Advice on motherboard choice please

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T15:07:26+0000

Hello,

I am building my daughter a gaming PC. I have the majority of components and the final thing I need is a new motherboard.

Can anyone recommend a suitable motherboard for an Intel CPU (i5 12600K), DDR5 RAM and built in WiFi.

Not after anything fancy, so what ever is best value at this point in time.

Thank you

Tetras · 2025-03-02T15:13:32+0000

OCUK have Gigabyte's B760 DS3H for £130, which isn't a bad price (AX means WIFI in Gigabyte-speak), but the Gaming X is only £10 more and better equipped.

Note that B760 doesn't support overclocking features of the 12600K.

adrichardson81 · 2025-03-02T16:26:01+0000

For overclocking, you'll want a z790. Expect to pay around £170. The Gigabyte Intel Z790 EAGLE AX seems like a good shout at that price. If you're not overclocking, I'd wouldn't overspend on a board unless there's features you need, like more m.2 gen4 slots.

Minibiker · 2025-03-02T16:31:53+0000

Gigabyte are decent, UK based Warranty, I've always had GIGABYTE boards with no issues :cool:

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T18:18:24+0000

adrichardson81 said:
For overclocking, you'll want a z790. Expect to pay around £170. The Gigabyte Intel Z790 EAGLE AX seems like a good shout at that price. If you're not overclocking, I'd wouldn't overspend on a board unless there's features you need, like more m.2 gen4 slots.

Thank you. Do you know if this bord has the option to automatically overclock the CPU?

I wouldnt know what I was doing, so it's nice having the option to just press a button and let the software do its thing.

Tetras · 2025-03-02T18:31:43+0000

Livewire88 said:
Thank you. Do you know if this bord has the option to automatically overclock the CPU?

I wouldnt know what I was doing, so it's nice having the option to just press a button and let the software do its thing.

If you want the features I get it, but just FYI: the main reason I'd buy the 12600K is the price and I don't think I'd spend £170+ on a Z board.

12600K: £150
Z790: £170
(£320)

14600KF: £210
B760: £130
(£340)

The latter wins in both gaming and productivity by some margin, even with a mild overclock on the 12600K.

adrichardson81 · 2025-03-02T19:33:35+0000

Livewire88 said:
Thank you. Do you know if this bord has the option to automatically overclock the CPU?

I wouldnt know what I was doing, so it's nice having the option to just press a button and let the software do its thing.

Honestly, I wouldn't touch automatic overclocking with a bargepole - way too many horror stories of motherboards from respectable brands doing utterly bonkers things.

If it's for your daughter, you'll want to prioritise stability and low maintenance, so I'd go with B760. It sounds like you've already got a CPU, but you'd be able to drop in a reasonable upgrade from a 12600k in a couple of years, assuming you're ok buying 2nd hand.

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T20:09:04+0000

Tetras said:
If you want the features I get it, but just FYI: the main reason I'd buy the 12600K is the price and I don't think I'd spend £170+ on a Z board.

12600K: £150
Z790: £170
(£320)

14600KF: £210
B760: £130
(£340)

The latter wins in both gaming and productivity by some margin, even with a mild overclock on the 12600K

Thank you.

You may be onto something. At the moment I have a RTX 4060 (8gb) to go in the PC. And will be looking to upgrade it to an AMD 9070 XT when ever they become readily available.

I guess the 14600KF is overkill for the 4060, but will be a good pairing with the 9070 XT.

Sounds like it will make more sense to go with the cheaper B760 board with the 14600KF CPU. I can return the 12600K so thats not an issue.

Tetras · 2025-03-02T20:13:20+0000

Livewire88 said:
Thank you.

You may be onto something. At the moment I have a RTX 4060 (8gb) to go in the PC. And will be looking to upgrade it to an AMD 9070 XT when ever they become readily available.

I guess the 14600KF is overkill for the 4060, but will be a good pairing with the 9070 XT.

Sounds like it will make more sense to go with the cheaper B760 board with the 14600KF CPU. I can return the 12600K so thats not an issue.

Honestly, I think the 12600K would be fine with the 9070 XT too.

It does depend on the resolution and the games being played, but they're still decent/competitive CPUs and you'd avoid any 13th-14th gen shenanigans down the road.

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T20:52:58+0000

Tetras said:
Honestly, I think the 12600K would be fine with the 9070 XT too.

It does depend on the resolution and the games being played, but they're still decent/competitive CPUs and you'd avoid any 13th-14th gen shenanigans down the road.

We tend to play at higher resolutions without worrying about super high FPS.

Do you think the 12600k will pair well with the 9070xt? I'd rather just pay the extra for the 14600kf now if necessary.

Tetras · 2025-03-02T21:44:31+0000

Livewire88 said:
We tend to play at higher resolutions without worrying about super high FPS.

Do you think the 12600k will pair well with the 9070xt? I'd rather just pay the extra for the 14600kf now if necessary.

Yeah, I think it would be fine, especially if you play at a high resolution!

That said, it is true that the 14600K/KF is a stronger gaming CPU (Raptor lake had some upgrades over 12th gen), but they also come with a question mark over their longer-term reliability.

If you go that route, then at a minimum, I'd update the BIOS immediately upon purchase and only buy a retail boxed CPU from a reputable store (which will make you eligible for the 5 year extended warranty). I'd avoid tray CPUs or second party purchase.

mickyflinn · 2025-03-02T21:51:02+0000

Why are you not considering AM5 ?

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T22:01:05+0000

mickyflinn said:
Why are you not considering AM5 ?

I'm already running a 9800X3D in my rig, which I upgraded from a 7800X3D (waste of money that was lol)

Just want to give intel a go as they are a fair bit cheaper.

mickyflinn · 2025-03-02T22:15:32+0000

Livewire88 said:
I'm already running a 9800X3D in my rig, which I upgraded from a 7800X3D (waste of money that was lol)

Just want to give intel a go as they are a fair bit cheaper.

Doesn't that make more sense then to go AM5 like a 7600 for you daughters build so then you can hand me down upgrades, easier to troubleshoot.

Livewire88 · 2025-03-02T22:33:51+0000

mickyflinn said:
Doesn't that make more sense then to go AM5 like a 7600 for you daughters build so then you can hand me down upgrades, easier to troubleshoot.

Yes it does, in hindsight I wish I kept the 7800X3D..

It almost feels like I'm punishing myself for making that mistake!

To be honest, I'm new to PC gaming so would like to gain some experience with different components. It's all part of the fun to me

mickyflinn · 2025-03-02T22:40:10+0000

Livewire88 said:
Yes it does, in hindsight I wish I kept the 7800X3D..

It almost feels like I'm punishing myself for making that mistake!

To be honest, I'm new to PC gaming so would like to gain some experience with different components. It's all part of the fun to me

While it may be fun to learn its already cost you in some respects so this is where common sense should prevail.

If you don't mind spending and tinkering then that's fine but keeping things simple is a better way to go.

Enjoy.