Just to add:
Intel i5 Processors (Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge?)
When it comes to Intels i5 processors, you have 2 flavours to consider:
:: Sandy Bridge (SB) - such as the
2500k (@3.3Ghz)
:: Ivy bridge (IB) - such as the
3570k (@3.4Ghz)
The latest version of i5 processors are the Ivy Bridge processors (released in April 2012). A table comparing the features of these 2 i5 CPUs can found at:
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/cpu/38421 ... vy-bridge/
The most noticeable benefits of the Ivy Bridge processor is:
lower power consumption, higher speed, smaller die, faster IGP, higher RAM speeds.
So, if you're going down the i5 route I'd consider getting a newer Ivy Bridge processor such as the i5 3570k.
Intel Chipsets
Prior to the Ivy Bridge processors being launched the latest Intel chipset was the
Z68. Now, the latest Intel chipset is the
Z77.
The Z77 supports both the older Sandy Bridge and newer Ivy Bridge CPUs. That said, so will most of the Z68 motherboards with a BIOS update!
Ideally, the newer Ivy Bridge i5 processors should be paired with Intels latest Z77 chipset. The Z77 chipset, whilst similar to the Z68 chipset, has several improvements which can be found at:
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/mainboard ... therboard/
Do you really need to Overclock?
Overclocking increases the chance of reducing the lifetime of components. Something to consider is do you really need to overclock?
I personally DONT overclock my PC, and it can run every game I own at max settings, though sometimes I dont do that for MP games to give me more FPS. Rather than buying an already overclocked bundle, you could buy an OEM setup and see how it performs, and then if your not happy look into overclocking it.
As an example:
For £255.42 (inc vat) you could get an Intel i5 3570k (@3.4Ghz) with a
Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H motherboard (mid-range mobo) from
eBuyer. You will then need to get memory on top of that, but this motherboard supports Intels Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) RAM modules -
Memory Support List (I'd recommend Corsair).
Overclockers do a bundle on this
CPU/Motherboard for £360 inc vat, the difference being this is overclocked to 4.2Ghz and comes with 4GB Kingston RAM and a 3rd party cooler to replace the boxed retail one.
AWD-IT also do a bundle on this
CPU/Mobo for £299.99 inc vat (
never shopped there though!) - and thats clocked at 4.4Ghz and you can double the RAM from 4gb to 8gb for an extra £13 !!! (and its Corsair RAM).
What do you need from your motherboard?
Something else to consider is what features you need from your motherboard. How many USB slots do you need? ...do you need onboard audio? ...do you need dual-lan? ...eSata? ...etc etc.