what is the best Motherboard for a i7 2600s? I want to see if reusing my old CPU is practical.

[zbrauny]

Im trying to figure out if saving the money on using my old CPU in my new computer is worth it. what would be the best MoBo if I do use it? I looked at the AS Rock Z77 Extreme4 but I read some reviews of it failing after a year or so.

 

[i7Baby]

The 2600s is not overclockable. You could try a H77 too.

See http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600093976&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA%201155

 

[zbrauny]

I was looking to put in a i5 prob a 4690 or 4670 if I did replace it, how much of a increase would i see? if i did buy a new cpu I would just keep my old HP elite together. how would a GTX 970 run off the old 2600?

 

[chenw]

I don't think it has as much to do with the CPU's performance, but the chipset itself.

I personally have a 2600 running on a p67 Mobo, which is sufficient to run 970, but because I decided to use swift, I ended up upgrading the entire rig. Didn't see much point in cannibalising a single CPU when it is the only thing besides the 970 I would end up cannibalising (I would have to replace my mobo, my power supply and my monitor), so I decided to keep the old rig intact and bought a whole new rig instead.

Several factors made that decision for me though:
1. 2600 does not suppor PCI-E 3.0, only 2.0. While it may not make much of a difference in gaming, I didn't want my bandwidth to be downgraded, as I felt it didn't feel like an 'upgrade' at all.
2. I wasn't that budget constrained.
3. throwing out working parts of a perfectly functional rig seems a bit wasteful, so I decided to keep it intact and give it to my family, made a new rig of my own.

Any mobos that are out now that support 2600s are pretty dated at this stage.

That being said, if your goal is to only ever use 1GPU, then you wouldn't gain much by going with a haswelll i5 at the moment, the difference in raw performance between the CPUs in gaming is small enough to not be a major factor, and a PCI-E 2.0 x16 lane should still be plenty for the 970, with no signs of any hint that it is going to change.

 

[RobCrezz]

The 2600s is not overclockable. You could try a H77 too.

See http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600093976&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA%201155

Actually, it is overclockable by 4 bins.

The Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 is a good motherboard. I have one and its been totally fine.

 

[RobCrezz]

I don't think it has as much to do with the CPU's performance, but the chipset itself.

I personally have a 2600 running on a p67 Mobo, which is sufficient to run 970, but because I decided to use swift, I ended up upgrading the entire rig. Didn't see much point in cannibalising a single CPU when it is the only thing besides the 970 I would end up cannibalising (I would have to replace my mobo, my power supply and my monitor), so I decided to keep the old rig intact and bought a whole new rig instead.

Several factors made that decision for me though:
1. 2600 does not suppor PCI-E 3.0, only 2.0. While it may not make much of a difference in gaming, I didn't want my bandwidth to be downgraded, as I felt it didn't feel like an 'upgrade' at all.
2. I wasn't that budget constrained.
3. throwing out working parts of a perfectly functional rig seems a bit wasteful, so I decided to keep it intact and give it to my family, made a new rig of my own.

Any mobos that are out now that support 2600s are pretty dated at this stage.

That being said, if your goal is to only ever use 1GPU, then you wouldn't gain much by going with a haswelll i5 at the moment, the difference in raw performance between the CPUs in gaming is small enough to not be a major factor, and a PCI-E 2.0 x16 lane should still be plenty for the 970, with no signs of any hint that it is going to change.

PCI-E 3 will make no difference with the 2600 as the controller is on the CPU and it will run as PCI-E 2.0 anyway.

 

[chenw]

PCI-E 3 will make no difference with the 2600 as the controller is on the CPU and it will run as PCI-E 2.0 anyway.

Exactly, which is why I ended up replacing the CPU as well. Didn't really see much point in upgrading the mobo only when I am not getting much out of just upgrading the mobo.

 

[zbrauny]

Thanks guys, Im on the fence with keeping my old computer together and parting it out, atleast I know that I could use my old CPU if i choose to. will see what comes on sale during Cyber monday

 

[smeezekitty]

PCI-E 3.0 doesn't affect the real world performance much.