Skylake Upgrade Help

[harharhar]

Hi guys,

My Z77 MB uplorried, so I'm thinking of upgrading to mini-itx skylake platform. Now I'm in a dilemma in selecting the MB+CPU.

MB options:
(1) Asus Z170i-Pro-Gaming
(2) Gigayte H170N-Wifi

As for the motherboard, besides chipset, features-wise they are similar. GA-H170 is about $70 cheaper than the Asus-Z170 but I prefer the number of rear USB ports on the Asus.

I'm thinking of pairing with one of these CPUs:
i5-6500 (reference price)
i5-6600K (increment from reference price ~$60)
i7-6700 (increment from reference price ~$170)
i7-6700K (increment from reference price ~$230)

I don't know if the HT will be worth it. I've read around that the skylake HT is much improved from previous generations (software related or something, I'm not too sure?) And of course getting the K series necessitates the Z170 chipset.

As for overclocking, I probably won't be actively overclocking, probably just to play around and maybe for future needs. Usage: playing games (I have GTX760 at the moment) and simulation + data analysis.

At the moment I'm inclined to go for the Asus-Z170 + i5-6600K

What do you guys think? Any input is appreciated

 

[harharhar]

Any comments?

 

[royfrosty]

Why change a z77 board? It should be under warranty. You not gonna see any big improvement moving to skylake. Not unless you are into m.2 and other kinds of board improvements.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Wait for Intel Kaby Lake

 

[nexusRAGER]

currently using 6600k+Asus Z170a, no problems so far and the mobo looks superb!

 

[yusoffb01]

Hi guys,

My Z77 MB uplorried, so I'm thinking of upgrading to mini-itx skylake platform. Now I'm in a dilemma in selecting the MB+CPU.

MB options:
(1) Asus Z170i-Pro-Gaming
(2) Gigayte H170N-Wifi

As for the motherboard, besides chipset, features-wise they are similar. GA-H170 is about $70 cheaper than the Asus-Z170 but I prefer the number of rear USB ports on the Asus.

I'm thinking of pairing with one of these CPUs:
i5-6500 (reference price)
i5-6600K (increment from reference price ~$60)
i7-6700 (increment from reference price ~$170)
i7-6700K (increment from reference price ~$230)

I don't know if the HT will be worth it. I've read around that the skylake HT is much improved from previous generations (software related or something, I'm not too sure?) And of course getting the K series necessitates the Z170 chipset.

As for overclocking, I probably won't be actively overclocking, probably just to play around and maybe for future needs. Usage: playing games (I have GTX760 at the moment) and simulation + data analysis.

At the moment I'm inclined to go for the Asus-Z170 + i5-6600K

What do you guys think? Any input is appreciated

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[harharhar]

Why change a z77 board? It should be under warranty. You not gonna see any big improvement moving to skylake. Not unless you are into m.2 and other kinds of board improvements.

I bought it in June or July 2012, so I think the warranty is expired? I thought of just replacing the motherboard, but I can't seem to find anywhere selling 7-series MB. Not even the marketplace...

 

[royfrosty]

I bought it in June or July 2012, so I think the warranty is expired? I thought of just replacing the motherboard, but I can't seem to find anywhere selling 7-series MB. Not even the marketplace...

All boards have a warranty period of up to 3 years unless stated.

If you really want just grab a z77 board. Theres a few stores selling it.

 

[watzup_ken]

If your mobo is still under warranty, just go get it fixed. Ivy Bridge is still a very capable CPU.

Otherwise, I think an Intel i5 6500 with an Asrock Z170M-ITX will be good enough.

 

[nexusRAGER]

If your mobo is still under warranty, just go get it fixed. Ivy Bridge is still a very capable CPU.

Otherwise, I think an Intel i5 6500 with an Asrock Z170M-ITX will be good enough.

don't need a Z170 chipset board bah

 

[watzup_ken]

don't need a Z170 chipset board bah

I don't disagree since the 6500 cannot be overclocked at this point. For me, I think its a good deal cause its one of the cheaper mobo without all the fluff.

 

[harharhar]

If your mobo is still under warranty, just go get it fixed. Ivy Bridge is still a very capable CPU.

Otherwise, I think an Intel i5 6500 with an Asrock Z170M-ITX will be good enough.

I think no more warranty... And might as well, probably it's a good time to move to ITX size to save space

Just hopefully can sell of all the old working parts to get back some funds

 

[gamma15]

Hi...

I planned to assemble an ITX too...

Mind to share which Mobo is good? was looking at Asrock H170 too...
But looking for other options...

 

[nexusRAGER]

Hi...

I planned to assemble an ITX too...

Mind to share which Mobo is good? was looking at Asrock H170 too...
But looking for other options...

B150m Mortar also Itx

 

[ahwei91]

B150m Mortar also Itx

really har ????

 

[gamma15]

i just come across...

Asrock H170M Pro4...suit my case... guess i'm getting that...

Updates:
Asus H170M PLUS... looks great too

 

[harharhar]

B150m Mortar also Itx

Isn't that M-ATX?

 

[harharhar]

Hi...

I planned to assemble an ITX too...

Mind to share which Mobo is good? was looking at Asrock H170 too...
But looking for other options...

In my research, I think the two things that I am considering are the two I listed:
Asus Z170i
Gigabyte H170N

AsRock as Z170 and H170 mini-itx as well, but the H170 price is not much cheaper than the Gigabyte one so I'd pick the Gigabyte one. As for the AsRock Z170... I think it's (almost) identical board as the AsRock Z170 one just with a different chipset.

 

[gamma15]

In my research, I think the two things that I am considering are the two I listed:
Asus Z170i
Gigabyte H170N

AsRock as Z170 and H170 mini-itx as well, but the H170 price is not much cheaper than the Gigabyte one so I'd pick the Gigabyte one. As for the AsRock Z170... I think it's (almost) identical board as the AsRock Z170 one just with a different chipset.

Yea...agree with you... Gigabyte H170N-WIFI turn out to be better spec than Asrock...

Now in dilemma whether to stick with ITX or mATX... for more option and cheaper...

 

[harharhar]

Yea...agree with you... Gigabyte H170N-WIFI turn out to be better spec than Asrock...

Now in dilemma whether to stick with ITX or mATX... for more option and cheaper...

mATX is cheaper and you have more options with that, if you don't need the space saving.

I'm going with m-ITX this time for near-future downsizing.