Looking for a good oc'ing matx 1156 mobo

[Thrall]

Hello everyone, I'm rebuilding my rig into a matx NZXT Vulcan and I'm looking for a matx 1156 motherboard that will get my i5 750 up to 4ghz with 24/7 stability. The i5 750 that I'm currently using, and will use for this upgrade, is running at 3.5ghz on stock voltage with 24/7 stability in my Asrock p55 pro using G.Skill 1866 ram and a Hyper 212+ at 66C max. The board needs to have an open pci slot when a double slotted gpu is used and be under $100. I'd also prefer if the board had a cpu socket that is lower on the board so I can bring my Hyper 212+ over to the Vulcan and for it to have sli or xfire capabilities.

I see everyone recommending the Gene III, and I'll keep an eye on its prices in hopes for a deal, but $140+ a motherboard is a little too much for me. I'm currently looking at the following boards but am certainly open for suggestions:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157181
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131623
MSI H55M-ED55 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX In...

[Cold Storm]

To me, I feel that any of those can get that cpu at 4ghz.. maybe not at the desired volts, but it'll get there..
Now, I haven't played around with the new Asrock line, but if you can do 3.5ghz on stock volts, I say grab that Asrock board... As long as your not planning on doing duel graphics cards anytime.

[JrRacinFan]

Take a peak at this and if you need RAID function go with a P55 or H57 instead:
GIGABYTE GA-H55M-UD2H LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micr...

[Thrall]

The following link contains all 3 of those boards (or minor variations) and it does appear as if the asrock will overclock better with those lower voltages. I'm going to do some more research on this board to see how it'll do with higher voltage on an i5. (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...d,2555-21.html)

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Take a peak at this and if you need RAID function go with a P55 or H57 instead:
GIGABYTE GA-H55M-UD2H LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micr...

I was actually just looking at the matx 1156 gigabyte boards and it appears as though they've had a lot of problems with them. I love gigabyte but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk on their matx 1556 boards.

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by Thrall

I was actually just looking at the matx 1156 gigabyte boards and it appears as though they've had a lot of problems with them. I love gigabyte but I'm not sure if it's worth the risk on their matx 1556 boards.

To be honest, you probably heard alot of bad things because they have an EXTREMELY LARGE consumer base, and in human nature it's common to hear bad things but very rare to hear good.

Really at this point you are in the right direction because you just chose (IMO) the top 3 brands. Even I like the Asrock that you picked out to be truthful.

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

To be honest, you probably heard alot of bad things because they have an EXTREMELY LARGE consumer base, and in human nature it's common to hear bad things but very rare to hear good.

Really at this point you are in the right direction because you just chose (IMO) the top 3 brands. Even I like the Asrock that you picked out to be truthful.

I totally agree that bad reviews stick out more than good ones, but the board has almost as many bad reviews as good on newegg. I guess people are more likely to leave a bad review than a good one though. Anyway, I'll read more into it because the board does look like a very good overclocker....

[Cold Storm]

The thing about the gigabyte, like asus, is that your going to have issues with ram.. See, people don't look into the board to see what "ram" will work. They just buy ram, and if it doesn't work, they blame the board manufacturer, instead of themselves. Then, they complain over and over again, on forums and newegg saying that it doesn't work.. Tweaktown has a gigabyte rep that, if he can't help you fix the problem, then it's the end user...

I would be one for the gigabyte board. Asrock does look solid.. but, as a owner of a Ud7 p55a, then my heart is more for Gigabyte.. This is also coming from a person that hated Gigabyte before the p45 era.

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by Cold Storm

This is also coming from a person that hated Gigabyte before the p45 era.

True there! Me and you were DFI+Asus loyals.

[Thrall]

It seems like most of the problems were power cycling after startup. I'm not questioning your suggestions, I really appreciate all of your guy's help, but to me it seems like Gigabyte has had more issues with this board than they usually do. I mean if I get a "lemon" then, after the cost of shipping, a Gene III would have been like $20-30 away anyway.

[brandonwh64]

114$

Open Box: ASUS Maximus III GENE LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

114$

Open Box: ASUS Maximus III GENE LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

I'm a little iffy on buying open box products, especially a $100+ motherboard.

[Cold Storm]

The only thing that I would never buy open box is a mobo.. If that mobo dies.. From newegg, you have 15 days from the day you bought it.. Not when you get it... Then you have to worry about the factor of if the person that returned it, registered the board.. if they did.. Your SOL.. Or at lease thats the way with Asus.

If the gigabyte board leaves you guessing, then it's a safe bet not to think anymore about it.. Any board can do that sort of thing. But, if your having so/so thoughts.. Not worth the buy.

Seems that the Asrock is the way to go.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by Thrall

I'm a little iffy on buying open box products, especially a $100+ motherboard.

ive never had an issue with open box items but thats my own experience.

[Thrall]

OK, well thank you all for your help. I'll try and keep you up to date on how it goes.

[JrRacinFan]

Here look at this one then if you need inexpensive;
Open Box: MSI P55M-GD41 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro A...

Got you covered here because MSI goes by the serial number last time I was aware to allow RMA. What Cold is referring to is Open Box Asus EVGA & (insert manufacturer that makes you register) boards, where you are forced to register the board for RMA purposes. If the board you get is already registered you are SOL just as he stated.

Gigabyte, I have yet to RMA one of their boards so unsure of their process.

What i am saying is, MSI is THE TOP brand I would ever buy 2nd hand.