Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

Ok, so I am looking for a decent motherboard for an AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (3.2GHz socket: AM3), and I have narrowed it down to these two candidates:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128435

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...2E16813131633&

Both motherboards are identical in price and have similar specs (with a few minor differences), though I am sort of leaning towards the Gigabyte board because it has 2 USB 3.0 connections. Are either one of these worth getting? Or could you guys recommend me something better in a similar price range? (under $200.00 Canadian) :dopefish:

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

The Gigabyte

Solid Japanese capacitors, heavy duty board construction, Dual Bios, and a bunch of other features. I've got a cheap one and it's unbelievably nice.


Back in the day, I'd take the ASUS everytime. Not anymore. In fact some of the ASUS boards are rather crappy.

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

The GA-890 looks like it gives you full speed (16x) on all the PCIe slots as opposed to 8x on the other board.

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

That Gigabyte looks very similar to a board I used to build a friend's machine. I've always sworn by ASUS, but I know from experience that GB is a solid board. I'd go with that ;)

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

so a unanimous vote for the Gigabyte motherboard then? Well OK. After comparing both closer, the GA-89 should have probably been the obvious choice. Though, I guess I did overlook the PCIe slot speeds... which would be another strike against the Asus board. Also, the shipping for for the GA-89 is a few dollars cheaper... small bonus there too. :p

I have had two Gigabyte motherboards in the past and both were very solid, though one of them did blow a couple capacitors... but still managed to work regardless. I can't say that I have ever owned an ASUS Motherboard, so I am very uncertain about the build quality in comparison. So it's nice to get some impressions from people who owned both.

Anyway thanks a lot for the input, guys. :D

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

Both are 2.0 x16 or x8,x8 in Crossfire though. :confused:

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

True dat, owned a Gigabyte 790GX mobo since Windows 7 launched, and hasn't had one bit of trouble yet, and I have the same CPU as the OP has, so one can probably bet that the 890GX would be just as good of a mobo, if not better. Probably the same overclockability, and features, and what not.

Re: Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...
 

I had a problem with as ASUS board and got a Gigabyte and it's performed top notch, I'd buy another. Good BIOS options and very fine control for overclockers with features like revert to last setting if it wont boot.