All,
I'm currently putting together a build with the following specs:
Processor Intel Core i5-2500K
Cooling system COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard Not sure
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
Graphics Card EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580
Hard Drive OCZ Agility 3 120 GB
Hard Drive SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
Case Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 850W
The purpose of this computer is essentially gaming (Skyrim, Starcraft 2, other cool games that come out over the next few years) as well as the usual web surfing. I may try modest overclocking, and may add another 580 some time down the road, but otherwise, I'm not an advanced computer user so I don't need bells and whistles other than those that make me enjoy gaming at high resolutions.
As for choosing a motherboard, the options seem innumerable. ASUS, Asrock, Gigabyte, and MSI all have multiple z68 models ranging in price from the low 100s to mid 200s. Tom's did an article on middle market motherboards, which selected the GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3:
From $100 To $160: Five Z68-Based Boards, Compared
Just wanted to know if people thought I'm either going too low end or high end given my computer needs with the GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3, or just choosing the wrong mobo in my price range. Also, if you think I'm making the wrong choice, which mobo would you choose?
Thanks!
I'm currently putting together a build with the following specs:
Processor Intel Core i5-2500K
Cooling system COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard Not sure
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
Graphics Card EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580
Hard Drive OCZ Agility 3 120 GB
Hard Drive SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB
Case Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 850W
The purpose of this computer is essentially gaming (Skyrim, Starcraft 2, other cool games that come out over the next few years) as well as the usual web surfing. I may try modest overclocking, and may add another 580 some time down the road, but otherwise, I'm not an advanced computer user so I don't need bells and whistles other than those that make me enjoy gaming at high resolutions.
As for choosing a motherboard, the options seem innumerable. ASUS, Asrock, Gigabyte, and MSI all have multiple z68 models ranging in price from the low 100s to mid 200s. Tom's did an article on middle market motherboards, which selected the GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3:
From $100 To $160: Five Z68-Based Boards, Compared
Just wanted to know if people thought I'm either going too low end or high end given my computer needs with the GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3, or just choosing the wrong mobo in my price range. Also, if you think I'm making the wrong choice, which mobo would you choose?
Thanks!