Mini borads lose a lot and gain little. A lot of time you will get things like vga input but real lack of sli/crossfire compatable etc. Yes they say it but the cards you will put in it take up too much room. The 2500k is a great proc with tons of happy people. Any X4 PII is not worth 200 imo. 125 sure. If you going with the 2500k little tip get a after mark cooler. Nothing fancy 212+ is more then enough. Even with no oc it is much quiter. You wont be unhappy with the i5. But you might be with a mini mobo.