new ram and processor - Hardware & Software

i have this motherboard [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131712[/url] im wondering what would be a good choice for ram (going from 6 currently to 8 or possibly 16 depending on price) also looking to upgrade my processor [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078[/url] ^^ current ^^ is there a better processor out there that's relatively current (or cheap) would fit my current motherboard? I was told to use this motherboard because it was "compatible with the new chipset" but honestly i have no idea what that means. any helped would be appresh. thanx [editline]25th May 2013[/editline] what I'm really looking for is "what are my options". Can i just throw in any cpu with the same socket type? idk how it works [editline]25th May 2013[/editline] also what would be the best processor in the 150-250 range (broad, I know)

That mobo will accept any i3-5-7 processor that's Sandy or Ivy bridge. You'd be pretty well off with an i5-3570K. However, you should be aware that in a few weeks, the new Haswell line is being released with lots of improvements, but a new socket.

[QUOTE=Naaz;40778300]That mobo will accept any i3-5-7 processor that's Sandy or Ivy bridge. You'd be pretty well off with an i5-3570K. However, you should be aware that in a few weeks, the new Haswell line is being released with lots of improvements, but a new socket.[/QUOTE] it might need a BIOS update though, so if you haven't done that recently then make sure you do so you can support Ivy Bridge processors [editline]25th May 2013[/editline] and also don't get a 3570k because you wouldn't be able to overclock it anyways, just go for the regular i5-3570

i never overclock anyway. also I don't know to update my bios lol (i'll figure it out though). are you saying that if I don't my motherboard may not support ivy bridge? what's the diff between ivy and sandy? ivy is newer? [editline]25th May 2013[/editline] i updated it anyway. I assume as far as haswell is concerned it wouldn't be worth swapping out my motherboard for. also, anything for the ram?

Corsair vengeance LP, Kingston hyperX, g.skill ares or g.skill sniper just to name a few off the top of my head.

[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;40778902]and also don't get a 3570k because you wouldn't be able to overclock it anyways, just go for the regular i5-3570[/QUOTE] It doesn't make sense to get the 3570 over the 3570k because the price difference is less than $10. Right now on Newegg the regular 3570 is actually more expensive than the 3570k.

so should i care about the ivy bridge sandy bridge thing? I still don't know what that means. Also, i'll check those sets out, I was just wondering if there was any one set in particular anybody could recommend/had a particular good price on. [editline]25th May 2013[/editline] thanks for the help everyone, btw

[QUOTE=GiGaBiTe;40783953]It doesn't make sense to get the 3570 over the 3570k because the price difference is less than $10. Right now on Newegg the regular 3570 is actually more expensive than the 3570k.[/QUOTE] how does it make sense to pay $10 more for a feature that his chipset doesn't support? and I forgot the 3570k was on sale right now but in any other situation it's literally just throwing away $10.

[QUOTE=Vedicardi;40784445]so should i care about the ivy bridge sandy bridge thing? I still don't know what that means. Also, i'll check those sets out, I was just wondering if there was any one set in particular anybody could recommend/had a particular good price on.[/QUOTE] Ivy Bridge is the successor to Sandy Bridge. It uses a smaller production process (22nm vs 32nm), draws less power (77W vs 95W) and is more efficient (performs better.) [QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;40784477]how does it make sense to pay $10 more for a feature that his chipset doesn't support? and I forgot the 3570k was on sale right now but in any other situation it's literally just throwing away $10.[/QUOTE] I'd rather spend the extra $10 for an unlocked processor vs. a locked one, even if my current motherboard didn't support the feature. That way, down the road if I ever decided to swap out the motherboard down the road (found a better one for free/dirt cheap, current board died, etc.) I wouldn't be going "damnit, I should have spent that extra $10 back then to have an unlocked CPU that my new board supports." Just my 2¢ I've had plenty of experiences like this in the past where people gave me free stuff that would have worked better if I had spent that extra bit months/years before.

Corsair XMS3 is a great buy, have a set. No regrets.

[QUOTE=GiGaBiTe;40784658]Ivy Bridge is the successor to Sandy Bridge. It uses a smaller production process (22nm vs 32nm), draws less power (77W vs 95W) and is more efficient (performs better.) I'd rather spend the extra $10 for an unlocked processor vs. a locked one, even if my current motherboard didn't support the feature. That way, down the road if I ever decided to swap out the motherboard down the road (found a better one for free/dirt cheap, current board died, etc.) I wouldn't be going "damnit, I should have spent that extra $10 back then to have an unlocked CPU that my new board supports." Just my 2¢ I've had plenty of experiences like this in the past where people gave me free stuff that would have worked better if I had spent that extra bit months/years before.[/QUOTE] ah cool, I'll look for ivy bridge in that case. So the consensus is get the 3570k to be safe + its on sale?

[QUOTE=Vedicardi;40794039]ah cool, I'll look for ivy bridge in that case. So the consensus is get the 3570k to be safe + its on sale?[/QUOTE] the 3570k is always good. Just a note intells new i5-4670k is going to be realeased within 2 weeks. Its umoured to be around the same price. You can expect the movo's for it to be a bit more expensive tough, due to the new sockets.

yeah im not planning on buying a new mobo. or do you think it would be worth it?

[QUOTE=Vedicardi;40805831]yeah im not planning on buying a new mobo. or do you think it would be worth it?[/QUOTE] Meh, Kinda depends on what you want to spend. Haswell is rumoured to be 7-15% faster and use a shitload less power on idle and a bit less under load. So it kinda pays for itself after a while, if you pay for electricity bills. Just make sure you know that the 1155 socket is at its end. And next time buy a normal form factor (ATX) motherboard if you can.

good to know. thanks!