Ideas please

Now my poor old Ivy (Asus P877-V board) is slowly going south I think so I am planning to replace the board and CPU with these
Intel Core i5 6600K (definite)
and either of these
ASUS Z170-AR $259 or ASUS Z170-K $239 or Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI.

I don't intend using the DDR4 just yet as I have some DDR3 @ 2400 I hope will fill in until I can afford the RAM. All my other parts will be compatible I reckon am just wondering about those boards as a choice and I have used both brands in the past with no great issues apart from what I am having now.

I would be prepared to go Haswell if necessary.

Would like to try a bit of OC but really is my general use and main machine

You will not be able to run DDR3 RAM in DDR4 slots, the configuration is different. DDR3 has 240 pins, and DDR4 has 288 pins. I believe the slot in the RAM module is in a different location also to avoid doing just that.

When I choose motherboards for my builds I narrow down my search by first choosing which brands I will look at (for me that is usually Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Biostar), and then choose a board from each brand that has the component features I need/want, then compare identical feature boards by price.

If you look at Asus offerings you will notice that all 8 boards are basically the same build, just each board has more or less component features.
Computer Hardware, Motherboards, Intel Motherboards, ASUS, New, LGA 1151, ATX - Newegg.com
I start by eliminating boards that have more features that I want (like 2 LAN controllers), or fewer (like fewer USB ports), until I find that Goldilocks board.

Then I do the same for the other brands.

Once I have decided on a MB then I look at compatible RAM.
But it is always a new CPU, MB, RAM for any upgrade like this (changing Socket type).

ICIT2LOL said:

ASUS Z170-AR $259 or ASUS Z170-K $239 or Gigabyte GA-Z170XP-SLI.

Be careful.

Go to Asus and Gigabyte and use their "compare" tools to bring up the detailed specs on those boards.

I'm going to build a Skylake machine within a few months and have begun the elimination process on motherboards.

I've got that Gigabyte SLI board on my "eliminated" list, but I can't recall why. Possibly doesn't have an Intel LAN controller? Maybe doesn't have Realtek 1150 sound chip? I can't remember. But features can and do vary noticeably from model to model and brand to brand.

Have a look at the Gigabyte UD3 and UD5 models and Asrock's OC Formula model.

Ok thanks for the heads up I was under the impression that DDR3 was compatible but no worries I can pick up 8GB for $90 to start with.

Plus there is an offer on for the CPU at the moment although they are not as expensive as I thought they might be.

I am not real worried about the graphics or sound as I shall be swapping in the GTX 650 Ti and Xonar DG my real issue would be the number of rear panel USB ports as I do like to use wired KB's and mice for the man machines.

Hi,
Newegg has a combo going,
Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more - Newegg.com
Attachment 370097

Yep well out of your budget