Recommended motherboard for OCing i5 6600

Bob Rooney

Hi folks,

I'm looking at motherboards and i'm torn between the slightly cheaper h170 series and the z170 series for my new build. I don't intend on OCing any time soon (and maybe never) but I've read that it is possible to overclock the i5 6600 (not the K version). What kind of performance increase would I expect to get? Also, do is a z170 mobo required to OC the GPU as well?

I'm currently thinking of going for either MSI Z170A PC MATE (€106) or the Gigabyte GA-Z170-Z170 Intel HD3P So.1151 Dual (€111) but as I'm not entirely sure that I will OC (possibly after the build begins to show its age) I might just be better off with a with a cheaper h170.

Digital Solitude

You can't OC the Non-K versions anymore

Edgarfrndly

I've an i5 6600K with an ASUS Z170-A, overclocked and stable @ 4.4ghz using a cooler master hyper 212. Temps are low. You can overclock them relatively safe to 4.6ghz, obviously depending on cooler and individual chip.

Not sure about the non-K versions though.

Digital Solitude

You can OC the GPU on any board, Intel removed the ability to OC on Non-K chips a week or two back.

The performance is negligible for gaming, by the time the stock speed is holding you back, an OC is only going to delay the upgrade a little longer. Almost never worth the price premium IMO, especially with the price of a board taken into account as well, whatever €50 odd you spend is better off in a GPU or case imo

Bob Rooney

Wow! Thanks. How did they remove the ability? Either way good to know.

What about OCing the GPU (GTX970). will I need a Z series mobo for that?

Bob Rooney

Wow! Thanks. How did they remove the ability? Either way good to know.

Bob Rooney

Wow! Thanks. How did they remove the ability? Either way good to know.

Well, I guess I can save a little money now.

Digital Solitude

Not sure tbh, threw some lawyers at it I imagine.

You don't need a Z series board to OC the 970

Edgarfrndly

Digital Solitude wrote: »

You can OC the GPU on any board, Intel removed the ability to OC on Non-K chips a week or two back.

The performance is negligible for gaming, by the time the stock speed is holding you back, an OC is only going to delay the upgrade a little longer. Almost never worth the price premium IMO, especially with the price of a board taken into account as well, whatever €50 odd you spend is better off in a GPU or case imo

That's simply untrue. You can look at any game benchmarks with a stock and overclocked skylake processor and see improved frames, particularly where there's heavy demand on the CPU for processing over the GPU.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhaB1dqYv_I

Digital Solitude

Edgarfrndly wrote: »

That's simply untrue. You can look at any game benchmarks with a stock and overclocked skylake processor and see improved frames, only where there's heavy demand on the CPU for processing over the GPU.

Fyp

Obviously there's a difference between them, more so at 980Ti level. For a GTX 970 or weaker, there is very little difference

Edit: Didn't watch the whole video but from GTAV and the Witcher in that video, an average of about 12 frames between them, with both being around 100 or around 60

Not enough to justify the hassle any money to push but to 100fps on a 60hz monitor..

ED E

Its only removed on boards with an updated firmware, if you purchase within the next week or two and dont do a BIOS update then you can OC away.