ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo or any other Recommendations?

[Destiny]

Thinking about getting an ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

Supposedly this will support PCI Express 3.0 when I plug in an Ivy Bridge CPU along with a Nvidia GTX 680 (Planning to get it when it comes back in stock).

I use my PC for gaming (FPS like BF3, RTS, and Diablo 3), Video Encoding, and Video editing.

I have a Samsung 830 SSD on its way and will this Mobo play nice with it?

Thinking about popping in an i5-2550k or waiting for the i7-3770k...

Or should I wait and get a 7 series mobo?

 

[denis280]

This is a good choice.my friend as one and work wonderful.that's my comment.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

I love my asrock extreme3. Using a Samsung 830 64gb as SSD cache for now until some 256gb Samsungs run on a decent sale. Overall a great value board that doesn't seem to skimp on anything. I have a 2700k @ 4.6ghz (Hyper 212 Evo), 2x GTX 470s, and 16gb (4x4gb) Gskill sniper ram.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Just got myself an Extreme4, and despite my previous hesitations about Asrock as a whole I must say I'm very impressed. Both by the bundled contents (got a USB3.0 front panel header with mine) and its OC ability. If the Extreme3 is anything like the Extreme4 I wouldn't hesitate one second.

Also wouldn't hurt to have a MC nearby, but that topic has been beaten to death already...

 

[FAUguy]

I've been using this ASRock board for 5 months and haven't had any issues with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157263

I was planning or replacing my 2600k and NVidia 560ti for Ivy Bridge and 680 card in a few months. Just wasn't sure at that point if it would be best to update the motherboard to a Z77 as well.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=Fatal1ty Z77 Professional

 

[Wolfsraider]

I too love mine, I have used asrock many times and they are sound boards in most cases imho. One note though... Hdmi and uefi ... If you use hdmi as I do, you may have no video driver (which causes the bios to be only viewable 1/4 size at a time and it gets washed out by mouse trail. You can use keyboard for navigation though or simply avoid using hdmi. other than that its a great mobo mine can hit 4500mhz at 65c without issue. edit i use a 36 inch lcd, no video driver may be incorrect as generic is the term i read.

 

[Rvenger]

Had two of them. Awesome boards!

 

[geokilla]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2189554

Enjoy? I'm thinking of building my next rig with this as well, but the competition such as the Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 seems to be more popular. I personally see the Gigabyte on sale more than the ASRock...

I myself wanna build a Sandy Bridge PC, but can't do it till after exams. Need to get my Crucial M4 installed as well.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2189554

Enjoy? I'm thinking of building my next rig with this as well, but the competition such as the Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 seems to be more popular. I personally see the Gigabyte on sale more than the ASRock...

I myself wanna build a Sandy Bridge PC, but can't do it till after exams. Need to get my Crucial M4 installed as well.

YEAH CANADIANS!!!1

I hate to repeat things, but I can't recommend Gigabyte for this iteration of boards until they fix the boot loop crap. I've been using Gigabyte for the past 4 years, and initially went with one for my SB build, but after I couldn't get dual channel without boot loops (Google it), I ditched it in favor of an Asrock. At this point I'd only recommend Asus and Asrock. It's hard to go wrong with a P8Z68 or Extreme3/4/7 Gen3.

Here's a thread over at XS that details some issues with the Extreme Gen3s. Might be worth a read to see if anything is pertinent to you.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Been happily using mine since October. No complaints! Solid at 4.6.

 

[Rvenger]

YEAH CANADIANS!!!1

I hate to repeat things, but I can't recommend Gigabyte for this iteration of boards until they fix the boot loop crap. I've been using Gigabyte for the past 4 years, and initially went with one for my SB build, but after I couldn't get dual channel without boot loops (Google it), I ditched it in favor of an Asrock. At this point I'd only recommend Asus and Asrock. It's hard to go wrong with a P8Z68 or Extreme3/4/7 Gen3.

Here's a thread over at XS that details some issues with the Extreme Gen3s. Might be worth a read to see if anything is pertinent to you.

I am pretty sure most of the issues have been ironed out with the 1.30 bios.

 

[Destiny]

Thanks everyone! I will be picking it up today at NewEgg will call... I went to Microcenter over the weekend but they were sold out so I couldn't bundle it with the i5-2500k CPU/Mobo deal...

So instead I used the facebook coupon and $15 off e-mail code to get the i5-2550k instead for $134.99 and got the Mobo from NewEgg instead...

