Looking for a affordable yet worthy motherboard for overclocking non k CPU

[BigBen1996]

I have an i5-6400. Id like to start overclocking it as I've seen great reviews on it, up to a 75% increased clock on air. I have a h115i corsair liquid cooler so I'm set there. But I need a compatible Z170 board and I can't decide which one. Prefer to buy on bestbuy! Thanks

 

[Chugalug_]

You can't OC an i5 6400 unless you go the roundabout dodgy way and void your Intel warranty by getting an Asrock K4 Hyper board which supports it.
You overspent on the cooler, with that money you could have gotten yourself a 6700k, Z170 board and decent air cooler as opposed to what you currently have.

 

[RCFProd]

Here are all the 4 main brand Z170 motherboards with a compatible BIOS version for BCLK Non-K overclocking:

http://overclocking.guide/updated-msi-z170-non-k-overclocking-guide-new-bios/
http://overclocking.guide/gigabyte-z170-non-k-overclocking-guide/
http://overclocking.guide/asrock-z170-non-k-overclocking-guide/
http://overclocking.guide/asus-z170-non-k-overclocking-guide/

It's possible this way, but use it at your own risk.

 

[Chugalug_]

Unfortunately that's the only path available to you since you made a poor initial investment, up to you OP, but I don't recommend it.

 

[RCFProd]

Could sell the H115i and buy a Z170 motherboard + Cryorig H7 with a bit of extra money from your own pocket probably. Would be better value if you're willing to stick to the Non-K OC plan.

 

[Chugalug_]

The 6400s are some of the lowest binned i5s next to the power saving AIO variants, I wouldn't even bother tbh.

 

[BigBen1996]

I got the cooler for $50 from a buddy locally. Guy was selling his build and parted out and I wanted it.

 

[BigBen1996]

So I can use a gigabyte z170x gaming 5 and it would do the job for me and future proof me as well. I plan on upgrading the CPU eventually just Out of my price range. I can afford 100-200 range but nothing higher and I have a b150 board so I'm limited.

 

[BigBen1996]

Reason I'm really into this is because on stock voltage people pushed there i5-6400 up to 4.5ghz and it was stable. That's interesting to me and I'd like to explore that.

 

[Chugalug_]

Your best course of action is to save up for a 7700k at this point, and then upgrade to a Z series board down the line, don't waste your money trying to OC a lower binned i5, trust me.
Your cooler isn't going anywhere any time soon, don't worry about it.

 

[BigBen1996]

Would a 6700k be viable? Like I said I'd prefer bestbuy's financing and price matching and that's the only good one they really have. And I can get a gigabyte z170x gaming 5 or 7 as well.

 

[RCFProd]

Well you could just keep the i5-6400 and see how well it overclocks with a new Z170 motherboard, and if it doesn't work well you can go for the i7-6700k.

 

[BigBen1996]

Thank you! z170x gaming 5 is coming right up

 

[Chugalug_]

*Make that a 7700k, you can do a BIOS update and slide in a kaby lake processor.
Here's a great value board atm: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/xdmxFT/gigabyte-motherboard-gaz170xud3

 

[RCFProd]

Yeah, to be honest both are possible as long as you're not forgetting to update the BIOS to the latest before upgrading.

 

[Chugalug_]

Get the UD3 board I listed above, much better value.