Is my motherboard compatible with ivy bridge cpus?

[TaintedG]

Hi, I'm wondering whether the motherboard I'm about to buy ( http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H77MA-G43.html), is compatible with Ivy Bridge CPUs?

 

[djangoringo]

Yes, it's compatible with any ivybridge cpu, it has the h77 chipset, which was made with the ivybridge cpus in mind.
No need to flash the bios, support out of the box.

 

[TaintedG]

Yes, it's compatible with any ivybridge cpu, it has the h77 chipset, which was made with the ivybridge cpus in mind.
No need to flash the bios, support out of the box.

I heard h77 chipset prevents from overclocking the CPU. Is this true?

 

[djangoringo]

If you want to overclock the unlocked cpus like i5-3570k or i7-3770k, get a motherboard with chipset z77.

 

[TaintedG]

So then I won't be able to overclock a 3570k ?

 

[TaintedG]

Never mind I read what you said lol

 

[djangoringo]

With a h77 chipset, only the turbo mode, you can get either an i5-3470 for the h77 or a z77 for the i5-3570k.

 

[TaintedG]

So I won't be able to use a 3570k at all?

 

[payturr]

No, you can use it, just can't overclock it, so the price you paid to get an unlocked CPU goes to waste because your board (an H77 board) is unable to overclock it, just able to run it at stock settings. If you haven't bought the board yet, look at the MSI Z77A-G43 - basically the same board, except with the Z77 chipset so you can overclock a K series processor, and it's only about 10-20$ more than the ZH77A-G43.

 

[TaintedG]

No, you can use it, just can't overclock it, so the price you paid to get an unlocked CPU goes to waste because your board (an H77 board) is unable to overclock it, just able to run it at stock settings. If you haven't bought the board yet, look at the MSI Z77A-G43 - basically the same board, except with the Z77 chipset so you can overclock a K series processor, and it's only about 10-20$ more than the ZH77A-G43.

I'm trying to work around my existing case so I'd need Microatx with the dimensions 9.6 x 9.6

 

[djangoringo]

You can use the i5-3570k in a h77 motherboard, if you want to overclock it, then you need a z77, but it's perfectly functional with h77 mobos, there's micro atx motherboard with z77 chipset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130647
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157325
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128554

 

[payturr]

MSI has the Z77M-G45, which is a more high end, but micro ATX board under 100$

 

[TaintedG]

Would those microatx boards have the same mounting holes as 9.6 x 9.6 microatx motherboard?

 

[djangoringo]

Yes.

 

[TaintedG]

OK I'm going to need an opinion from you guys.

Backstory: I'm a gamer who plays under the resolution 1680 x1050.
My current video card is 7750HD and my power supply is CX500
Here are my options;

i5 2500k + http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H77MA-G43.html (h77 motherboard)

i5 3570k + http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=047792 (Z77) motherboard

^With that Option I pay around 70 dollars more


if you have any other suggestions or recommendations please feel free to tell me.

Thanks!

 

[djangoringo]

Why not the i5-3470 ?
It's a good cpu, as good as the i5-3570k or i5-2500k at stock.
With the i5-3470+h77 you save some.
But if you want an unlocked cpu, get the second option.

Like this : http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72279&vpn=BX80637I53470&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1270 + http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=047794


or i5-3570k+ http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=050847

 

[TaintedG]

Why not the i5-3470 ?
It's a good cpu, as good as the i5-3570k or i5-2500k at stock.
With the i5-3470+h77 you save some.
But if you want an unlocked cpu, get the second option.

Like this : http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72279&vpn=BX80637I53470&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1270 + http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=047794


or i5-3570k+ http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=050847

That costs 208 dollars. It just seems like something I wouldn't go for when the 2500k is like a few dollars cheaper.
One question if I were to overclock the 3570k up like 400 mhz..would I need an aftermarket cooler?

 

[djangoringo]

The stock cooler is suffice for up to ~4GHZ at load.
If you want a cheap but good cooler, get the hyper 212 evo.

 

[TaintedG]

Thanks for the cooling advice.

I've decided to spend loads on the "second option". And I'm wondering whether you need extremely good ventilation. I'm using an HP case that I have.

 

[djangoringo]

It will be suffice, though there're better cases out there.

 

[TaintedG]

Ok two more question (sorry im very OCD about making sure everything works so that there wouldn't be any surprises).

Would the power button pin from my HP case work with the new motherboard? the old motherboard was (nettle3).

And also on my case, I have these "metal bumps" on it. Do these work against shorting the motherboard? Or would I need to buy standoffs/risers/spacers

 

[djangoringo]

It's fine, but i rather get a new case, like this one : http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcacore1000bl


It's a micro atx case with quality.

 

[TaintedG]

Thanks so much!

Ok I promise my last last question. I'm upgrading from my 7750HD to an Nvidia card. (I'm having some trouble with ATI drivers (they keep crashing on me)). Do you have a good recommendation that would prevent bottlenecking? And that would work well with my Corsair CX500W power supply?

 

[djangoringo]

A 660 gtx is a good card and a good upgrade, it will work fine, you have a psu with the amps/wattage required.

 

[TaintedG]

Best answer selected by TaintedG.