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Gigabyte Z68 or Asrock z68

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Motherboards Gigabyte Z68 or Asrock z68

Tyan

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Hello, I am currently in the process of building a new somewhat budget gaming computer, and I cannot decide between these two mobos.

Gigabyte : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] Knk9qedQhw

Asrock : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 38566&SID=

The Asrock is 40-50 dollars more expensive ( I think I have a 10$ off promo for that Gigabyte mobo somewhere ), But I wanted to know what you guys thought of these boards. I've read reviews that seem to go both ways, and I don't really know what to think or which to buy. Is the Asrock a better performing mobo? Or is the difference in performance too miniscule to pay 40-50 extra dollars.

On top of this, what brand/speed of RAM should I buy? I know I am getting 8 GB, but someone on these forums told me that the lower the RAM ( 1333 > 1600 ) is better, or even if I should get RAM that is overclockable. Trying to save money, but keep a good performance.

Current Build:

i5 2500k
8gb RAM
XFX 6950 or XFX 6970
750W PSU
Rosewill Challenger U3
MOBO

Reply to hedshotx

Both are good boards. Buy the cheapest.
Ram buy this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820233196 is at 1600Mhz and 1.5V. Just go in BIOS and set XMP profile and it will run automatic at 1600Mhz , the voltage keep at 1.5V.
Buy this 6950 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127604 or the same 6970 from MSI it have better cooling , overclocked from factory.

Message edited by sosofm on 02-03-2012 at 08:25:28 AM

------------------------------ i7 2600 , AsRock P67 Extreme 6 ,2x4GB Corsair Vengeance 1600 , MSI 6950 2GB , HDD WD 640 AAKS , Corsair 620HX 620W , CPU cooler Zalman CNPS10X Performa , CoolerMaster 912, Philips Led 22"
Reply to sosofm

Regardless of price, I would pick Gigabyte or ASUS over any other brand motherboard.

------------------------------ The power supply is the most important component in any computer. Without a good quality one, you usually wind up with a really expensive door stop.
Reply to tlmck

In this case I would do exactly what sosofm posted. Same board+the RAM.

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

Read the review @ http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/m [...] 3-review/7

For the price, its a steal.

Message edited by Nikorr on 02-03-2012 at 11:00:31 AM

Reply to Nikorr

Gotcha. Motherboards have always been a really confusing piece of hardware for me, and I don't really get what makes the higher quality boards "better" per say. In a nut shell, can you guys answer this for me? Will the Asrock run faster, such as giving me more fps in games? My goal with this computer is to buy a rig that can run BF3 on ultra for as cheap as possible. Anti-aliasing not really included, 2x or so would be nice though . Will the gigabyte allow me to crossfire GPUs by the way? I know it has 2xpci16, but I've heard that some gpus that are larger cover up both of them.

As for the memory, these are the ones that have been suggested in the past:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231428

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220569

Also sosofm, being almost 1/3 of the price that I'm spending, I'm trying to buy from XFX so that I have a lifetime warranty on my GPU xD. I do like MSI's cards, especially their twinfrozr line, but the 2 year warranty really scares me

Message edited by hedshotx on 02-03-2012 at 06:56:13 PM

Reply to hedshotx

Z68 Express round
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2939.html

Message quoted 1 times

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http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/2072561.png

Reply to ilysaml

Sorry but I think those boards in that round up are a bit out of my ball park! $122 for the asrock extreme3 was about my max for the mobo, I was just looking to cut the price a bit so I could spend the money else where by considering the mobo. Speaking of the gigabyte, I was looking at pictures of it and on the board it says DX 10.1. Does this board not support directX 11 or is it referring to something else?

Reply to hedshotx

aha, i just saw the title and threw the link, didn't know you're limited by the budget.

------------------------------

Reply to ilysaml

Mhm, feel free to give opinon though!

Reply to hedshotx

ilysaml wrote :

Z68 Express round
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2939.html

Tom's should use these for 6 months to a year and see which one(s) are still running.

------------------------------ The power supply is the most important component in any computer. Without a good quality one, you usually wind up with a really expensive door stop.
Reply to tlmck

one note:
the ASRock has LGA 775 holes as well for CPU cooling so the options in cooling with the ASRock board are greater.
let that not be the determining factor, just bringing it to your attention.

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

I'm not planning on using any aftermarket cooling with the CPU, not off the bat at least, or are those holes useful with stock cooling?

Also does anyone know what that DX 10.1 thing is about on the Gigabyte board? I'm worried it isn't dx11 compatible or something.

So my main question for you guys is this: Will the Asrock provide much of a difference in the realm of gaming for me that it would warrant spending extra money on it? Or can I save 50$ by getting the gigabyte board, and still be able to play BF3 on ultra (or close to that).

Reply to hedshotx

the holes will be useful and also the regular 1155 holes are there as well.
the processor in conjunction with the motherboard will run DX 10.1 without the dedicated GPU (graphics card)
but when you get a dedicated GPU depending on which model but if recent then it will be DX 11 compatible.
so do not worry about those things, your covered.

Message edited by malmental on 02-04-2012 at 12:53:55 AM

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

FYI
I also run a GIGABYTE Z68 board..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

Alright, thanks much for clearing that up malmental. Can you give your opinion on the latter half of my last post?

"So my main question for you guys is this: Will the Asrock provide much of a difference in the realm of gaming for me that it would warrant spending extra money on it? Or can I save 50$ by getting the gigabyte board, and still be able to play BF3 on ultra (or close to that)."

