Does the intel H67 chipset support overclocking? and if so, is there any advantage of an intel K processer vs an unlocked one? Also, does overclocking lower the life span of the CPU?
With the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors like the Intel Core i5-2500K and the Intel Core i7-2600K there are only 2 chipset that do support overclocking of these processors and they are the P67 and the Z68. Now the P67 and Z68 are just about the same except that the Z68 chipset has 3 features that the P67 doesnt have. Those features are:
-Support for Intel SRT (Smart Response Technology) for SSD caching.
-In most cases support for the IGP (Intergraded Graphics on Processor) let you use the IGP as a graphics solution. Also when used with the Lucidlogix Virtu software you can switch between the dedicated video and the Intel graphics with Intel Quick Sync technology.
-Intel SATA III controller over the older sata III from Marvel...
Basically S is slowest and lowest on TDP.
T is same as i5 2500 but it is more energy efficient and has lower idle power consumption and lower TDP hence costlier than i5 2500.
K has fully unlocked multiplier which none of the above cpus have.
With the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors like the Intel Core i5-2500K and the Intel Core i7-2600K there are only 2 chipset that do support overclocking of these processors and they are the P67 and the Z68. Now the P67 and Z68 are just about the same except that the Z68 chipset has 3 features that the P67 doesnt have. Those features are:
-Support for Intel SRT (Smart Response Technology) for SSD caching.
-In most cases support for the IGP (Intergraded Graphics on Processor) let you use the IGP as a graphics solution. Also when used with the Lucidlogix Virtu software you can switch between the dedicated video and the Intel graphics with Intel Quick Sync technology.
-Intel SATA III controller over the older sata III from Marvel.
If there is a price difference between the chipset is would only be about the 6 that we change from the p67 to the Z68 chipset.
I won't overclock with the cpu, but does that mean getting a K processer's potential is wasted with the H67? (even though the i5 2500K is only $10 more and comes with trackmania 2)
Generally speaking, getting an i5-2500k and a H67 mobo is a waste.
If Trackmania 2 is a game you really want to play then I suppose it's worth it to spend the extra $10 to get the i5-2500k. If you want it just because it is "free", then I think it's a waste of $10.