Before we can assess value, let’s take a quick look at what today’s value-oriented performance motherboards currently cost:

ASRock deserves applause for including Lucidlogix's Virtu license on a motherboard priced at only $120. Yet, for a few dollars more, one could buy Biostar’s superb overclocker. Both of these boards come up a little short on even the most basic features though, and for that we can look to Intel’s DZ68DB. Buyers can break that tie on their own based on overclocking ambitions and connectivity needs.
That brings us to the Gigabyte versus MSI debate. A few days ago it seemed as though MSI's only issue was hitting ample volume with its board to push prices down to where our story required. We were ready to hand Gigabyte the value victory when MSI's Z68A-GD55 showed up on Newegg for the same $170 we'd seen elsewhere. But MSI pulled a rabbit out of its hat with a $20 mail-in-rebate.
A slight edge in overclocking could make MSI's $150 after-MIR price a better value to some buyers, though it also comes up around $10 shorter in features. At the end of the day, the fact that you have to send away to get $20 back (and we all know how many folks actually take that step) gives Gigabyte the narrow advantage here.
The problem is that all five of today’s products deserve an award: ASRock based on price alone, Biostar based on overclocking alone, Gigabyte based on features alone, Intel based on its combination of price and connectivity, and MSI based on its combination of features and overclocking. Handing out five awards to five vendors diminishes the value of giving the things out in the first place. But we can tell you which one we’d pick for any number of tasks.
Our kid brother gets the Z68 Pro3 because it’s cheap. He doesn’t need a bunch of features, and we don’t want to waste money on stuff he won’t use.
Our significant others get the DZ68DB because they have so many portable devices and peripherals. They don’t care what’s under the hood, and they won’t overclock.
The tech-curious kid next door gets the TZ68A+ because he’s done such a great job of mowing the lawn. He’ll spend hours overclocking it to perfection, and it’s still cheap enough to give away.
For Tom’s Hardware editors, the choice is less clear. A few of us use FireWire on occasion, but not often enough to make it a primary consideration in motherboard selection. The Z68XP-UD3 also adds a PCIe 2.0 x1-based SATA controller, but few of us use more than six drives in our personal PCs. But we’d hate to pay even more to not get those features with MSI, even though the Z68A-GD55 is marginally more efficient and an insignificantly better overclocker.
After careful deliberation, Gigabyte’s Z68XP-UD3 gets our Recommended Buy award.

- Almost Affordable
- ASRock Z68 Pro3
- Z68 Pro3 Firmware
- Biostar TZ68A+
- TZ68A+ Firmware
- Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
- Z68XP-UD3 Firmware
- Intel DZ68DB
- DZ68DB Firmware
- MSI Z68A-GD55
- Z68A-GD55 Firmware
- Test Settings
- Benchmark Results: Crysis And F1 2010
- Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2 And Metro 2033
- Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Overclocking
- Power, Heat, And Efficiency
- Value Conclusion
Do you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?
Now I just wish Intel would do the same -- can't they just rip off Asus's UEFI implementation?
Do you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?
I look into my case daily when I use the computer. There's a reason why there is a window, and hours of hard work for your perfect wiring job deserves much credit and to be stared at. Not to mention coloring schemes that matches your case/mobo pcb color/fan led colors/etc.
Some cheap monitors still use VGA, but these boards are not for the budget market! For VGA compatibility (for external capture devices and such) they could just use DVI-I and let the oddball user who needs VGA for that oddball purpose supply his own adapter.
Actually I like the PS/2 port for my keyboard. I have an old 1983 PS/2 IBM 101 keyboard that I still use. Still the most rock solid keyboard that is comfortable to use and its built like a tank. Best part of the keyboard, no "Windows" keys.
Ok, I guess leaving the Keyboard PS2 port might be ok. I figured everyone moved to USB by now. I think I still have an old PS2 KB laying around. I do remember the feel of the full stroke keys and mechanical contacts. mmmm maybe I should dig it out on day.
Actually "most" people (as you put it) sync using a USB cable, because then they can CHARGE the phone at the same time. You can't charge your phone using BlueT. So why charge using a USB cable plugged into a wall outlet converter plug (I haven't seen a phone that doesn't come with this in the past 2+ years), and then have to go the BlueT thing, when you can just plug that USB cable right INTO your computer and Charge and Sync at the same time.
Since you actually need to power your computer ON for it to Sync in the first place.....................................