Budget 2500k build

Bossk128 · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:46

I only need the holy trinity of parts, how does this look for compatibility? Anything I've missed? I'm after:

short term on board graphics
potential overclockability
USB3
Sata 6Gb/S
No need for SLI/Crossfire

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM
Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT51264BA160A)

Sound OK?

stulid · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:50

Got a heatsink? then get the Retail CPU.

minimadmotorman · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:52

OT but interestingly. The heatsink that comes with the retail 2100 is different to the one that comes with the retail 2500k.

One is all alloy the other has a copper base.

Bossk128 · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:52

Yeah, spotted that and forgot to update the post. Additional 2 year warranty plus heatsink is deffo worth a tenner.

any downsides to the motherboard? Why pay £290 for some of the Z68s?

stulid · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:53

Bossk128 said:
Why pay £290 for some of the Z68s?

A flood of options in the BIOS, perhaps to many options.

More expensive boards generally have the SLI/Crossfire at 8X/8X or 16X/16X (if using a NF200 extra chip) all Japanese capacitors and parts etc.

Bossk128 · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:54

stulid said:
A flood of options in the BIOS, perhaps to many options.

Overclocking related? I'd be happy to get close to 4GHz to be honest, I'm only on 3GHz on my Q6600 just now.

Edit: Also very few posts about the RAM, so it seems OK too.

stulid · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:55

Bossk128 said:
Overclocking related? I'd be happy to get close to 4GHz to be honest, I'm only on 3GHz on my Q6600 just now.

You will get 4GHz or even higher with a basic P67/Z68 board, these £200+ boards just allow everything to be adjusted.

Plec · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:12

Bossk128 said:
I only need the holy trinity of parts, how does this look for compatibility? Anything I've missed? I'm after:

short term on board graphics

any downsides to the motherboard? Why pay £290 for some of the Z68s?

If you're not going to be making use of all the extras on the z68 and the onboard gfx is only an interim measure – have you considered getting a p67 board and a second hand gfx card to tide you over?

The MSI P67A-G45 at £98 or the MSI P67A-GD53 at £108 are great quality/value for money and will easily have enough features for getting your 2500k to ~4.5GHz.

The second hand gfx card you could buy from the members forum - ~£15 for 9600 GT.

You would then have tecnically saved ~£80 to put towards your future gfx card?

However, if you need the additional features of the z68 then stick with your original choice.

Bossk128 · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:59

The Z68 motherboard is only £92

Plec said:
If you're not going to be making use of all the extras on the z68 and the onboard gfx is only an interim measure – have you considered getting a p67 board and a second hand gfx card to tide you over?

The MSI P67A-G45 at £98 or the MSI P67A-GD53 at £108 are great quality/value for money and will easily have enough features for getting your 2500k to ~4.5GHz.

The second hand gfx card you could buy from the members forum - ~£15 for 9600 GT.

You would then have tecnically saved ~£80 to put towards your future gfx card?

However, if you need the additional features of the z68 then stick with your original choice.

Plec · 31 Aug 2011 at 19:58

Bossk128 said:
The Z68 motherboard is only £92

Ah, my bad - i thought you were considering £200+ boards...

As stulid has already mentioned, 4GHz is almost a given with the k series (even with a stock cooler) and you shouldn't have any problems in pushing for ~4.5Ghz with a decent aftermarket cooler.