, any trusted online retailer is ok.
My budget for the motherboard is at maximum £130.


Thanks for your time and help :)
 
id change the whole build

1: i5 3570k is better than the 2500k. you might have heard about the heat issues but it doesnt exsist until you hit 4.6ghz which you should hit anyways

2:there is near zero benefit from getting 2133mhz ram compared to 1600mhz after you factor in the cas latency. just get a plain set of gskill ripjaws x 1600mhz

3:if you get a 570, id get a 7850 instead. performs almost the same, super overclockable, and uses half the power of a 570

4: at scan.co.uk, you can pick up a samsung 830 128gb SSD for about 75 quid. agility is known for the lower reliability and slower speeds

5:for the motherboard given you use ivy bridge, a p8z77-v LK would be the optimal board. the reason to go ivy bridge is that you can get PCI-e 3.0 which is benefitial when you do crossfire in the future. you cant use pci-e3 with a sandy bridge chip

6:for the power supply id get a xfx 650w unit. it is reliable and is very quiet
 

goodcool

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Cheers for all your help... in reply to your suggestions

1: I wasn't aware the i5 3570k was very similar in price to the 2500k. I'll probably get the 3570k now, thanks :)

2: I know there is very minimal benefit to 2133mhz ram but here it only costs £5 more than 1600mhz so I thought I might as well get it. Is it worth just £5 ($7) more?

3: I NEED a Nvidia CUDA enabled card, I cannot use my software on a ATI card so I'm forced to go with Nvidia. The GTX 570 is just the best in my price range.

4: I wasn't aware you could get a Samsung 830 series for that price, thanks for the tip. I'll definitely get that instead. :D

5: Thanks for the mobo advice! I didn't know that sandy doesn't support PCIE 3, I'll now re-budget and see if I can cough up the little extra for a ivy bridge. :)

6: I already have a very good trusty antec PSU with easily enough watts/amps. :)


So I now have 2 questions:

1: Is 2133mhz ram worth £5 ($7) more than 1600mhz?

2: Does this revised build look good to you?
p8z77-v LK mobo
i5 3570k
G.Skill 8GB DDR3 1600/2133MHz
GTX 570 - (Bearing in mind I need an Nvidia CUDA card)
Samsung 830 128gb SSD
 
if the memory is 1.65v dont use it. it will eventually damage your memory controller.

if you still have another 100 dollars, you can pick yourself up a gtx670. if you cant afford it, id wait for the 660 that will come out later on in the summer. if you cant wait here is a ice 570 to get

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1280mb-evga-gtx-570-hd-superclocked-40nm-3900mhz-gddr5-gpu-797mhz-shader-1594mhz-480-cores-plusfree-
 

goodcool

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The memory is 1.5v so it should be ok, but I might just go for the 1600mhz because it's what everyone recommends. :)

And there's no way I can afford a GTX 670, I'll just go with the 570 :)

I think that answers all my questions then, thanks for your help people!