Need some advice: Comparing motherboards...

Kev_Hectic · 10-13-2010, 05:20 PM

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)

KO Gilligan · 10-13-2010, 08:50 PM

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.

NutWrench · 10-13-2010, 08:53 PM

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

Phayzon · 10-13-2010, 09:07 PM

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

Kev_Hectic · 10-14-2010, 07:51 PM

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.

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.

Phayzon · 10-14-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_Hectic

Though, I guess I did overlook the PCIe slot speeds... which would be another strike against the Asus board.

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

8IronBob · 11-12-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KO Gilligan

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.

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.

Nessus · 11-20-2010, 09:25 AM

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.

10-13-2010, 05:20 PM	#1
Kev_Hectic	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) __________________ RIP: 3D REALMS 1987 - 2009, you're still dead to me

10-13-2010, 08:50 PM	#2
KO Gilligan	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.

10-13-2010, 08:53 PM	#3
NutWrench	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. __________________ "If by chance some day you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."

10-13-2010, 09:07 PM	#4
Phayzon	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 __________________ I made the first post on the VB! "So I guess the news here is that not only is Australia the last to get anything new in regard to videogames, they're also the first to get them taken away." - LeadBullet "We're part-time internet superheros." - Hudson

10-14-2010, 07:51 PM	#5
Kev_Hectic	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. 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. __________________ RIP: 3D REALMS 1987 - 2009, you're still dead to me

11-20-2010, 09:25 AM	#8
Nessus	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. __________________ "Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book." Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC)