Motherboard/CPU question

Mobo - MSI Z68A-G45 B3

CPU - Intel i5 3450

So I been attempting to build a computer for a week or so now. Going through TigerDirect, when all the parts came in I believed that i had recieved a faultly MoBo as when i tried to get it to post it gave 4 short beeps. After looking online at the code it said that it was a bad mobo. Lame. Oh well, I shipped it back and recieved another one that came just this afternoon. Do my external build again, and the same 4 beep code happened again. After trying diff ram, power supplies, and other combos I recieved the same error and decieded to call MSI tech support to see if there was anything I could do.

After talking to the guy for a while he suggested that my process was to new for the mobo and that it didn't have a current enough BIOS to support the CPU. He suggested to some how get an older CPU and then update the BIOS after that and that it would "hopefully" fix the problem. Well I don't want to go through all that effort for a "hopefully."

Does anyone know if this correct and will fix my problem? If so, how/where can I get this done? I dont have an older CPU just lying around and I dont know what store I could go to that could do this without costing me an extremely unreasonable amount.

Fast responses would be so appreciated as I've been waiting for this mobo forever. Thanks in advance.

ive never heard of the i5 3450. Also I not sure if the ivy bridge cpus work on the older sandy bridge motherboards. I have a sandy bridge cpu working on an ivy bridge z77 mobo perfectly so no problems there, which is the reverse situation of you. You can always return the z68 motherboard and get an ivybridge capable motherboard with the z77 chipset, the prices are pretty similar anyways. Or if that doesnt work return the cpu and get a sandy bridge i5 2500k which will work perfectly on the z68 you have.

the speil says the mobo supports LGA1155, it doesnt say it wont support this specific cpu, so rma the mobo back to where you brought it and change it for another one which will support it. or rma the cpu and change it for a 2500k

Yeah this mobo is $85 after rebate, and the cheapest z77 that is SLI ready was like $160 ish. Would there be any decrease in speed from the 3450 to the 2500k?

Yeah this mobo is $85 after rebate, and the cheapest z77 that is SLI ready was like $160 ish. Would there be any decrease in speed from the 3450 to the 2500k?

SportsFanatic10

Not all (not sure if any) Z68 boards natively support Ivy Bridge CPUs, this really is something you should have been aware of when your ordered your parts. Did you have anyone check over your list? Are you able to boot into the BIOS without a CPU installed?C_Rule

Yeah i did, he believed that they should have been compatible since we also googled if they would work together and it appeared on compatible CPU lists for the mobo.

[QUOTE="SportsFanatic10"]

Yeah this mobo is $85 after rebate, and the cheapest z77 that is SLI ready was like $160 ish. Would there be any decrease in speed from the 3450 to the 2500k?

C_Rule

Yeah? I'm starting to lean towards getting the 2500k. Would I be able to return the 3450 cpu (cleaned of heat sink) to tigerdirect and then get the 2500k. And then purchases the 2500k again from a local place so I could have it now and then return the one I get from tiger to the local place? Is that plausible/legal? Cuz I really didn't want to have to wait any longer

EDIT: It was hard to understand so i fixed it

first find out what tiger directs return policy is on opened cpus. they might have a restocking fee or they might not. if they don't then go ahead and purchase the 2500k locally and return the I5 3450 and wait for a refund.

first find out what tiger directs return policy is on opened cpus. they might have a restocking fee or they might not. if they don't then go ahead and purchase the 2500k locally and return the I5 3450 and wait for a refund.

I will definitely look into that restocking fee.

A couple add on questions though. I dont want to return the CPU's if the mobo really is bad. I mean what are the chances that both these mobos came in bad? Would it be worth it to even get the 2500k to find out?

Second, what are the differences between the 3450 and the 2500k? Why would the 2500k be faster?

The thing needs to be flashed to a newer bios, but I dont think you can do that without a sandy or chip that works with older bios.

Id exchange it for a z77 they are better anyway.

The 3450 is a lower clocked variant stripped from overclocking capabilities of the ivys. While your at it get a 2500k sandy or better yet 3570k ivy comes with pcie 3 support, K indicates unlock multiplier for ocing.