OC? Yes. SLI? No.

[dreydin]

I'm a little confused on mother board offerings for the Sandy Bridge. I've done some searching and still don't feel like I know what the answer is, so I'll just ask. I plan to OC a i5 2500k to 4.4, give or take, but do not plan to run SLI. Wouldn't this rule out a Z68 for me? Aren't there more differences between a P67 and a Z68 chipset mobo besides SLI capability? What am I missing here?

I'm on the hunt for a new mobo and I'm having a difficult time locking one down. My price range is about $125+/- and I don't have a brand preference. I want the board to be OC friendly. I'll be running 2x4 DDR3, a X-25M (OS), a WD 750gb, a video card and a sound card. Ps. I feel like a noob.

 

[ctk1981]

The z68 features ssd caching and also can utilize onboard and discrete graphics via the lucid/virtu feature.

 

[dreydin]

Right, SSD caching, I forgot. So what is there to gain by going P67?

 

[chimaxi83]

Right, SSD caching, I forgot. So what is there to gain by going P67?

P67 lacks the SSD caching and integrated video, and that's all that Z68 offers over it. P67 has no additional features over Z68, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Both chipsets offer SLI and Crossfire compatibility, whether or not a P67 or Z68 board has it is up to the board manufacturer.

 

[Kenmitch]

Right, SSD caching, I forgot. So what is there to gain by going P67?

Nothing. Z68 is P67 plus the added features the above poster stated that you may or may not be interested in or need.

 

[ctk1981]

Nothing, P67 is an "older" chipset. H67 didnt support OC, P67 supported OC but no onboard video, z68 supports OC, Onboard and discrete video, SSD caching.....and maybe something else Im forgetting.

If you're building a new system, go with the z68. Since you have no brand preference I'll just throw out a board that meets your criteria.

Gigabyte z68 board 119.99

Edit: might have to wait for the link to work, newegg seems to be having trouble.

 

[Kenmitch]

P67 lacks the SSD caching and integrated video, and that's all that Z68 offers over it. P67 has no additional features over Z68, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Both chipsets offer SLI and Crossfire compatibility, whether or not a P67 or Z68 board has it is up to the board manufacturer.

You seem to be correct

The added benefit of P67 would be price point I guess. If you compare comperable boards the P67 tends to be about $30 less. Of course if your interested in or need the added features of Z68 then it's a moot point anyways.

Both the P67 and Z68 chips are for the most part compatable with Ivy Bridge also. Bios update gets the chip support. If you purchase a board with the intent to upgrade later to a Ivy Bridge chip then look for something that has Gen3 pci also.

dreydin - If you were in the Dallas or Houston area you could save some bucks getting your MB/CPU at microcenter. The savings would get you a better MB at least, or some memory, etc.

 

[dreydin]

I've been looking at Microcenter prices for the last few days. I'm unfortunately in between Dallas and Houston with no vehicle! I thought about planning a road trip, but I've already taken advantage of a good deal on the i5 2500k. Thanks though!

And thanks for the chipset info, guys. Z68 it is! chimaxi83, you really cleared it up for me. For some reason I thought SLI was offered only on the Z68 and if you didn't want that feature, you'd have to go P67. Phew! I am looking at this board right now > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279