Windows 7: Next build

I made the mistake of not listening to others when I built my Sandy bridge and went i5 2500 and an H67 board.
So this time I want to build something with a bit of speed before I retire from my job - not necessairly gaming just a bit of flight sim whenever.

Have picked out main stuff (for starters):-
Coolermaster CM 690 II (plenty of room east/ west drives and fan spots)
i5 2500K
Corsair HX 650 G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-17000CL9D-8GBXM (2x4GB) DDR3
Seagate Barracuda 500GB ST500DM002 (going to clone to a 1TB after install)
Optical I have already - Lite on (change to Blu ray after)
Windows 7 Premium

But board I cannot make my mind up and after two Gigabyte's and no hassles I am inclined to stay with them with a Z68 chipset.
Have narrowed them down to these but as there are so many and the specs just bemuse me would like an opinion from the folks in the know.


Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Motherboard [GA-Z68AP-D3] - $139.00 : PC Case Gear

Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 Motherboard [GA-Z68X-UD3-B3] - $135.00 : PC Case Gear

Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-D3 Motherboard [GA-Z68XP-D3] - $139.00 : PC Case Gear

Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Motherboard [GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3] - $175.00 : PC Case Gear << am inclined to go with this one.

Thoughts appreciated

Unless you overclock the 2500K, why bother with the upgrade??

It's odd that you would think your original purchase was a mistake.

If you are going to overclock, I wouldn't expect much difference between any of the Z68 Gigabyte boards--they differ in features.

If you are going to that much trouble, I'd look at an SSD if I was interested in "speed"---unless you spend your time benchmarking or doing some particular task all day long that would actually take advantage of a significantly overclocked CPU.

Or the very latest Intel processors, if you want to spend a few weeks right on the cutting edge---assuming money is no object.

Thanks ignazatsonic Well I was just thinking a of making one that was a bit speedier and it is a bit of a whim to do something like that after working on my son's gamer - although I must admit it isn't as quick as this machine.

I think you're right mate I probably need to come down to earth a bit and I agree that getting the latest is foolish as they are upgrading willy nilly eh? Plus money -not that I am rolling in it and of little consequence to me - friends are of more importance - I would have been prepared to lay out to get this stuff.

I was perhaps a little blinkered by the RAM speed and the O/Cing of the CPU to be absolutely honest, and perhaps a tad old and going soft in the head

Hum perhaps that SSD might be something to play around with after all

Thanks again for getting me back on the level!

A person could no doubt make a good case for upgrading CPUs every 6 months--it's just a matter of how much money you have to burn and how much trouble you are willing to undertake.

I don't know what you do with a PC--if you make a living fiddling with video files, you can probably use every bit of CPU power you can get. A stronger CPU would put money in your pocket at a higher rate.

If, on the other hand, you spend your time on more mundane stuff, you may just have a good dose of upgrade-itis. It's a well-documented disease for which you can only pray for remission---there is no cure. You might get better, but you will never get well. I've got it myself---in my case, it becomes unbearable every 3 or 4 years and I have to open my wallet to beat it back into remission.

Try to lay down until the feeling goes away.

If you absolutely can't help yourself, you can get an SSD for the price of those Gigabyte boards that are making eyes at you.

Thanks iggy I know where you are coming from mate - no I have three 7 machines a Vista and an older XP - the latter both I have rejuvenated with better CPU's and RAM and a couple of Frankensteins I am working on - just tryin to keep dementia, DT's, and boredom from the door LOL!!

Oh and plenty of fixes for friends

True Ignatz, upgrade-itis is a real concern and can spread quickly. How do you avoid it for 3-4 years?

I agree John, get a SSD and you'll be a-flying.
I looked at the boards and this one http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=18792 is the way I'd go. They all seem fairly equal, with the PCIeX16 slots and audio, the differences. This also has two USB 3.0 headers on the board for up to 4 USB 3.0 ports in a front panel.

I agree with everyone above. An SSD is the most noticeable upgrade you can do to a computer. And if you have troubles, there are quite a few experts here to help you out.

I dont upgrade as often as I used to. The extra power that comes from an upgrade needs to match the money spent.
So if you only get a 20% increase in power is it worth spending alot of money or waiting a year?

My gaming rig is 2.5 years old, runs a core 2 quad with an ssd and a new nvidia gtx 570 and it runs bf3 great at high grfx at 1920x1080. It doesn't always have to be the newest to still be very speedy.

Thanks everyone I have been doing some reading and yep the SSD is probably going to cost me a lot less and get me the speed now it's down to getting the right brand, and say a 120GB one.

By the by I also read that Z68 boards are getting to be old hat now and one designated Z79? - without looking at the mag again is the next gen then 2011 but the price dear me the prices.