Choosing a motherboard - i5 4670k

[kylel]

Hi there.
Im fairly new to the pc building world (other than replacing and changing components), I haven't really dabbled in the realms of motherboards and processors and all that.
Basically I'm after a motherboard to fit an i5 4670k (Chosen because it is fairly inexpensive and is still and excellent processor). I am going to have a Z11 Plus case for it and two graphics cards. I don't really know where to start when finding one but I would like someone to recommend or even tell me what to look for and what would be required for me to do all of this.
I am not planning on overclocking yet but may do so in the future.
Thanks in advance.

 

[TheMentalist]

ASUS Z87-PLUS is what i would recommend you. Will support your i5 and dual video cards. Costs about $160

 

[kylel]

Is this able to support the cases front 2 USB 3 and 2 USB 2 ports? Also what is the maximum ram I can have on this?

 

[TheMentalist]

Yes the motherboard has USB3 + USB2 support and the max. memory is 32GB(4 dimm slots)

 

[kylel]

Is there any other motherboards with a very similar spec that is a bit cheaper?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Are you overclocking?

 

[TheMentalist]

The ASUS Z87-A has about the same specs but its $10 cheaper. Will support SLI and 32GB ram.
ASRock Z87 Extreme3 is less than that, $140 and got the specs you want(usb,sli,ram)

But hey, what gfx cards will you use? nvidia or amd?

 

[kylel]

Not sure whether I will or not. Never done it before but if I do, it will be a Couple of years down the line. And nvidia. I'm more familiar with intel and amd.

 

[TheMentalist]

Not sure whether I will or not. Never done it before but if I do, it will be a Couple of years down the line. And nvidia. I'm more familiar with intel and nvidia than amd

Ok mate, get the ASUS Z87-K then. It wont support SLI only CFX(if you're getting amd gfx cards). For the rest it got all the features you wanted. It will also support OCing, if you ever want to.

 

[TheMentalist]

btw, that Z87-K is only $130

 

[kylel]

On my phone atm, could you have a quick look to see what that is in gbp?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.ebuyer.com/507003-msi-z87-g45-gaming-socket-1150-hdmi-d-sub-dvi-8-channel-audio-atx-motherboard-z87-g45-gaming

MSI Z87-G45 Gaming Socket 1150

 

[kylel]

Would The MSI Z87-G45 be an even better option. Its £20 more but has two pci-e3 slots which on the z87-k I can only see one slot?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I would buy the MSI board , better options!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Don't forget to choose a Best Solution when opening a question thread , the forum members will appreciate that

Thanks for posting!

 

[kylel]

Alright thanks What is the best RAM to buy. I've usually just gone for the appropriate size of DDR3 as cheap as possible, any other reccomendations?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

1600 MHZ.

 

[kylel]

Simple as that? Also I think I'm going to get 8GB. Anything more is too expensive for my budget and pretty unnecessary really. Should I get 1x8GB, 2x4GB, 4x2GB or a combination? I hear the less chips the better when overclocking as it can cause heating but but I am going watercooled and could just run a tube between the chips.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

2x4GB

 

[kylel]

Im assuming 240 pin for the Z87-G45 board?
If so, is this a good buy for it?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kingston-KHX16C9B1RK28X-Red-8GB-DDR3-SDRAM-1600MHz-CL9-DIMM-240-pin-RAM-2x4GB-/181095988329?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_MemoryRAM_JN&hash=item2a2a297c69

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

yes