Reply to hedshotx

the CPU, RAM and the (GPU) determine how well to play BF3.
motherboard even though holds the hardware and ties it all together, it has not that much factor in determining what you ask.
from your specs it looks like your good...

that GIGABYTE board is only CF-X only and not SLi so if running dual GPU's one day then it will have to be HD Radeon..
te ASRock has both SLi and CF-X in case you go nVidia one day.

Message edited by malmental on 02-04-2012 at 01:03:34 AM

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

What would you suggest? You think the asrock is worth the extra money for future upgradability? I've also heard that the asrock will support ivy when those cpu's come out.

Message edited by hedshotx on 02-04-2012 at 01:29:59 AM

Reply to hedshotx

both will support Ivy...
but I'd pick the ASRock out of those two..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

a few extra dollars and this would be perfect in this case.:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128502

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

Haha, I was hoping 122 would be max for me! I guess I'll leave this for last in deciding which to buy. If I have extra cash left over I'll go for the Asrock.

Would you mind shedding some light on what RAM to get? I've been told that G. Skill makes good Ram for gaming and is easily overclockable and I found these :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231428

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220569

Someone earlier in this thread suggested Corsair Vengeance

Reply to hedshotx

4GB or 8GB kit.?
(you links are not working)

here and it's XMP profiled:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145315
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231416

Message edited by malmental on 02-04-2012 at 02:05:51 AM

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

This one will give little more speed for couple $ more..

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820233196

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

yep, I linked DDR3 1600MHz as well.
just set it to XMP and that's all the clocking you need to do on the RAM.

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

Check my first post after the OP, can't get them to copy right . Let me know if any of those are better, especially the cheaper one

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to hedshotx

hedshotx wrote :

Check my first post after the OP, can't get them to copy right . Let me know if any of those are better, especially the cheaper one

just about the same...
so get the cheaper.

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

hedshotx wrote :

Check my first post after the OP, can't get them to copy right . Let me know if any of those are better, especially the cheaper one

If u want to copy the links from the post, use the BBCode.

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

malmental: will those cheaper ones be able to OC at all like the ones you posted? or will they overheat or something?

Reply to hedshotx

it's all good, all have heat spreaders and the same specs.
with the case and the case fans, it will all be the same.
heck, all are actually the same price or just about, maybe $2 difference.

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

Mmk. And then for these, I know they say 1333, but someone said in the BIOS I can clock them at 1600? Is that right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] efypkn4i96

Reply to hedshotx

right, I have been saying that or have said that already..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

Sorry! Just didn't want to make a mistake thinking otherwise. Is it very strenuous on the RAM to overclock them to 1600. I can just buy retail 1600 if so.

Reply to hedshotx

yes, XMP profile / DDR3 1600MHz / 9-9-9-24 / 1.5v will work just fine.
trust me..

Message edited by malmental on 02-04-2012 at 06:03:43 AM

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

XMP is supported in those z68 motherboards as well right?

Reply to hedshotx

So what mobo are u gonna get?

Reply to Nikorr

Not totally there yet nikorr xD. Still ordering some of the last pieces of the puzzle like the PSU and GPU, after that I'm gonna see how much I'm OVERBUDGET . If it isn't bad, I might just bite the bullet and get the asrock. Chances are I will stick with the gigabyte though. Just makes me sad I won't be able to SLI nvidia gpus . Can you answer me about the XMP profiling question?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to hedshotx

hedshotx wrote :

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

GA-Z68AP-D3 - Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules

Reply to Nikorr

You guys are the bomb. I'll let you all know what I decide when I buy them! Probably be this weekend since the cpu case and monitor all came in and I don't want them sitting around unused .

Thanks again all of you.

Reply to hedshotx

With Gigabyte u will get free Norton Internet Security (OEM version) : )

Reply to Nikorr

ASRock has 2yrs warranty

Gigabyte has 3yrs warranty

Reply to Nikorr

Where did you see the bit about the Norton free OEM version? You seem like you are trying to persuade me to go with the cheaper board .

Also I thought it was general consensus not to use Norton

Reply to hedshotx

For last 2 years Norton is great.

Look under Bundle Software
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/p [...] id=4015#sp

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

So you think I should go with gigabyte mobo I take it?

Reply to hedshotx

I like Gigabyte, but ASRock is ASUS, I like ASUS too.

But the price is great and u are on the budget, it will allow u to get better PSU.

Its hard to stay on the budget, but u decide on what u want to afford.

It would be bad if u would be deciding on poor parts, but here u were advised to get just decent parts, from what I could see, so that is good.

Remember, mobo + PSU are the most important parts for the stability of the system.

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

I'm getting a pretty decent OCZ 750W PSU that was recommended on a Toms sticky somewhere around here . You think that the gigabyte mobo is just decent though compared to the asrock?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to hedshotx

hedshotx wrote :

I'm getting a pretty decent OCZ 750W PSU that was recommended on a Toms sticky somewhere around here . You think that the gigabyte mobo is just decent though compared to the asrock?

PSU price is?

Read this review...
http://www.hardwarelook.com/review [...] 25_12.html

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr

Oh, so you mean the gigabyte isn't as good as the asrock. Do you think the gigabyte is mediocre in general though?

Also, PSU price is onsale from 110 to $100, then has a 25 dollar rebate, and you also get a 20 dollar new egg gift card that I can use for other parts

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341049

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by hedshotx on 02-04-2012 at 08:44:42 AM

Reply to hedshotx

hedshotx wrote :

Sounds like great deal on the PSU.

IMHO, if they both would cost the same, $120 I'd go for the ASRock because the board is modern and has a great reviews.

I would go for the Gigabyte because it is a solid board and proven brand. And it has price, that is much better than the ASRock.

So I would go for the boards, for different reasons. They are both good.

------------------------------ Where there's smoke, there's fire...

Reply to Nikorr