Looking for AM3+ Motherboard recommendations

[Tokthree]

Hello.

I'm currently suffering with an ASRock motherboard which arrived riddled with various problems that I'd rather forget about and I finally have the money available to replace it. I'm looking for a robust, reliable motherboard which won't let me down no matter how many long hours I spend gaming with it. I don't use SLI and I don't OC my components but I want both my music and games to sound as good as possible.

These might be somewhat naive requirements but honestly I don't know much about motherboards and what to look for in them, all I know is what I want and I've stated what I want from a motherboard above. I'll take as many suggestions as I can get and pick the one that seems like it's the safest bet. The only real requirement is that it must be an AM3+ motherboard as I can only afford to replace the motherboard and get another OEM copy of Windows 7 (or perhaps even Windows 8, I'll be looking into it while I wait), I cannot afford to wait until I can afford to upgrade to an i-Series processor as I am at my wits end with the problems my current motherboard is giving me.

Thanks for any and all replies I get, hopefully I'll have my answer before too long

 

[PandaBear270]

If you have the money go for one of these:

Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 --> Solid construction and features. Military looking
Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer --> Amazing built-in audio and isolated components.

Otherwise:

Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
MSI 990FXA-GD65
Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3
Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0
MSI 970A-G46

Do NOT get a AM3+ motherboard without heatsinks on the VRMs. The FX CPUs consume a lot of power.

 

[Tokthree]

Still taking suggestions.

 

[Tokthree]

I don't know if doing this is against the rules but I really need more suggestions, I want to make sure I get the best board possible

 

[PandaBear270]

The best for the price are the Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer and the Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P.

 

[junkeymonkey]

gigabyte ga 99ofxa ud3

$118 after rebate cant go wrong my buddy is running one and it replaced the 3 sabertooths he chunked in the trash all parts off the asus went right on the gigabyte fored it up and been working fine for 2 years

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%20600138080&IsNodeId=1&name=AM3%2b

 

[Tokthree]

I should probably add that I live in the UK and I'm willing to pay up to around £125 for the motherboard. Would prefer if the recommended motherboards are available on scan.co.uk, thanks

 

[PandaBear270]

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-sabertooth-990fx-rev-2-amd-990fx-s-am3plus-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-20-%28x16%29-atx-rev2 This one is a steal for the price, 125 pounds in your budget.

 

[Tokthree]

That's the one I have in my basket right now, the only question is how does the on-board audio compare to other motherboards such as, say, my ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0?

 

[PandaBear270]

The audio is better and have a headphone amplifier. You will not find that in other motherboards unless they are the 300€ Intel segment.

 

[Tokthree]

As long as you can assure me that the motherboard will be solid and that the audio will be at least as good as my current motherboard I think I've found my purchase.

 

[PandaBear270]

ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 --> Realtek ALC892.
Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer --> Realtek ALC1150.

It is solid due to the fact is top-end and aimed to overclockers/gamers.

A-Style : ASRock Cloud, Purity Sound™
Gaming Armor
» CPU Power - Hi-Density Power Connector
» VGA Card - 15μ Gold Finger, SLI/CrossFireX™ Power Connector
» Internet - Qualcomm® Atheros® Killer™ LAN
» Audio - Purity Sound™
Supports Socket AM3+ / AM3 processors
Supports 8-Core CPUs
Premium Gold Capacitor Design, Digi Power, 8 + 2 Power Phase Design
Supports Dual Channel DDR3 2450(OC)
3 PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 PCIe 2.0 x1
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™, NVIDIA® Quad SLI
7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec), Supports DTS Connect
Qualcomm® Atheros® Killer™ E2200 Series Gigabit LAN
Supports A-Style, F-Stream, Key Master, X-Boost, XFast RAM, Easy Driver Installer
5 SATA3, 1 M.2 (NGFF) Socket, 1 eSATA3
7 USB 3.0 (2 Front, 4 Rear, 1 Vertical Type A), 10 USB 2.0 (4 Front, 5 Rear, 1 Fatal1ty Mouse Port)
Free Bundle : XSplit 3 Months Premium License

 

[Tokthree]

But that's the Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer, not the Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0. As far as I'm aware you can't buy the Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer in the UK from any reliable PC parts retailer.

 

[PandaBear270]

The Sabertooth haves the same audio chip as yours, but have even better components than the Fatal1ty, so go with it.
If you can't afford it, go with the one junkeymonkey reccommended or http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-990fxa-ud5-amd-990fx-s-am3plus-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-raid-sata-pcie-20-%28x16%29-atx

 

[Tokthree]

I'll go with the Sabertooth then, thanks for all the help.

 

[junkeymonkey]

I hope you get one that works stable .. good luck