Motherboard Decision Help

Putty

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Oct 3, 2009
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Hey guys, I went to build my dream rig Friday, and my open box mobo I got was DOA; not too pleased. So I sent for an RMA box, and have to wait for that to get here and then it to get there. In the mean time I'm debating on a new motherboard.

First choice:
ASUS RAMPAGE II GENEt
I got this open box, so the chances of it being defective were greatly increased, oh well. If I get it again, I'm for sure getting the brand new version (linked). The only gripe about this is it only has two PCIE16 slots, and they're fairly close with my huge card in it.

Second choice:
ASRock X56 DELUX
This card has a whopping 4 PCI16 slots, but isn't that name brand. It is the cheapest out of these three boards though. I'm highly considering this one even though I wouldn't use all four slots, but the space is nice.

Third choice:
MSI X58 PRO-E
This one's about in the middle price-wise; it has three PCIE16 slots, which I can live with since I'd only dual SLI. And best of all, it matches my case's color scheme; blue and black. But I can live with a different color if it means I don't need to replace my board.


Thanks guys, your opinions mean a lot :)
 
Id go with the ASUS, its had better ratings. After all you bought it open box which increases the rate of DOA. However the chances of getting a second ASUS board DOA are really, really low. Ive used them for the last 6 years and my father for since he got involved with computers in '99 and only used them since. They really are Rock Solid, that is when they're new and not what someone returned broken.
 
mobo blues

Honestly, all you really need is the asus p6t deluxe........or even the intel dx58so, i bought the dx58so and it was the easiest, most simplest mobo with no problems ever i have ever bought. The p6t deluxe has served me well too. If you really have deep pockets, the evga x58 classified has quad sli on it now. I know of no one who actually runs 4 video cards, but, hey it's cool to look at.
 
I'm trying to stay either around or under $200.

Sorry for not clarifying that.

I think I'm going with the MSI.

EDIT: Ugggggh, it doesn't support my RAM. I may have to get the GENE, but not open box.
 
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I've always been an Asus fan... But i'd look into EVGA mobo's.
 
Gigabyte is my personal favorite for Motherboards. But Evga is also another great company.

By the way you do realize the first board is a Micro ATX right?

Also another thing. Benchmarks have proven that anything more than SLI is a waste of money. Tri and Quad SLI can actually decrease your performance. So in my opinion I wouldn't worry too much about having 4 PCI-E slots unless you have lots of other stuff that uses PCI-E.

But my personal suggestion would be this board here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

Unless you've got a little room in your budget, then I would go with this board here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188046
 
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That first EVGA looks pretty sweet. I think it's either that or the ASUS. If I get the EVGA, I may need to wait a week or two more. I'm spent all my money on my current setup, and that one's ~+$100.

Oh well, a weeks wait is worth it if it means it's higher quality, right?
 
That first EVGA looks pretty sweet. I think it's either that or the ASUS. If I get the EVGA, I may need to wait a week or two more. I'm spent all my money on my current setup, and that one's ~+$100.

Oh well, a weeks wait is worth it if it means it's higher quality, right?
 
ASUS, hands down. It's what I ALWAYS recommend! MSI boards have never given me trouble, but I'm not a huge fan.

Before considering EVGA, please take a look at this post.

As always, it's a PC because it's YOUR personal computer. Anything that you wish to do is up to you! From a tech-standpoint, ASUS. ASUS will never let you down.
 
The bad thing about the MSI is that it doesn't support my RAM though (which is already purchased and I have no desire to send it back).

The one thing that I noticed about the ASUS, I would have to OC the ram in my BIOS. Not the case in the EVGA. I can live with changing that. But the two PCIE16's is a bummer.

Then for the FoxConn, if I were to upgrade my memory, I'd have to get three new sticks, 4gb/stick. Where as the EVGA/ASUS have six slots.
 
The bad thing about the MSI is that it doesn't support my RAM though (which is already purchased and I have no desire to send it back).

The one thing that I noticed about the ASUS, I would have to OC the ram in my BIOS. Not the case in the EVGA. I can live with changing that. But the two PCIE16's is a bummer.

Then for the FoxConn, if I were to upgrade my memory, I'd have to get three new sticks, 4gb/stick. Where as the EVGA/ASUS have six slots.

if you are building this machine for gaming, theres no way you are going to need more than 6 gigs of DDR3 RAM rated at 1600mhz.

if you do upgrade, it will be to something other than DDR3

Unless you are doing professional multimedia editing or programming from home, you dont need more than 6 gigs.

-Blue
 
For gaming, true.

But my major is Digital Media, and an upgrade in the future would be nice :P I'm stuck between that Foxconn and the ASUS board I previously got.
 

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