Best Gaming 2011-3 Motherboard

[Omga4000]

Hey everyone,

I have the Xeon E5-2699 CPU and I'm looking for a motherboard to best match my gaming needs.
Before you go all berserk, I did not buy this CPU especially for gaming. Relax

Gaming would be the main use, however, and so I would like to pick the best one for it.
As far as I can tell - there are not that many differences between the different models/companies, but I would like to hear your opinion regarding the build and materiel quality.
I am not looking for anything specific, and I have not seen anything that stands out too much in terms of features, but of course if there are any features which you would suggest I have in my motherboard I will be glad to hear about.
Basically in terms of features, I believe I am just looking for something that is "future proof", containing USB-C and/or USB 3.1. Other than that - the quality and reliability of the board is top priority.

So. Gigabyte and Asus are pretty much the main companies in my country. I converted the price to USD for your convince.
Currently I am thinking about either the Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming (388$) or the Asus X99-A II (344$).

All of the boards are pretty "close in price", and I'm definitely willing to spend more for a quality board which I will not regret buying.

Here is the (almost) full list of 2011-3 motherboards which are sold in my country. If you see anything that you believe is better, please let me know. I am also specifying the price of the motherboard here, but I will once again say that the cost is fairly irrelevant to me, so everything that is in here I am willing to buy. Don't be shy if you think the more expensive one is worth it

Gigabyte
Gigabyte GA-X99P-SLI - 325$
Gigabyte GA-X99-Designare EX - 379$
Gigabyte GA-X99-Ultra Gaming - 388$

Asus
Asus X99-E - 316$
Asus X99-A II - 344$
Asus SABERTOOTH X99 - 447$ (No Type-C, but a decent amount of USB3.1 and 2.0/1.1 at the back panel)
Asus ROG STRIX X99 - 493$ (Not cheap, but worth it?)

Thank you,
Kfir

 

[Toothless]

Asus is good unless you need to do anything with their customer support.

Gigabyte is good but from personal happenings check BIOS version.

Go for whatever you feel like spending and what looks pretty.

 

[Omga4000]

Hey there!

Thank you for the fast response.

Honestly, looks really do not matter to me. My Define R4 has no window in it anyway
If you had to choose 1 from the list above, which one would it be? Just throw it at me.

Thank you,
Kfir.

P.S
Are you THE Toothless from "Toothless industries"? If you know what I mean..

Go for whatever you feel like spending and what looks pretty.

Not sure if I should quote you so you would get an alert.

 

[Toothless]

As much as I don't like ASUS I'd go for the X99-E for the extra RAM slots, since I do heavy multitasking and might get back into my VM stuff. If you're solely going for gaming then the Gigabyte Designare-X would be my pick.

Also I'm a dragon.

 

[Omga4000]

I'd respect a dragon.

Don't both the X99-E and Designare-X have 8 RAM slots? It even seems that the Gigabyte Designare-X supports higher RAM clock.
Have I missed something?

 

[Ebo]

Just look for the board with the features that you want, because X99 is almost equal no matter who made it, the platform is matured.
Just let price and features make the desition for you.

 

[Omga4000]

I really do not think there is any feature I want/need.

Does Asus/Gigabyte have any features which are only unique to them which I might find interesting? If not in hardware, then perhaps software wise?

 

[Ebo]

I really do not think there is any feature I want/need.

Does Asus/Gigabyte have any features which are only unique to them which I might find interesting? If not in hardware, then perhaps software wise?

Nobody can tell you that, you have to look at each borad for yourself and find what suits your needs.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

you have to look at each borad for yourself

I had to google it
Borad ................a nickname for an extremely tall person, generally of no great intelligence........

 

[Ebo]

I had to google it
Borad ................a nickname for an extremely tall person, generally of no great intelligence........

fine example of a brainfart

 

[Omga4000]

Nobody can tell you that, you have to look at each borad for yourself and find what suits your needs.

I could tell you to look at a painting and tell me what it means, but you probably couldn't tell me much unless you're an art expert.
If I knew what I was looking at and was able to choose by myself I would not have opened a post here

So, if you could lend me some of your knowledge, that would be great!

If you had to choose (not me, you) either the Gigabyte Designare or any of the Asus boards I have mentioned - what would you pick?
Take into account any of the things you would think about when choosing a motherboard.
If the X99 is pretty much the same, then do you have any personal preference for any of the companies? Why?
This would greatly assist me in my decision.

Thank you

 

[P4-630]

I had to google it
Borad ................a nickname for an extremely tall person, generally of no great intelligence........

 

[Omga4000]

That's Borat*, not sure why Google finds him when looking for Borad

 

[P4-630]

That's Borat*, not sure why Google finds him when looking for Borad

Lol! Yeah I got this in google image result! Ha!

 

[TeXBill]

I have this board (Gigabyte GA-X99-Ultra Gaming). I've used it for 2 years now without any issues. It has plenty of features and holds 8 sticks of memory. I run 32gb of memory with a Gigabyte GTX1080 and a M.2 Samsung 500Gb drive and a 2TB harddrive for storage (music, movies). Ge the one you like. Most X99 boards are mature now and have the same features, like others have said.

