Motherboard's CPU Compatability

off wave surfer · July 9, 2016

While planning my PC build I've noticed the motherboard I've selected, an MSI B85M-E45 (I know its not great but I wanted something cheap) doesn't list the CPU I'm after (4690k) as being

compatible but does list every other 4690 skew as well as a number of other 'k' suffixed processors, does anyone know if it simply out right wont post if I use this CPU/Motherboard combination or is it just a misconception or error/typo on the MSI site?

Any and all help as well as info is greatly appreciated, thanking all who reply in advance.

Wouterrinos · July 9, 2016

6 minutes ago, off wave surfer said:

While planning my PC build I've noticed the motherboard I've selected, an MSI B85M-E45 (I know its not great but I wanted something cheap) doesn't list the CPU I'm after (4690k) as being

compatible but does list every other 4690 skew as well as a number of other 'k' suffixed processors, does anyone know if it simply out right wont post if I use this CPU/Motherboard combination or is it just a misconception or error/typo on the MSI site?

Any and all help as well as info is greatly appreciated, thanking all who reply in advance.

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/cz4c7P

It should be compatible.

Though it would be stupid to have a k-series CPU without a overclocking mbo.

Try getting a z97 mbo. Something like the MSI gaming 5 Z97.

And if you're going to overclock, please get an aftermarket CPU cooler as well. A hyper 212 will do.

off wave surfer · July 9, 2016

6 minutes ago, Wouterrinos said:

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/cz4c7P

It should be compatible.

Though it would be stupid to have a k-series CPU without a overclocking mbo.

Try getting a z97 mbo. Something like the MSI gaming 5 Z97.

And if you're going to overclock, please get an aftermarket CPU cooler as well. A hyper 212 will do.

Thanks for the advice, I'm aware it doesn't make sense to get a k series CPU and not get say a Z series motherboard but I'm after keeping my initial build as cheap as possible with a capable CPU as I'm more than happy to upgrade the motherboard in the future And funny you should mention the Hyper 212 I was just look at how much they cost

Quaker · July 9, 2016

The B85 motherboard is compatible with the 4690K. It's not listed because the board is not designed for overclocking. There's no electrical or TDP difference between a 4690 and a 4690K at stock clock.

As far as upgrading the motherboard in the future goes, I think you need to consider what the likely time frame on that is. The 4690 is already one gen behind Skylake, and in a year or 2 it could be even farther behind. So, if you are thinking you might upgrade the mobo in a year or two, you might be better off to just get a non-K 4690 or 4670 now, and plan on getting a newer processor plus motherboard later.