Motherboard help for a novice

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Daiggsta 4 months ago

In learning how to replace my aging FX-6300 Bulldozer processor with something more recent, I wanted to of course go for something to help future-proof it - an i7 8700k. In my travels I learnt horrible truths, such as that requiring me to also replace the motherboard, the RAM, the operating system..........

Here's what I've got so far:

OWNED: Toshiba - Q300 960 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (OWNED) GTX 1060 6GB (OWNED) (not sure of the exact model, can find out if that's needed) Corsair - CX 600 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (OWNED) Some standard old DVD drive (OWNED)

TO BUY: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler Corsair - Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory New copy of Windows 10

I'll have to buy a new case too but that comes later. I know a little about CPUs and GPUs but next to nothing about motherboards. Reading guides hasn't helped, there's just SO much to learn. I would gladly take any advice from you wizards concerning which motherboard or motherboard series I should go for, and for that matter any advice on the other parts too. I'm expecting to spend $800-900 on this.

Comments Sorted by:

mark5916 2 points 4 months ago

You could just opt for the i7-8700, because that way you will gain some money from a cheaper motherboard.

Or even better, opt for the i5-8600K. It's way cheaper than a Intel i7 CPU.

So something like the below...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i5-8600K 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor	$259.79 @ OutletPC
CPU Cooler	Thermalright - Macho Direct 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler	$39.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - MPG Z390 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$159.99 @ Newegg
Memory	Corsair - Vengeance RGB Pro 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$129.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Toshiba - Q300 960 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $0.00
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC GAMING Video Card	Purchased For $0.00
Power Supply	Corsair - CX 600 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply	Purchased For $0.00
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit	$139.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$749.75
	Mail-in rebates	-$20.00
	Total	$729.75
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-19 14:08 EST-0500

Permalink

Daiggsta submitter 1 point 4 months ago

Hmm, that looks promising. Would I be losing out on much by opting for an i5 rather than an i7? I'm aiming to future-proof as much as is reasonable. Thanks!

Permalink

mark5916 1 point 4 months ago

Well, the i7-8700K has double the threads.

That should be beneficial in the long run, but costs $110 more!

Of course you can opt for the i7-8700 that costs less than the i7-8700K and has almost the same core turbo boost speeds.

But going with an locked processor, you will spend less to a motherboard and cooling solution as well.

And you get your double threads too. :)

Permalink

BetrayedPredator 1 point 4 months ago

A. Hyper 212 is not going to be enough for an 8700k tbh

B. Budget for the motherboard itself? Any color schemes? Overclocking? RGB Ecosystems?

Permalink

Chillsabre 2 Builds 1 point 4 months ago

What are your goals in terms of resolution for your PC?

Seeing a 1060, I assume 1080p at max settings?

If so, you are overshooting quite far for this. Even if you are planning to go with 1440p or 4K, as long as you aim for 60-100 fps, I would pick a Ryzen CPU over an Intel. They are cheaper, can be overclocked on cheaper motherboards and comes with better amounts of threads for multitasking at a much lower price.

As a result, you could be saving a decent chunk of cash over going with an Intel build which will basically provide you with the same performance in the end.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-Core Processor	$150.00 @ Amazon
Motherboard	MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard	$106.40 @ Amazon
Memory	Team - T-Force Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$130.98 @ Newegg
Storage	Toshiba - Q300 960 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive	Purchased For $0.00
Video Card	EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC GAMING Video Card	Purchased For $0.00
Power Supply	Corsair - CX 600 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply	Purchased For $0.00
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full - USB 32/64-bit	$139.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$527.37
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-20 13:02 EST-0500

The stock cooler is more than fine for a Ryzen CPU and can even handle some overclocking although if you want less noise and/or better thermals, You could get an aftermarket cooler like a Cryorig m9a.

Depending how long you had your PSU, getting a new one would not be a bad idea. Furthermore, with the money saved from going with a Ryzen CPU over an Intel one, you could buy your new PSU, a case and an aftermarket cooler.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master - Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler	$34.99 @ Newegg
Case	Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case	$55.99 @ Amazon
Power Supply	SeaSonic - FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply	$65.87 @ B&H
Case Fan	Cooler Master - MasterFan Pro 120 Air Balance 83.1 CFM 120mm Fan	$9.49 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$166.34
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-20 13:08 EST-0500