[Chapstick2k13]

I was gonna go with a mAtx build at first but decided ill spent a bit more money and go with a ATX build.
So there is a special at microcenter ..you get -50$ off if you buy an i5 3570k (189.99)
i gotta pick one of these boards.

p8z77-v LK .
Asrock z77 extreme4
GigabyteGA-z77x-D3H

which one is better for OCing.

which one is better for gaming

which one has a better integrated soundcard?

which one has more features?

which one is better for SLI/xfire

this is the build im planning to get

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227 coolmaster 430 39.99$
ram : 50 dllrs$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
gpu :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699 200$
psu :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028 60$
cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 20$

with i5 3570k ofcourse and still gotta pick a mobo ... i have hdd and win7 so dont need that.

total is 700$

 

[losttsol]

I'd pick the ASRock out of that bunch. Good audio, more features, overclocks well.

 

[EtheralDreamer]

I got the ASRock for a steal, but after reading the articles posted below I can't let my recommendation stand. It's been great for me and my real world application but there's no reason to not get something OBVIOUSLY better.

*edited to take out bad advice

 

[Chapstick2k13]

i read somewhere that the gigabyte board has more features and better overclocking than the asrcock board is that true?

 

[DeXel]

Whoever still recommends Extreme4 has no idea how bad choice it is. It has terrible mosfets, and suffers from voltage bug as do most ASRock boards.

Out of 3, D3H is a win. You can also consider MSI Z77A-GD55 and Biostar TZ77XE3.

 

[twerk]

The Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H is the best board by an absolute mile, the Extreme4 and the P8Z77-V LK both have terrible MOSFETS and generally have very poor quality components.

 

[DeXel]

P8Z77-V LK uses LF-PAKs as do almost all Asus boards. The problem with LK is that it doesn't offer much for the money. It also has just 4 phases for CPU.

 

[svenge]

GA-Z77X-D3H all the way. Read this in-depth review to see why to stay the hell away from the ASRock Z77 Extreme4.

 

[EtheralDreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by svenge

GA-Z77X-D3H all the way. Read this in-depth review to see why to stay the hell away from the ASRock Z77 Extreme4.

wow thanks for the share.

wish I had seen that a few months ago...

/walks away hanging head