• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Best i5 processor?

Just got to find the right processor at the right price bring on the January sales lets hope OC have some good deals
 
Just be careful of the advice given.

The Z68AP-D3 rev 1.0 uses blue screen Award Bios. Rev 1.0 ideally needs bios version F8 for i5 3xxx CPU's. It supports i5 2xxx CPU's out of the box.

The Z68AP-D3 rev 2.0 uses Award BIOS upto version FD. Then there is a BETA bios UA9 which is UEFI. This is why some of the voltages/settings are not right. The rev 2.0 ideally needs BIOS version FC for i5 3xxx CPU's. It can handle i5 2xxx CPU's out of the box.

You need to look near the PCIE slots for which revision your board is written in white.

I have a Z68AP-D3 rev 1.0 with i5 2500k. I see no need to upgrade its Grrrrreat.

IMHO if you want i5 2500k stick with Z68, if you want i5 3xxx series go buy a Z77 motherboard to ensure compatability.
 
If he was tempted for a new mobo then it'll be better just to grab an i5 4670k/4770k and a z87 for about the same money new. 2nd hand 2500k probably be best imo.
 
If he was tempted for a new mobo then it'll be better just to grab an i5 4670k/4770k and a z87 for about the same money new. 2nd hand 2500k probably be best imo.

Cool I was just wondering as my brother is doing an upgrade.

i5 2500k are going for about £90 on MM and also on the bay.
 
the z68 should support ib anyway

he don't need to update the board tbh,that means new board/cpu

3570k should work fine alsong as he flashes to latest uefi bios first,other than that a 2500k2600k should be plenty juice
 
the z68 should support ib anyway

he don't need to update the board tbh,that means new board/cpu

3570k should work fine alsong as he flashes to latest uefi bios first,other than that a 2500k2600k should be plenty juice

You dont need a UEFI BIOS on the Z68AP-D3 for Ivy Bridge.
 
I own the board. rev 1.0 has no UEFI bios. It just needs the F8 Award BIOS. Rev 2.0 has UEFI beta but you dont need it for a Ivy Bridge on standard clocks. Read post #24 on this thread. OP not mentioned overclocking just advice on a CPU.

This is another thread where advice has been too casual.

Cash 13-

Best advice I can offer based on my experience.

1. First check if your board is rev 1.0 or rev 2.0 by looking at the board itself near the PCIE slots
2. Here is where you get your BIOS download from if required depending on rev
http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3897#bios if you need to update.
3. Check the version of BIOS you are on. You should see it on the black screen when you boot your PC where it says Award BIOS. Should be two letters beginning with Fx. If not download TouchBIOS software from Gigabyte website and run it this will show the revision.
4. Then once you have your version check it against the BIOS info in 2. above.
5. This will then tell you whether your board can accept an ivy bridge or you need to update the bios for it to accept an ivy Bridge.
6. If you have rev 1.0 you cant overclock the ivy. If you have rev 2.0 you can overclock but need bios UA9.


Then forget all the above and search for an i5 2500k and buy it rest assured you dont need to do any BIOS updates.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New year

:)
 
I remember seeing issues over on tweaktown with award bios/ib cpu but didn't know rev 1 was ok

personally I wouldn't bother with ib if your not planning on ocing:p:eek: (as in it would be easier/cheaper to oc the 2500k)
 
Back
Top Bottom