Budget board for i5-3570K

[boswbr25]

Hi all,

I am new to the Overclockers forum and really the overclocking world in general. I will be putting together my new computer shortly after Xmas because I am getting the i5-3570K for Xmas. I am kind of on a budget so I am wondering if anyone can suggest a decent motherboard that won't break my bank.

I am getting the "K" series so I definitely want something that has the ability to overclock, preferably z75/z77 from what I have read but I would be open to z68 too if you guys think it isn't too big of a loss.

I am wondering if the performance gain of the boards in the $120 range (such as MSI Z77A-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77) is worth it over those in the $80-90 range (i.e.- MSI Z77A-G41 LGA 1155 Intel Z77). Those were just a couple examples I saw on Newegg.

Thanks for any help,
Boz

 

[2DRUNK2DIE]

Asrock Z77 Pro3.

 

[GoD_tattoo]

Welcome!
This one. Asrock Z77 Extreme 3

Also, to address your question, yes the boards in the $80 range will work, but overclocking on them might not work out so well in the long run. A lot of times they cut corners to get the prices so low which usually means no heatsinks on vital parts, etc. So it is worth it to spend a little extra, and get a board that can handle it.

 

[boswbr25]

Thanks for the quick replies. A couple of follow up questions that maybe you could answer.

I noticed that the Asrock Z77 Pro3 does not list the "Intel K-Series unlocked CPU" in the "Supported Technologies" section on Newegg as the Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 does.

Do you guys know if this really means anything? I thought all Z77 chipset motherboards supported overclocking so I do not understand what else K-series support could mean.

Also, this may be a noob/dumb question but do these boards have "Secure Boot"? Or is that only something that you find on boards of prebuilt computers with Windows 8 preinstalled?

I like to play around on Linux as well as game on Windows so I want to make sure I get a board that does not require a Microsoft key. I haven't ever been able to find anything in the Newegg descriptions telling me whether or not this "feature" is enabled on boards and I wasn't sure if that is because none of them have it or if I am missing something.

Thanks again,
Boz

 

[Ajay57]

I would go a long with GT they cut the power phases or other parts to lower the prices. But you will not know until you try to OC your Mobo then its to late IMO!

1, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157330

This is on Special Offer and Free Shipping as well.

 

[boswbr25]

Yeah, I think I will probably have to spend the few extra bucks then. I have the money but am trying to not overspend for things that I really don't need as an average level gamer just converting to PC games from console. I just enjoy tinkering too much to short myself out of features that I may want to use over $10-20.

Thanks for the help!

 

[False Christian]

Yeah, I think I will probably have to spend the few extra bucks then. I have the money but am trying to not overspend for things that I really don't need as an average level gamer just converting to PC games from console. I just enjoy tinkering too much to short myself out of features that I may want to use over $10-20.

Thanks for the help!

You got the right PC gamer attitude. Don't skimp on mobos if you want an i5/i7 xxxK CPU. You buy the 'K' CPU because you want to overclock it to the max with the right mobo. If you don't care about overclocking than that $99 mobo will do just fine.

 

[wingman99]

If your not going to extreme overclocking then you can use a $109 dollar rig like mine, I only overclocked to 5.0Ghz and ivy bridge uses less power than my sandy bridge.

I would get the ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Warranty 3 years.

Digi Power Design, 8 + 3 Power Phase Design