i7 Build - CPU/Mobo Combo?

[teddyv]

Hi Folks,

With the MC sales this weekend I have decided to pull the trigger finally. I don't need a whole lot, not a gamer and won't be investing in an expensive video card. Basically I want to be able to do massive spreadsheets, import and edit video clips, photoshop, that kind of thing, just much faster than my current A64-3000 rig. I don't plan to OC, just wanted USB3 and Sata6 - may add an SSD later. No RAID, just a couple hard drives, couple opticals, and an external drive or two. I have an ATi 3750 vid card, would use it if it made sense.

I was thinking of taking advantage of the i7 and $80 off:
Intel Core i7 2600K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor ($279)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354587
and
Biostar TZ68A+RCH LGA 1155 Z68 ATX ($20 after rebate & discount)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0371606

No clue about memory, though 2 sticks/8 gigs seems to be the sweet spot.

Any advice or thoughts?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Maximum processor wattage: 95W.

I hope that you don't plan on overclocking.

 

[OnePingOnly]

Maximum processor wattage: 95W.

I hope that you don't plan on overclocking.

If you notice, all Z68 board specs on the MC website state that.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Biostar sucks

 

[OnePingOnly]

Biostar sucks

Share your experience. Did you get a bad one?

 

[Corporate Thug]

I can't seem to find a single review on this board...

 

[OnePingOnly]

I picked one up. Here is a review I've read about it that was very favorable towards the board. The reviewer was very surprised that it had really good components on it for being such a low priced board. No real detriments at all for such an entry level board. I picked this one up today for $30 (comes to $20 after MIR) from Microcenter. They had an $80 off combo deal if you purchased a 2600K. I can't really complain for $30. I'll put it together next week once the RAM comes in.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Biostar/TZ68A_PLUS/

NewEgg reviews have been pretty favorable towards this particular board, too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138320

 

[Corporate Thug]

I picked one up. Here is a review I've read about it that was very favorable towards the board. The reviewer was very surprised that it had really good components on it for being such a low priced board. No real detriments at all for such an entry level board. I picked this one up today for $30 (comes to $20 after MIR) from Microcenter. They had an $80 off combo deal if you purchased a 2600K. I can't really complain for $30. I'll put it together next week once the RAM comes in.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Biostar/TZ68A_PLUS/

NewEgg reviews have been pretty favorable towards this particular board, too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138320

Thanks.

this kills it for me:

Crossfire limited to x16/x4 connectivity

 

[videopho]

Maximum processor wattage: 95W.

I hope that you don't plan on overclocking.

Why not if his psu suffices?
Can you care to elaborate?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why not if his psu suffices?
Can you care to elaborate?

Because the power to the CPU is supplied by the VRMs on the motherboard, not directly from the power supply. So that limits your overclocking ability. If the 2500K/2600K CPU is rated at 95W TDP, then if the motherboard is limited to 95W TDP CPUs, then there is very little VRM headroom to overclock, and he is likely to burn out the VRMs on the board.

This was a big problem with many cheaper AMD motherboards, with people putting in Phenom II chips or Thuban hex-cores, and trying to overclock, when the boards were already limited to 95W TDP, and those chips themselves were 125W.

And for the record, not every Z68 mobo on MC site lists 95W TDP. So not all of them are limited like that.

 

[teddyv]

Thanks for all the advice folks - I do not plan to overclock, really just want something fast enough to do processor-heavy work and that will last four or five years until I get the urge to upgrade again. Things I already have and will re-use:
Antec EA-500 Power Supply
WD 640g Black, and 640g Blue & Two sata DVDRW
Sapphire 100248L HD3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX

Adding a new case and 8-gigs of ram (maybe Gskill?)

Heading over to MC this afternoon

 

[teddyv]

Hmmm, pays to call first. Seems they are oos on the Biostar even though they show three in stock on the website. Anyone have any thoughts on the MSI Z68A-G43?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0374834
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130614

One terrible review on NE and almost no reviews anywhere else. It is only $20 more and has a few more ports, plus it is PCIe 3.0, whatever that means...

 

[Diogenes2]

Any good DDR3-1333 RAM should meet your needs .
MC will usually match Newegg prices ..

However, something like this looks to be priced the same at both places..

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0364399

 

[Diogenes2]

Hmmm, pays to call first. Seems they are oos on the Biostar even though they show three in stock on the website. Anyone have any thoughts on the MSI Z68A-G43?
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0374834
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130614

One terrible review on NE and almost no reviews anywhere else. It is only $20 more and has a few more ports, plus it is PCIe 3.0, whatever that means...

Do they have any of the budget Asus, Gigabyte or Asrock boards..

http://www.microcenter.com/search/se...6%2B4294933080

 

[videopho]

Because the power to the CPU is supplied by the VRMs on the motherboard, not directly from the power supply. So that limits your overclocking ability. If the 2500K/2600K CPU is rated at 95W TDP, then if the motherboard is limited to 95W TDP CPUs, then there is very little VRM headroom to overclock, and he is likely to burn out the VRMs on the board.

This was a big problem with many cheaper AMD motherboards, with people putting in Phenom II chips or Thuban hex-cores, and trying to overclock, when the boards were already limited to 95W TDP, and those chips themselves were 125W.

And for the record, not every Z68 mobo on MC site lists 95W TDP. So not all of them are limited like that.

Mine does not limit as I checked.
Thanks for a very informative explanation.

 

[liamtoh1]

I got the following from MC

i7 2600K with Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 with $80 OFF on MB deal and $280 for CPU.
CoolerMaster 212+ CPU Cooler $24 ... cheaper than NE.
XMS 8GB DDR3-1333 (40 AMIR)

MB is OK... see my reply to another thread about issue with eSATA and USB issue of this board. The built of this MB looks very good though. Hence I am stumped what the issue might be...