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Rik1254

Rik1254

Rik1254

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Joined
11 Jul 2011
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Abertillery - S.Wales
After asking many pointless questions about AMD...now its Intels turn.


Ive bought an i7-2600k (for future proofing and because it was a steal) and now tyring to think of some RAM and a mobo....Yes Stu Ive listened and not buying into a currently dead end product :p

My requirements:
- Im a casual gamer, most stressing game will probably be BF3 when it comes out.
- I tend to do a lot of CAD and image editing
- Im going into architecture...so there will no doubt be some modelling program in that, that Ill need to be ready for.

What Ive found:

Ive read some threads and noticed the Asrock Extreme4 (Z68) is highly recommended. Overclocking isnt a major issue for me (looking to push around 4.5).
What Im not sure of is, Asrock isnt a brand Im too familiar on, are they any good?
On the Asrock website, it says quad SLi/ xfire, but I only see 3 pci-e slots....does it hybrid with the onboard?
Would I benefit more from a P67?



Now for RAM, Im happy to go with the Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600mhz (9-9-9-24), unless theres a better brand/ deal on at the moment?
 
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Rik1254 said:
After asking many pointless questions about AMD...now its Intels turn.


Ive bought an i7-2600k (for future proofing and because it was a steal) and now tyring to think of some RAM and a mobo....Yes Stu Ive listened and not buying into a currently dead end product :p

My requirements:
- Im a casual gamer, most stressing game will probably be BF3 when it comes out.
- I tend to do a lot of CAD and image editing


What Ive found:

Ive read some threads and noticed the Asrock Extreme4 (Z68) is highly recommended. Overclocking isnt a major issue for me (looking to push around 4.5).
What Im not sure of is, Asrock isnt a brand Im too familiar on, are they any good?
On the Asrock website, it says quad SLi/ xfire, but I only see 3 pci-e slots....does it hybrid with the onboard?
Would I benefit more from a P67?



Now for RAM, Im happy to go with the Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600mhz (9-9-9-24), unless theres a better brand/ deal on at the moment?
Click to expand...
Asrock are good, they're a side company of Asus :D
 
ASRock is a good brand; they are owned by Asus. Personally, I would have gone with a cheap i3 right now, and get a 3rd Generation board and upgrade to Ivy Bridge when it arrives.

The RAM is really just a matter of the cheapest kit available at the time because RAM timings make very little difference on a Sandy Bridge build.
 
Rik1254 said:
What Im not sure of is, Asrock isnt a brand Im too familiar on, are they any good?
Click to expand...

The Z68 extreme 4 is getting good reviews/feedback and is recommended in a lot of builds.

Rik1254 said:
On the Asrock website, it says quad SLi/ xfire, but I only see 3 pci-e slots....does it hybrid with the onboard?
Click to expand...

quad sli/xfire on that board is only possible when using two dual gpu cards.

Rik1254 said:
Would I benefit more from a P67?
Click to expand...

no, z68 has a few extra features over p67

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/05/13/what-is-the-intel-z68-chipset/1

Rik1254 said:
Now for RAM, Im happy to go with the Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600mhz (9-9-9-24), unless theres a better brand/ deal on at the moment?
Click to expand...

maybe worth getting a 8gb kit for cad/image editing

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-290-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517
 
I thought z68 mobos were Ivy compatible?

But Ive done it now so I can stop complaining, Ive been stuck with my current build (sig) for 2 years....I need an upgrade.
 
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YOUR BASKET
1 x asrock z68 extreme4 gen3 intel z68 (socket 1155) ddr3 motherboard £159.98
1 x kingston hyperx genesis grey 8gb (2x4gb) ddr3 pc3-12800c9 1600mhz dual channel kit (khx1600c9d3x2k2/8gx) £59.99
total : £219.97 (includes shipping : free).



review

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/asrock_z68_extreme4_gen3_review,1.html

I have the Kingston HyperX 8GB. 1.5V - 1600MHz - 9-9-9-24 no problem.

You don't have to spend that much on a motherboard and get good performance out of the 2600K though.
 
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Oo nice.....Ill have to try and rob some money from somewhere....unless I just get the mobo and buy the ram later.
 
Nice board the asrock - its the one I've been looking at when I finally go sandybridge (if bulldozer does not live upto the hype)
 
I was thinking of going AM3/AM3+, buying a good mobo now to use with my current CPU then BD when it comes out, but Intel have so much more to offer with Ivy bridge coming out next year and with the current 25/2600k chips that pretty much own the enthusiast market on their own.
 
Right little problem, I cant afford the £160 for that mobo....I need something around the £130-£140 mark, but no more :(

I like the look of the Asus P8P67 pro...but I want an ATX board because all Ive ever had is mATX boards...need a change.

Any recommendations?


Good news though, bought the vengence RAM, hopefully for Monday :D
 
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Rik1254 said:
Right little problem, I cant afford the £160 for that mobo....I need something around the £130-£140 mark, but no more :(

I like the look of the Asus P8P67 pro...but I want an ATX board because all Ive ever had is mATX boards...need a change.

Any recommendations?


Good news though, bought the vengence RAM, hopefully for Monday :D
Click to expand...

For the price, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-165-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1906

MSI P67A-GD65, basically the version above the one I have (C45 model which doesn't do xfire/sli) and overclocking on it is a breeze.
 
Im swaying towards the asus boards....I like the heat sinks design and the bright colours (I normally run an open case, so the mobo is on show most of the time)
 
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