Z68 motherboard for core i5 2500K

Question by  z68 motherboard for core i5 2500K? I was looking for a LGA 2011 system with core i7 6 Core Sandy Bridge E, but seeing that they offer very little performance jump for a very high cost, I guess I should stick to the LGA 1155 for now with a core i5 2500K CPU and then go for the bang later this year or early next year when Ivy Bridge E or Haswell comes, I would then be courageous enough to sum out 500$  only for a motherboard, but till then I would like a computer that could keep me happy.

I would be buying a Crucial M4 128GB SSD, and maybe another half a dozen months later. I would be getting a Sata 6GB/s HDD so I would require somewhat 3-4 Sata III 6GB/s Ports. As far as Sata II is concerned, only thing that I would get would be a Blu Ray Drive. So I don't care about the Sata Ports, I would require in all 4 Ports and atleast 2 of them being Sata III ports, and would be better if more were sata III.

Then, most importantly I will never stick to a motherboard audio solution even if it is a Creative X-fi one. I have already decided on getting the Creative Recon3d Fatal1ty Professional Sound Card which is just around the corner for an early December relase. The Card runs on PCI Express. I don't know the bandwith yet but most probably x4 and at the most x8. I am choosing this Audio Card because I have a tritton ax pro headset capable of producing true 5.1 surround sound when paired with a good sound card, and since I am audiophile/gaming audio fan, I would just stick to the PCIe Card solution.

http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=872&product=20886&listby=usage

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Recon3D-Fatal1ty-SB1356/dp/B00654PTT2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322143537&sr=8-4

Then for a graphics Card, I will be getting a MSI GTX 560 or Asus GTX 560 Ti DCII graphics card, so I want a full PCIe X16 slot that could support this graphics card, and most probably no graphics card upgrade over this motherboard as I will be skipping the Ivy Bridge for a much better Ivy Bridge E/Haswell Enthusiast Edition Chips or even AMD and motherboards with the best of the best graphics cards, while I will use the SSD, Sound Card and maybe the HDD from this computer on the other one that I will buy by the end of next year or early of the other year.

And I may be using my current geforce 9600GT graphics card as Physx card.

So I would want a motherboard with 3 PCIe X16 Slots that could do x8 x8 x4 ( two for graphics one for sound ) or 2 PCIe x16 with an x16 graphics and a x8 for audio since Physx card is not a must. As Far as PCI and PCIe x1 are considered I wouldn't want any, and at the most one or two, well that could even be compensated by a USB 2.0 port as I would be going for cheap Wifi and TV tuner cards that could do just fine on USB 2.0 too.

As far as USB is considered, I would want atleast 2 USB 3.0 one to use permanently for HDD if I don't get a SATA HDD, but SSD is only on SATA III for sure. Then I might get the kinect or asus xtion ( xtion will release anytime soon or might take till end of q1 next year, it is unpredictable ) that I would have to pair with a USB port. Apart from that it won't be much of USB ports except for at the most 2 pen drives occassionally and connecting my Smart phone to transfer files or my cam, but those will be just minutes process so, much of USB ports would be free most of the time except for three, one for connecting my monitor webcam output, another that will be with HDD or TV tuner or Wifi card and the other with the motion sensing device.

And I am not so much in need of PCIe 3.0 as I won't be doing an Ivy Bridge for this PC nor pop in a PCIe 3.0 graphics card on this PC.

6 USB ports will be really more than enough and I will be contended with 4 provided atleast 2 of them are USB 3.0 and I lay more emphasis to USB 3.0. I would like a motherboard with built in wifi, but that's not the priority one as I could get one on USB or pci at a cheap cost anytime.

So I wind up my requirements 3 X16 slots @ x8 x8 x4 (or 2 X16 slots @ X16, x4 if 3 slots isn't necessary/possible). atleast 4 USB ports with atlast 2 USB 3.0 Ports either a couple of PCIe x1 or a USB port to compensate that. atleast 2 Sata III support and 3 could be welcomed and a total of 4 Sata Ports. I won't need anything more than 4. Wifi( optional ), No need of a good built in sound card as I am going to get a PCIe sound card for sure.

I have a Cooler Master HAF 912 Chassis, and would get a power supply according to the requirement.

What could be the best option for a Z68 motherboard? Any manufacturer is OK provided I have the things that I want.

Best answer Answer by Kevin I prefer MSI z68A-GD80 or Gigabyte as they were offering a great standards for their motherboards for us - gamers. You should try it, I know you will not regret about it. Asus is also good, though lately they make motherboards with several capabilities and slots. You have to choose well but I recommend on those two. check this site for MSI http://event.msi.com/mb/Z68/ and Gigabyte (several boards to choose) http://www.gigabyte.com/microsite/279/images/mb-z68-models.html

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! 2500K [l]