Solved Which CPU for this Motherboard?

Hi Everyone,

I first of all want to thank everyone for their help so far. If you've been following my threads you'll see I've had major problems with my computer. It has fallen apart first the GPU then the CPU and now the MOBO. I've decided it will be better just to start over.

I like the look of this motherboard: Here

Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard (Socket 1155, ATX, DDR3, USB 3.0, HDMI, Bluetooth Module)

Which CPU would I buy for this MOBO? I had an Intel core i7 920 before and wouldn't want something the same or better.

I have a new GPU:

Gainward GTX 570 Phantom 1280MB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E Graphics Card

an Antec Dark Fleet 85 Case and an Antec 1200 watt PSU and 12 GB of DDR 3 RAM.

Thanks and I apologise for asking so many questions I've just had a bit of a nightmare week. :huh:

Hello Blue
You can visit the following site and scrolling down to (CPU,CHIPSET & GRAPHIC FEATURES) and choose what ASUS recommands for this type of motherboard then choose one of them

ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3

Good luck

I7 2600k, for sure. You could wait for the Ivy Bridge, the price will drop slightly on the 2600k at that point. You could just get the I5 2500k, but if you are going to go to multi gpu, then the 2600k will be better.

And btw, Bleu, what does a dead gpu, dead mobo and dead cpu all have in common?

The psu. I can't stress to you how important it is for you to have your psu tested by an experienced tech before you plug it in to your new parts.

This?

When it comes to SquareTrade Warranty I take it you need to buy a warranty for each part? I bought a warranty with my GPU would it be wise to buy others for my CPU and MOBO?

Thanks for all your help guys this has been really quite tough. Almost want to ditch the tower and get a netbook lol.

James7679 said:

And btw, Bleu, what does a dead gpu, dead mobo and dead cpu all have in common?

The psu. I can't stress to you how important it is for you to have your psu tested by an experienced tech before you plug it in to your new parts.

Click to expand...

Thanks James I've had it tested twice by two different people and the retailer I bought it from they all said it's fine. I don't understand it myself but if they fail again I'll be covered this time.

Bleu said:

This?

When it comes to SquareTrade Warranty I take it you need to buy a warranty for each part? I bought a warranty with my GPU would it be wise to buy others for my CPU and MOBO?

Thanks for all your help guys this has been really quite tough. Almost want to ditch the tower and get a netbook lol.

Click to expand...

Yes Bleu, that's the processor.

As for the warranty, for me, it would depend on the terms and cost of the warranty. Do you have a link?

James7679 said:

I7 2600k, for sure. You could wait for the Ivy Bridge, the price will drop slightly on the 2600k at that point. You could just get the I5 2500k, but if you are going to go to multi gpu, then the 2600k will be better.

Click to expand...

^ This.

Ivy bridge chips will work with the gen3 board.

But either the 2500k (4 cores no hyper threading) or the 2600K (4 cores with hyper threading, like the 920) are both stellar performing CPU's.

You wouldn't be disappointed with either.

James7679 said:

Bleu said:

This?

When it comes to SquareTrade Warranty I take it you need to buy a warranty for each part? I bought a warranty with my GPU would it be wise to buy others for my CPU and MOBO?

Thanks for all your help guys this has been really quite tough. Almost want to ditch the tower and get a netbook lol.

Click to expand...

Yes Bleu, that's the processor.

As for the warranty, for me, it would depend on the terms and cost of the warranty. Do you have a link?

Click to expand...

3 Years 2 Years

Sorry for the delay in replying I was on the phone. I'm not sure if I need to buy one for each part I hope not. :huh:

smarteyeball said:

James7679 said:

I7 2600k, for sure. You could wait for the Ivy Bridge, the price will drop slightly on the 2600k at that point. You could just get the I5 2500k, but if you are going to go to multi gpu, then the 2600k will be better.

Click to expand...

^ This.

Ivy bridge chips will work with the gen3 board.

But either the 2500k (4 cores no hyper threading) or the 2600K (4 cores with hyper threading, like the 920) are both stellar performing CPU's.

