Best Mobo-Cpu combination for 230$ or below before taxes?

[tetracore]

230$ is really the upper limit, it's even pushing it a bit.

I'm planning on buying a Socket 1150 Intel H97 mobo with a Intel Core i3-4150 cpu. I wonder if it's the right choice for the little money I'm ready to devote to it. I'm planning to play games with it and my GTX 650ti. I have DDR3 1066 memory. I want the fastest computer, Intel cpu only (so no AMD please) that my money can buy.

Do you think I'm making the right choice with the H97, i3-4150?

 

[James Mason]

Basically, it's the best choice you can make, if you never plan on upgrading to a CPU that can overclock down the line, like an unlocked i5/i7 (you dont need an i7 for gaming).

You COULD get a z97 board now, and then upgrade the CPU later, but with your graphics card is probably to weak to make good use an i5 anyways.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yes, the i3-4150 combined with a quality H97 chipset motherboard would be best for your budget. The Gigabyte GA-H97-Gaming 3 motherboard is very nice and only runs $105. If you have a MicroCenter close you can get the i3-4150 for $100. If not, it's going to run you $115 - $120.

 

[tetracore]

Basically, it's the best choice you can make, if you never plan on upgrading to a CPU that can overclock down the line, like an unlocked i5/i7 (you dont need an i7 for gaming).

You COULD get a z97 board now, and then upgrade the CPU later, but with your graphics card is probably to weak to make good use an i5 anyways.

Can I get a z97 board and a cpu as good as the 4150 for my price range? Which cpu would go with it to stay within the $230 price range? The graphics card limit is not a problem since I will eventually buy a new graphic card.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

If you decide to go the Z97 route then the GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SLI is a great value at $114.

 

[James Mason]

A 4150 and a z97 board like shortstuff recommended will be under your max budget, if you buy it today anyways, as i believe that 4150 is on sale for today only at it's low price.

If you could get $270 you could have gotten an i5 but, sadly that seems out of the question.

A z97 board won't make much difference anyways unless you plan/want to overclock down the line anyways (within 1-2 years, by then something new and better will be out and your z97 will be outdated)

 

[tetracore]

Which of the Z97 or H97 offer a better chance for CPU upgrade? If I ever decide to upgrade the cpu in a few years.