ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 P67 Vs. GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3
 

Wouldn't the Gigabyte mobo be better than the AsRock? I am planning to overclock my i5 2500k, and also crossfire x2 6950. The Gigabyte is x16 and x8 when Crossfire x2, and the AsRock is dual x8 when crossfire. I understand that the AsRock is PCI-E 3.0 but I don't plan to change my CPU anytime soon so which would be the best bet. I already got the AsRock for $120. Should I return for the Gigabyte which is $101?


Thanks.

The ASrock Extreme would be better IMO.

But wouldn't x16 and x8 be faster than x8 and x8?

Honestly you wouldn't see much of a difference.

They are both x8/x8 with two cards. But yeah, either way it wouldn't make much of a difference.

It's the same there's no such thing as x16 and x8. When you populate the x8 lane, the x16 lane will run at the same x8 so you'll have 2x 8x. And don't return the ASRock, it's a beter board.

Well thanks guys, I guess Imma opt for the cheaper one if they are the same. The only difference I see from the two is that the AsRock has PCI 3.0 and the extra 3.0 front panel and 2 more sata.

Thanks

You would get better performance out of the ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 though

Can you specify better performance:):)? I thought every mobo was the same. Just different features.

Better OCing performance

I see. But I have read reviews that the Gigabyte could overclock the i5 2500k to 4.8ghz in some reviews. I understand the AsRock is good but will it be drastically different in performance than the Gigabyte?

Well compaired to the mATX board you are looking at the ASrock has the Digi Power, Advanced V8 + 2 Power Phase Design. Would be alot better for OCing the 2500K. I also did the same as you and relied on reviews until I got my board. it has the cheap 4+1 Phase and does not do as well as the cheaper full ATX boards with higher phases.

I have that exact ASRock and it gets my 2500k to 4.8ghz @ 1.38v and 5ghz @ 1.41v. I would take the ASRock over that Gigabyte any day. I run a GB mobo in my other PC and its flawless, but you can not beat the value of the ASRock.

There are a lot of differences between those two boards. What I do is go on to Newegg, have one board in one tab and the other board/s in another, then line them up on the specs page and flip between the two tabs. It's the easiest way of seeing the differences.

If one board lacks what you need, then you know you should look for another board. If both boards have what you need, then the next place to look is to reviews and see what performance they are getting on the average, while keeping their respective prices in mind. Naturally if they both scale linearly with their price, then what you come down to is how much you want to spend.

That P67 board is one of the best P67 boards you can get as far as stability goes (per reviews).

Thanks for the insight.

I did exactly what you said prior to buying the mobo. But the price of the Gigabyte drastically decreased; hence, I had to see if I should return the AsRock for a twenty dollar difference.

Thanks for that bit of info though.

The Gigabyte board uses old open chokes and not enough of them. It's cheaply made. The AsRock board has much better components than the Gigabyte.

I don't know what you mean but I guess from all your input, the AsRock would be the best option to choose from.

From what I heard dont use a heavy cooler on the asrock as its a thinner PCB and may warp a little easier.

I have the z68 version (same PCB) and there's no issue in that regard. I've used a Coolermaster V8 and I've got my current waterblock clamped down pretty tight. Minimal flexing and I've seen much worse on more expensive boards.

I can back this up. The PCB is not any thinner than any other quality board, nor have I seen any flexing with a Venomous-X, and a Swifty Apogee HD block installed. The board itself is very high quality, and I'm surprised that it isn't more expensive.

ASrock has nice PCB's the only motherboard manufacturer I have seen to have a thin PCB is EVGA

Thanks guys. Just was hear say.