You wouldn't be disappointed with either.

Click to expand...

Thanks couldn't find any ivy bridges are they out yet?

The warranty is not a bad deal. If you have the money, it might help you sleep at night knowing that you are covered beyond what the manufacturer already covers. I have never purchased an aftermarket warranty for any component on my PC. I have decided against doing this because, I have excellent surge protection, and I replace my system before the manufacturer's warranty expires on my components.

As far as the Ivy Bridge, I was only using that for a point of reference. If you were able to wait, about a week or so, when the Ivy Bridge comes out the prices on the Sandy Bridge(2500K, 2600K, 2700k, etc) will drop, slightly. You don't need the Ivy Bridge. It's benefits will mostly be seen for someone using integrated graphics. You, having discreet graphics, don't need this processor.

Thanks James I thought I had surge protection but it wasn't enough it seems. I'm going to buy a UPS for my new system and I can definitely wait a week, I've been without my PC for a few weeks one week won't kill me.

That's good to know I'll wait a week or two and buy the SB. Might go ahead and get that board though not sure thanks James and everyone else your help has been most welcome. *tips hat*

Bleu said:

Thanks couldn't find any ivy bridges are they out yet?

Click to expand...

They aren't far off - May should see wide public availability. However, whilst purported to be more power efficient and will take advantage of full dual/multiple x16 PCI-E 3.0 lanes and new PCI-E 3.0 GPU's, there isn't a vast difference between Sandy bridge and Ivy Bridge for day to day tasks.

(And unless you are running a huge resolution or multi screen gaming, PCI-E 3.0 is not an issue)


Basically, what is your main intended usage for your PC?


General desktop usage?
Mainly gaming?

Or do you do a lot of photoshop/video editing, or run a lot of Virtual machines etc.

And do you plan to plan to run more than one GPU?

Furthermore, do you plan to overclock your CPU or run it at stock?



Realistically, for 'general usage, typical gaming and single GPU's' - a 2500K is more than enough. At stock, it's hands down better than an i7 920, even without hyperthreading.

(I had a 1336 i7 920 system prior to this and my 2500K excels in every area I use it for)

If you plan to run more than one GPU, do all the PS/editing etc and the extra hundred quid isn't an issue, a 2600K is also a very worthy replacement.

Not many games games or apps fully take advantage of hyperthreading. If the apps you use do take advantage of hyperthreading, a a 2600K is the best choice. If you know that they don't - and want to save save a few dollars -choose the 2500K.

If you don't plan to overclock at all and run at stock, again both chips are good.


However if your intended use is a beastly gaming, 2 or more GPU machine - it may be worth considering a Z77 (ivy Bridge board) as well as an Ivy bridge CPU.


Sorry to bombard with the questions, but knowing the answers makes it easier to suggest the right replacement setup.

Simply put - if you just want a 'typical, non-overclocked average PC' The board you've selected is perfectly fine.

If the extra 100 pounds is not a big deal, choose the 2600K. If you are looking to save a few dollars - the 2500K is also a very good CPU.

Bleu, just a suggestion, take it or leave it. While most UPS devices have built in surge protection, I would still recommend using a good surge protector ahead of the UPS. Where I live, in Florida(aka Lightning Capital of the world), I found it best to use a surge protector at my panel(where the power feeds my house), and at the necessary discharge locations(basically, anywhere an electronic device that I don't want fried is plugged in). This also fully protects me from surges caused by interrupts that cause surges when the electric company cycles and does route switches. I learned this the hard way about ten years ago. Lightning hit about 50ft from my house and EVERYTHING electronic inside the home, was rendered a paper weight for lack of proper surge protection.

Just some friendly advice.

Good luck with everything.

We can't really recommend a processor for you. Only you know your needs, budget, etc. You know the socket, which is 1155, so go to whatever shop/website you are buying from and look through their available 1155 processors.

Thanks everyone I ended up with a Intel i7 2600k.

Great choice Bleu! I hope you are feeling better, and also that your PC troubles are coming to a close. Good luck and let us know if you need anything else.

James