Best Sandy/Ivy Bridge value if I'm not overclocking

[tranceFusion]

I have been reading a variety of forum posts and articles and had narrowed down to the i5 3570k, and trying to pick between the Asus p8z77-v, deluxe, Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H or UD5H boards.

However, I'm coming to a realization that I will be spending a lot of money on features used primarily by overclockers. I use my system as a primary work computer, and gaming a much smaller percentage of the time, so reliability and stability are #1 for me, and I just don't feel like messing with overclocking.

So, can someone point me at some better values that will get the most bang-for-the-buck i5 build if I'm not overclocking?

FWIW I am currently running a Phenom II X4 940, and I don't really have any complaints with it's performance, though since it's 3.5 years old now it seems like I am due for an upgrade - maybe I should just hold out until next year?

 

[WatchOut]

What country do you live in.

 

[smorizio]

you wnat to look at the h7x mb they dont have the overclocking feature on them so your going to be paying the plain jane prices.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

If you are not going to overclock then you might as well go with the Intel® Core™ i5-3550 which is a very close to the performance of the Intel Core i5-3570K without the Intel HD 4000 graphics and the ability to overclock.


Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast team

 

[WatchOut]

But to be honest you should really wait until about next year if you don't have any problems now because ivy bridge is the 'tick' and haswell is the 'tock' and it will be much better.
However if you want to upgrade this should give you an idea of what your current cpu is when compared to others.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html


You should get an h77 mobo as smorizio stated because the vast majority of features on z77 boards that are not on h77 mobos are pointless for most people even gamers the only relevant thing that the z77 chipset has is higher ram speeds 2800mhz+ vs 1600mhz on h77. The only question i have is why would get an unlocked cpu if you are not going to overclock.

 

[tranceFusion]

I am in the US.

Is there any reason to choose Intel 4000 over 2500 if I am going to have a discrete graphics card? Won't switchable graphics just switch over to the graphics card any time I need it?

Are there any chips that don't have on-chip graphics? I don't really see the point in a desktop build.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I am in the US.

Is there any reason to choose Intel 4000 over 2500 if I am going to have a discrete graphics card? Won't switchable graphics just switch over to the graphics card any time I need it?

Are there any chips that don't have on-chip graphics? I don't really see the point in a desktop build.

At this time there are no chips that don't have the IGP (Integrated Graphics on Processor). Even if they were chipset withouty I would advise that you always go with a processor with the IGP; since it is a huge help in trying to troubleshoot and good for backup graphics.

 

[WatchOut]

I am in the US.

Is there any reason to choose Intel 4000 over 2500 if I am going to have a discrete graphics card? Won't switchable graphics just switch over to the graphics card any time I need it?

Are there any chips that don't have on-chip graphics? I don't really see the point in a desktop build.

There is never any harm with having backup IGP you never know when you will need it.

Suggestions
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505
Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302

 

[smorizio]

also take a look at micro center combo deals for the ib and mb there sometime better then new egg.