Converting to Intel

[TheModMonster]

I was thinking about it and I MAY convert to Intel if the switch will be reasonable. What is the best Intel Core i5 and Motherboard I can get for a reasonable price. I can fork up around $260 (I hope not to spend all of that). I wan't a CPU that will noticably better than AMD FX 6350 because I do not want to change just for a different brand name. The Motherboard will have to be BLACK or DARK GREY. IF YOU CAN, GET BLACK AND GREEN. It must be able to Overclock well with the Hyper Evo 212. (must have good VRMs). It must have atleast 2way SLI. MUST fit Corsair 300R. Yeah so there you go. Please ask questions.  

[TheMastr13]

i think the processor alone will cost that...

[TheMastr13]

what country do you live in?

[ForsakenLive]

The OC-able i5 you should look at is the 4690k, but it's going to run you out a bit more than expected. The CPU alone is around $230, and you will want $100 or more on the motherboard. Overall you should be in the $350 price range for both parts.

[TheModMonster]

United States of America

[TheMastr13]

United States of America

'murica

 

here ya go:

 

processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117372&cm_re=4690k-_-19-117-372-_-Product

 

mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128715&cm_re=z97-_-13-128-715-_-Product

[TheModMonster]

Srsly? That is expensive. I don't need a 4670k. I don't need OC if that costs to much.

[TheMastr13]

Srsly? That is expensive. I don't need a 4670k. I don't need OC if that costs to much.

then go for something like this:

 

Processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117302&cm_re=4460-_-19-117-302-_-Product

 

Mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128770

[niofalpha]

An i3 will be noticeably better than the 6350, however it can't overclock.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sLYgHx

 

Color may be a bit off, looked grey to me.

 

You could save a bit of cash by not getting an Overclock ready board, and a lower end Locked i5 (4440). <<<< Recommend doing for a price drop form minimal performance changes

[Maheshvara]

For 260$ an OC capable CPU and SLI certified Z Mobo No freaking way!

 

At that price range, you're looking at i5 4460 + AsRock Z97 Anniversary (doesn't have SLI), and you still might b slightly over your budget... You can lower it by going with an H97 Mobo

[TheMastr13]

you cant get a motherboard that supports sli and a 4460 for that much

[TheModMonster]

THATS IS WHY I LIKE AMD

 

I don't want the best i5

[kmanchine]

How about i5 4440 and z97 pc mate you can get for 250. No oc but still you should get better perfomance

Edit:scratch this did not see sli

[Faceman]

@TheModMonster

 

Do you live near a Microcenter?  If yes, then an i5-4690k + ASRock Pro4 motherboard for $250 is a freaking steal.

 

If not, then you will have to be ok with no overclocking, for now, not that you need to anyways with Intel.  An i5-4440 which is the lowest end i5 is better than an FX9 overclocked to 5.0Ghz. in all games.

 

Overclockable on Intel means it is an unlocked or "k" chip.  If it doesn't have "k" at the end of it, then it is not overclockable.  You also need a Z series motherboard.  Then to add to the confusion even more, there is Haswell and Haswell refresh(Devil's Canyon).  You need to identify which processor type you are getting, because not all motherboards are compatible out of the box with Haswell Refresh.  Haswell motherboards are mobos that have "8" in the name.  H81/B85/H87/Z87.  These motherboards cannot support Devil's Canyon processor out of the box without a BIOS update, and in order to even do that BIOS update, you need a Haswell processor.  I know, it sucks.  So if you are going to buy a Haswell Refresh processor, you need a "9" series motherboard.  H97 or Z97.  Ask first before pulling the trigger that way we can double check and make sure what you are buying is compatible.  Anything I recommend will be vetted and compatible.

 

VRM doesn't matter on Intel, unless you are going for world records and the like.  This is because voltage regulation is done on the processor, not on the motherboard.  You will get the same OC on a "low end" Z series motherboard as a "high end" Z series motherboard.  It all comes down to silicon lottery and how good of a chip you get.

 

Unfortunately it is going to be very unlikely to get a color combination that you like unless you are willing to spend more money on a motherboard.

 

Assuming you don't live near a Microcenter, this is the low end:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FKCwK8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FKCwK8/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-GAMING 3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $211.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 18:49 EDT-0400

 

This is excellent performance while remaining upgrade ready.  It is better than anything AMD has to offer, while consuming less power and not bottlenecking high end GPUs.  You also have an upgrade path because you will be able to update the BIOS.  The CPU and motherboard are both Haswell.  What you should do if you get this combo is to update the BIOS to the newest version.  This will allow forward compatibility with Haswell Refresh, which means you could drop in an i7-4790k if you wanted, but it wouldn't be overclockable.  At least you have the option of an upgrade, and its not like you need to overclock that i7 anyways.  There is no SLI with this option.

 

This is mid-range, and might actually be your best option because it offers a clear upgrade path to overclocking in the future if you want.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Nfwh99
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Nfwh99/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A (NFC Express Edition) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $224.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 19:01 EDT-0400

 

With this combination, you get a locked i5 processor, but with a mid to high end Z87 series motherboard.  You will be able to update the BIOS on this motherboard to make it forward compatible with Devil's Canyon(i5-4690k/i7-4790k) if you want to upgrade in the future.  This is also a pretty good motherboard.  I had the Asus Z87-A for awhile, fantastic motherboard, great features, including SLI, and arguably the easiest to use BIOS.  Not to mention some excellent included software.

 

If you are looking for performance and future upgradability, this is your best option while remaining in budget.

 

Best case scenario:

 

You live near a Microcenter and can purchase an i5-4690k + ASRock Z97 Pro4(no-SLI) for $250 in-store.  If you need SLI, then there are SLI capable Z97 motherboards for around $275-$290 in-store.  If not, then you will end up spending closer to $300 to get an unlocked and overclockable i5, but with no SLI.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Hckgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Hckgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($231.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $304.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 19:06 EDT-0400

 

There is no SLI with this option.

 

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I think the mid-range option gives you closest to what you want.