Upgrading to an i5

[stranger46]

I am buying an i5 2500k and aftermarket cooler next month. It will be unboxed
and tested at my local computer shop to address any RMA issues. In April i need
to purchase the motherboard and memory to replace an aging AM2 platform.

I am looking to get the best performance within budget as i can given the video
card limitations. I'm sure the video will be replaced by next year.

Battleield3
Skyrim
Fallout3 & New Vegas
Anticipated Fallout4

All on 1080p 55" dlp lcd projection at best rez possible.

Approximate Purchase Date: April 2012

Budget Range: $200-$250* (motherboard + memory)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, gaming...and ummm....more
gaming (multimedia/Movies)

Parts Not Required: Everything except Motherboard and Memory

Parts list of what i have:
Win7 64 pro retail
Matx compatible case (Custom SFF cube)
Intel Core i5 2500k Sandy bridge
730w Raidmax Semi modular 80+ bronze psu (Now 2 months old after replacing a
failed psu)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6870 1Gb/256B
WD black 500Gb 7200 rpm sata2 HDD
Corsair ext SSD (and other enclourse's)
LG dvd/brd
SD card reader

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg/Amazon/Tiger
Whatever to save a few bucks.

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: I have had good luck with (an) MSI mainboard, the last system
i built on it is now 4+ years old and no complaints, but am open to any
suggestions.
Require a Matx main-board form-factor.
Require 8 Gb G-skill memory.
Require to stay ATI Radeon.

Overclocking: In the future, yes.

SLI or Crossfire: It would be nice for future expansion. I understand the
limitations on a Matx formfactor. My case dictates that formfactor and i would
prefer to stay there. That being said, any other expansion slot other than a
pci-e is unnecessary, so crossfire would be an advantage.

Monitor Resolution: ASUS VE247 1080p 24" led @ 1080x1920
Sony KD553000 55" 1080p dlp @ 1280x720 (pc) 1080x1920 (MM)


Additional Comments: As stated above, this is only a motherboard/mem upgrade.

All existing parts from the old system are to be reused, and should pose no
problems. (I hope)

I am mostly looking for motherboard and memory recommendations, as i know my way
around a computer a bit, but am not as knowledgeable as i would like to be.
I have a few idea's but won't post any in the hopes of getting fresh input.
My biggest issue is memory speed and timing's. That is what i hope to get input
on the most

Thank you lad's and lady's in advance and have a sunny day 😀

 

[James McKeane]

Part list permalink

Motherboard: Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $226.98
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-03-13 17:50 EDT-0400)

This **should** do the trick. One note: don't let your case hold you back. there are some great budget oriented atx compatible cases out there. that being said, if my budget was limited to 200-250, this is what i would go with. happy building.

 

[aRodr1guez]

This Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252

This RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231548

= $180

 

[aRodr1guez]

Just noticed you mentioned SLI or Crossfire. James mobo pick is pretty much as good as it gets for mATX.

 

[stranger46]

Ok, thanks , the Asus was one of the 3 i have been looking at. I have had bad luck with Asus in the past but with the great reviews i have seen on this board it did make my list as one of the 3 i have in mind.

I could save some money with an MSI board, and go overboard on ram. As far as i can tell the only thing it lacks that i really don't need is the pcie 3.0 and the rog thing. I'm content on staying a year or 2 behind, neither i really expect to use anytime soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130596

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130612

I really don't know what the difference is between these two boards, other than pci x speed

Here's where i stand atm, Barring any serious problems anybody see's with this build.
MOBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130612

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231480

$217.98

On a side note concerning matx cases:

I have a fully custom modded SFF mountain-mods diy case, unfortunately it does not support an atx board.
I am cutting up an even smaller Lian li case soon for a friends HTPC and have had my eye on this is a possible LAN solution;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157268
Any thoughts or criticism on this for a decent (not extreme per say) tiny lan rig would be appreciated



I got a month or so to make up my undecided mind anyway

Thanks again for your interest and have a sunny day

 

[stranger46]

I pretty much made up my mind on the ASUS gene z and 16Gb g skill 1866 Mhz.

Bought a i5 2550k just today I am so excited, it will be my fastest yet in my entire computer ownership since 1989 😀
( This dual core AMD 4600+ is the best so far, and it's still going strong)

I'll leave this active a bit more, hoping for some feedback on this mini itx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157268&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1sziyz11mkkdx