New Motherboard(AM3+)

[DanTheGamer11]

Hiya guys,

I'm thinking of returning the Asrock mobo I have atm because DRR2 makes the system unstable and I have DDR3 RAM now so it lost it's only appeal to me, that and I can't get my Zipang in the right orientation due to the cpu plastic thing they use, and temp sensor seems off. Am thinking between these two, but am open to other recommendations(don't need 990 series mobo, not fan of dual gpus after my 7950GX2).

 

The Gigabyte mobo looks decent, but I heard their VRMs are lower quality than other manufacturers even though it's 8+2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F5R9O46/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

 

The Asus looks decent too, would allow me to use Smart Doctor to monitor temps, but has 6+2+2 power phase.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008RPZ5H8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

 

I guess nobody here has these boards with any of the Crucial ram with leds? I wanna know if I can control the leds and use the temp sensors on the sticks.

 

I want to be able to overclock the northbridge since it apparently has a decent impact on minimum fps.

Edited January 23, 2014 by DanTheGamer11

[Bosco]

I use this board a lot in my systems for customers its a great board never had an issue with one yet

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/M5A97-R2-0-Motherboard-PCI-Express-Flashback/dp/B008RPYB0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1390541876&sr=1-1&keywords=ASUS+M5A97+R2.0

 

Can't help you on the Ram with LED's though, but if I had to guess I would say most likely not since I have never seen LED controls in the BIOS for memory, but I could be wrong though.

[VaporX]

I used the Gigabyte 970 Board in every Phenom I build I did as well as the few FX builds and have never had an issue.

[DanTheGamer11]

I use this board a lot in my systems for customers its a great board never had an issue with one yet

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/M5A97-R2-0-Motherboard-PCI-Express-Flashback/dp/B008RPYB0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1390541876&sr=1-1&keywords=ASUS+M5A97+R2.0

 

Can't help you on the Ram with LED's though, but if I had to guess I would say most likely not since I have never seen LED controls in the BIOS for memory, but I could be wrong though.

 

Is 4+2 enough if I want to overclock it? Currently have my 1055T on 3.3Ghz on this board. As for the leds and temps you need to download Ballistix MOD Utility from crucial, but the mobo has to be compatible which is pretty impossible to know without somebody telling you.

 

I used the Gigabyte 970 Board in every Phenom I build I did as well as the few FX builds and have never had an issue.

 

Have you overclocked on it? I heard the VRMs aren't that good, but the mobo seems good considering it has 5 eggs on Newegg. I'm a bit partial to the Asus because I had an Asus board before and I liked the smart doctor utility, does Gigabyte have something similar? Also is the correct CPU temp displayed? This mobo is off by 20 degrees Celsius with this X6.

 

Thanks so far guys

[DanTheGamer11]

Bump, probably gonna order today

[ajmatson]

I use this board a lot in my systems for customers its a great board never had an issue with one yet

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/M5A97-R2-0-Motherboard-PCI-Express-Flashback/dp/B008RPYB0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1390541876&sr=1-1&keywords=ASUS+M5A97+R2.0

 

Can't help you on the Ram with LED's though, but if I had to guess I would say most likely not since I have never seen LED controls in the BIOS for memory, but I could be wrong though.

 

I have to +1 this board, good solid board and has some headroom. Besides ASUS boards are very good and stable boards.

[DanTheGamer11]

So should I drop to the standard M5A97 2.0 instead of the evo?

[ajmatson]

Evo brings a few more ports and I believe  6+2 phase so if you have a few more bucks to drop go for the Evo.

[dr_bowtie]

I still have a couple of these and they clock well with 6 cores too

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631

[DanTheGamer11]

Bowtie those are extinct here So far I think it's 2 for the asus vs 1 for the gigabyte

[Bosco]

Any of the Asus boards will be fine for normal overclocking. If you are trying to get really extreme and push your chip to its limit you may want a higher classed board.

[LETTERSTOTHEDEV]

I've been an asrock fan for years but I wont lie, they are flaky if you get the wrong one, they take alot of abuse but they always seem a little flaky. I've had a few issues with asus but they tend to be DOA or totally fine. I would not recommend gigabyte, personally I think they suck, they have their own thing going on and their own fan base but I just cant help feeling like i'm looking at a foxconn board when I buy one.