 

[Omga4000]

Well then, in that case I think I'll go for the Gigabyte Designare EX. I'd rather have the WiFi, Bluetooh and extra U.2 slot over 1 more USB port in the back panel and PCIe power connector in the Gigabyte Ultimate Gaming.

Thank you very much everyone, you have helped a lot!

 

[RejZoR]

Sabertooth X99 is nice, but I have somewhat mixed experience with it and it's quite expensive. "Gaming motherboard" is very vague term as motherboards don't really affect gaming. Sabertooth was all about durability and extra warranty (don't forget to fill out the TUF guarantee which gives you instant mobo replacement in 5 years if it fails). I screwed up by not doing that. You'll have like 2-3 days downtime max if it breaks. So, that's certainly VERY nice.

It has quality audio and all that stuff, but nothing really gaming focused in terms of software. My current MSI X99A Gaming 7 is more focused on that with Killer LAN, Creative Cinema 2 audio software extras makes it a really nice toy. So, if that's what makes you go, pay attention to that more within your current selection range, the extras and goodies offered with the boards.

If MSI is also an option for you, certainly check out the X99A Gaming 7. It's a pretty damn good board with good extras focused on gaming at a reasonably low price for a X99. I'd frankly pick either Gaming 7 or Sabertooth X99 if I were again picking boards. And I'd fill out the TUF certificate for instant replacement this time around XD

 

[MxPhenom 216]

AsRock or MSI. Two boards makers i typically buy these days. Asus has gone downhill lately. Their service is total garbage. Gigabyte arent known for their BIOS, granted i do like using them for lower end builds.

 

[Omga4000]

Sabertooth X99 is nice, but I have somewhat mixed experience with it and it's quite expensive. "Gaming motherboard" is very vague term as motherboards don't really affect gaming. Sabertooth was all about durability and extra warranty (don't forget to fill out the TUF guarantee which gives you instant mobo replacement in 5 years if it fails). I screwed up by not doing that. You'll have like 2-3 days downtime max if it breaks. So, that's certainly VERY nice.

It has quality audio and all that stuff, but nothing really gaming focused in terms of software. My current MSI X99A Gaming 7 is more focused on that with Killer LAN, Creative Cinema 2 audio software extras makes it a really nice toy. So, if that's what makes you go, pay attention to that more within your current selection range, the extras and goodies offered with the boards.

If MSI is also an option for you, certainly check out the X99A Gaming 7. It's a pretty damn good board with good extras focused on gaming at a reasonably low price for a X99. I'd frankly pick either Gaming 7 or Sabertooth X99 if I were again picking boards. And I'd fill out the TUF certificate for instant replacement this time around XD

AsRock or MSI. Two boards makers i typically buy these days. Asus has gone downhill lately. Their service is total garbage. Gigabyte arent known for their BIOS, granted i do like using them for lower end builds.

Unfortunately, both MSI and Asrock are not much of an option in my country.
There are a few MSI boards out there, but it's in distant locations which I don't travel to.

The SABERTOOTH only comes with 3 years of warranty, as does the Gigabyte.
If the SABERTOOTH doesn't give me any additional (and important) features, then I don't think it's worth the cost. Is it?

 

[bogmali]

AsRock or MSI. Two boards makers i typically buy these days.

+1 for MSI. I use an X99A MPower on my main rig. Customer service is much better than others

 

[Omga4000]

+1 for MSI. I use an X99A MPower on my main rig. Customer service is much better than others

Thanks for your opinion!

As I have stated before, though. MSI is not really sold here in my country, and this version isn't being sold at all

 

[bogmali]

MSI is not really sold here in my country, and this version isn't being sold at all

According to MSI's website they do

I am basing your geo loc according to your IP address

 

[Omga4000]

According to MSI's website they do

I am basing your geo loc according to your IP address

I said "not really", not that they are not sold at all
The companies that do sell them (the ones listed on the site) are not spread across the country, making it really difficult for me to reach them. Not to mention that it'll be a real pain to travel there again in case something breaks.
We do not work directly with MSI, but rather with the store we bought it from.

The 2 companies which are country-wide, doesn't sell any MSI X99 boards, only B,H and Z chipsets.

Sad to say that MSI is not an option.

 

[RejZoR]

I'd personally go with ASUS X99A-II. ASUS Strix is probably the most gaming focused and has extra goodies worthy for a gamer, but it's also the most expensive board so think about it if it brings any value to you or not.

 

[Omga4000]

Between the X99A-II and the Gigabyte Designare, I think I prefer the Gigabyte, only because I have had a Gigabyte board since forever and I am biased.

Would you kindly explain about the goodies the Asus ROG brings to the table? Where does the extra 100$ go to?
Which features does it sport that the Gigabyte or X99A-II does not have? Are we talking about HW or SW goodies

Thank you very much