I'm looking at going from AMD to Intel, and the issue now is that it's hard to find a 2500K anymore.

Im looking at the 3570K instead ,but I don't like the sound of the temperatures that they seem to get up to. I like a cool CPU, and plan to do a moderate overclock up to 4.0

The 2500K seems like the perfect bang for buck Gaming CPU to me, and I can find one if I look hard.

Question is, should I keep hunting for the old CPU or is the 3570K still a good choice.

Integrated graphics of the 3570K doesn't seem to be a bonus because I've got a good card.

Also, is there any difficulty getting the mobo/socket needed for the 2500K these days ?

Opinions?

Well to get the i5 2500k I guess would depend on where you are located..If you are in the USA, NewEgg still has the 2500k and about 200 different mobos for that socket (1155).

I would well unless you MUST have the latest and greatest go with an i5 1155 socket setup.. Greap PC and I have one and anything I thrown at it I have mostly maxxed graphics settings and it runs real good.. I also run 3 monitors so it works well..

There are little gains over going with the latest IB vs SB right now perhaps the nect gen will fair a bit better.. even the 3.0 PCIx doesnt gain much over the 2,0 slots..

IvyBridge from what I have been told has a TIM issue under the heat-spreader causing high Temps.

I just ordered a 2500k a few weeks ago and I went through the same process you are going through. I didn't know if I should get the IB or SB. I'm happy with the sandy and I haven't even O/C'ed it yet and it still eats my games like a fat kid eating cake! I'm in the US and I ordered my parts through newegg.com, I love that place!

So all that just tipped the scales. I'm going 2500K

Any tips on a good bang for buck 1155 socket mobo ? I usually go for the second least expensive one

I've been very happy with my Asus Z68 (overclocked with minimal fuss), but also heard good things about the Asrock as well.

This is the board I just bought ASUS P8Z77-V LE for $160. So far I like it, it's my first Asus board. Lots of features and the layout is good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131823

OK I have good availability for both the P8Z68 and the P8Z77.

I'll just need to look at which model suits best; M , V , deluxe premium, pro

I have to admit I'm pretty tribal in favour of ASUS. I'll go for one of them. No need to O/C over 4.0 for games so my guess is that any of these boards are going to do the trick

It might just come down to wi-fi included because I need that.

I got my 2500K about 8 weeks after they hit when Microcenter first put them out for $189.00 without having to get a mobo. Slapped it in my P67 MSI board & the sucker will hit 4.2Ghz without voltage bump & 4.9ghz @ 1.35 volts. Temps never go above 50c with Coolermaster Hyper 212 whether at 4.2 or 4.9. I highly recommend this CPU.

SlackAdjuster

After about 2 weeks, I'm finally going to be able to test my new system out. Friday night the wife having a girls night (dinner and movies) that means I'll be flying BMS/DCS and possibly playing Arma II. I'll check my FPS, since I haven't O/C'ed my 2500k yet, it's still at stock speeds 3.3Ghz.