Opinions on this config

[Listetyven]

Hi there!

I've decided to build an Ivy Bridge PC as soon as possible in the price range of 385 USD. Gaming will be it's most demanding task.

I already have Graphics card (9800GTX, just for now), HDD, PSU (Corsair 550W) Case, Win7 64, 1080p Monitor and all the other peripherals.

The parts i will combine:

Intel i5 3450
MSI B75MA-P45
Corsair XMS3 2x2

-The B75 Mobos seems to be the cheapest in the 7-series; if i'm not going to OC/SLI/RAID, will this be adequate?

-The CPU is supported by the mobo according to MSI's webpage, but only with a bios update (i think). How am i going to update it to support the CPU without a supported CPU? (i assume a CPU must be in the socket to perform an update)

I am generally a little puzzled by the whole Ivy Bridge and chipsets commotion..

I live in Denmark and i don't prefer any brands above other. The particular parts above have been chosen because of the price/performance and i have notice that this ratio is quite different from country to country....

Any kind of comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

[lupinesithlord]

you would have to have a processor that works in the board initially to update bios, if its not coming with most recent already installed.

 

[Listetyven]

yea, i guess that makes sense..

when i look at this list: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/B75MA-P45.html#/?div=CPUSupport it seems that the required BIOS version for all the sandy bridge AND ivy bridge is 7798v10. The only CPU that differs from this, is the 3750K. Can i assume that mobos on the market is at least 7798v10?

 

[clarkjd]

yea, i guess that makes sense..

when i look at this list: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/B75MA-P45.html#/?div=CPUSupport it seems that the required BIOS version for all the sandy bridge AND ivy bridge is 7798v10. The only CPU that differs from this, is the 3750K. Can i assume that mobos on the market is at least 7798v10?

That's a question only the vendor can answer. It all depends on what his turnover rate is. Quick turnover means that most of his stock is new, slow turnover means that he has product that sits on the shelves for a long period of time.

 

[Listetyven]

thanks for the replies everybody!
I'll call some vendors to find out if they know the BIOS version of their stock products.

Are there any other obvious problems in this setup?

 

[Listetyven]

Future upgrades to the computer would involve a SSD, more RAM and a faster graphics card. Would the upgrade to i.e Z75 mean that much more performance? ...in other words; is this PC roughly the best price/performance choice?

 

[lupinesithlord]

id get a z77 for best compatibility and feature set.