Chosen CPU, now after MB and RAM

bushmins

bushmins

bushmins

Soldato
Joined
30 Aug 2006
Posts
4,774
Ill be getting the i3-2120 3.30GHz and would like some advice on a motherboard and ram to go with it. I will be using my Ati 6870. Wont be doing much overclocking, just need a standard mb and ram to go with it. Im preferable to buying Gigabyte and not too fussed about the ram manufacture.

Since i wont need to overclock ill probably be using the stock cooler for now.
Any suggestions?

I see ocuk have a range of MB's for about £50 then about £80. RAM seems to be fairly cheap, i could work out what RAM to get if someone can put some MB ideas to me.
 
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The one in my post can do Crossfire/SLi. The one in your post can as well, but only in x16/x4 mode, which can affect performance. If you don't plan to do any multi-GPU setups then the Z77-D3H will be fine.

The Ivybridge memory controller in all 1155 i3/i5/i7s can only run up to dual channel mode, so it's best to get dual channel RAM.
 
You recommend him a motherboard worth more than the processor? Just pick one from here instead (H61 motherboards):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=5&subid=1965

or if you want a full size one with crossfire (at x16/x16):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-204-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2265

Lets not suggest people buy 110 quid motherboards with features they didn't ask for when they can buy one that will do exactly what they want for 40 quid.
 
I have the Gigabyte Z77X-D3H and its a pretty good board. I would recommend it to - easy to use the bios, physically looks nice, well designed and not had any problems with it at all.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £77.38
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £38.39
Total : £126.26 (includes shipping : £8.75).



Z77 mobo but doesn't do SLI/Xfire so is cheaper. It has lucid MVP so will use the i3s integrated GPU to help boost your 6870s performance, the IGP is also used by quick sync to help "turbo boost" video encoding tasks by supporting software. The i3 is actually a very good bang for buck CPU, although as mentioned it can't be OC'd by the mobo.

A more budget minded option is this

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte H61MA-D3V Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £47.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £38.39
Total : £96.88 (includes shipping : £8.75).



H61 mobo does not OC at all and no lucid MVP. It does have USB3 and sata3 though so is actually a very well spec'd mobo for the price. Hope this helps
 
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