I think the difference with the Extreme3 and Extreme4 are number of PCI-3.0 slots and USB ports... I'm not a fan of triple SLI so this one is more than good enough for me...

My friend got the Extreme4 over the weekend and I helped him with his build... I have to say that Mobo is a beauty and the new BIOs UEI is user friendly for him (he's a first time builder)...

 

[Rvenger]

So instead I used the facebook coupon and $15 off e-mail code to get the i5-2550k instead for $134.99 and got the Mobo from NewEgg instead...

Now thats a deal!

 

[Destiny]

Now thats a deal!

The i5-2500k + Extreme3 Gen3 = total was $15 cheaper but they were out of the of the mobo... but I'm not complaining... LOL

 

[chubbyfatazn]

I am pretty sure most of the issues have been ironed out with the 1.30 bios.

The Asrock? I'm still on 1.00 and I haven't had any real problems yet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

I wasn't aware MC was selling the 2550k for $150 exclusive of a combo deal... it was $180 for my 2500k with a board. Would've sprung for that if that were indeed the case...

 

[Destiny]

The Asrock? I'm still on 1.00 and I haven't had any real problems yet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

I wasn't aware MC was selling the 2550k for $150 exclusive of a combo deal... it was $180 for my 2500k with a board. Would've sprung for that if that were indeed the case...

I watch the Anandtech "HOT DEALS" forum like a hawk! Heck I'm at work and I've already visited 5 times already...

Here is the deal - I think it is good till the end of the month

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33196656#post33196656

 

[pacent]

The Asrock? I'm still on 1.00 and I haven't had any real problems yet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

I wasn't aware MC was selling the 2550k for $150 exclusive of a combo deal... it was $180 for my 2500k with a board. Would've sprung for that if that were indeed the case...

MC was selling the 2550k for 149.95 with the FB coupon, but you don't get the 50 dollar off combo deal with the mobo.

I went for the more expensive 2500K instead at 179.95, and was able to get 50 bucks off the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo. I went in with the intending to purchase the Extreme4, but more than one guy there said some folks have been having issues with stability. The reviews on newegg backs up this claim.

Total price was 255 + tax, for mobo and cpu, much cheaper than newegg.

 

[Destiny]

MC was selling the 2550k for 149.95 with the FB coupon, but you don't get the 50 dollar off combo deal with the mobo.

I went for the more expensive 2500K instead at 179.95, and was able to get 50 bucks off the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo. I went in with the intending to purchase the Extreme4, but more than one guy there said some folks have been having issues with stability. The reviews on newegg backs up this claim.

Total price was 255 + tax, for mobo and cpu, much cheaper than newegg.

They were sold out of that Mobo at all microcenters in a 500 mile radius... I drove almost a 100 miles round trip to the Irvine MC - that as far as I will go...

 

[kalrith]

I have one paired with an i5 2500k running at 4.3 GHz at pretty low voltage. It's been a very solid board. I got it for $115 and the 2500k for $180, so I was very pleased with the performance & quality for the price.

 

[Destiny]

I have one paired with an i5 2500k running at 4.3 GHz at pretty low voltage. It's been a very solid board. I got it for $115 and the 2500k for $180, so I was very pleased with the performance & quality for the price.

What is the wattage out put at that clock and what PSU are you using?

I have a 550watt PSU... is it enough for a low or mild overclock? Rig in my Sig...

 

[chubbyfatazn]

MC was selling the 2550k for 149.95 with the FB coupon, but you don't get the 50 dollar off combo deal with the mobo.

I went for the more expensive 2500K instead at 179.95, and was able to get 50 bucks off the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 Mobo. I went in with the intending to purchase the Extreme4, but more than one guy there said some folks have been having issues with stability. The reviews on newegg backs up this claim.

Total price was 255 + tax, for mobo and cpu, much cheaper than newegg.

Ah. Glad I went with the ordinary 2500k deal, then, don't really see/need any benefits from SB-E at this moment.

I got the last Extreme4 at my MC. I'm curious to know what kind of stability issues they're referring to. I'm currently testing 5GHz at 1.44v for the hell of it, and it seems to be rock steady. Gonna go back to my 4.8GHz OC for 24/7 use, but who says I can't have a little fun while it's still new I feel satisfied at $300 for the two, since I usually hang on to my system for at least 2-3 years.

 

[kalrith]

What is the wattage out put at that clock and what PSU are you using?

I have a 550watt PSU... is it enough for a low or mild overclock? Rig in my Sig...

I'm guessing you'll be OK. I have an older 550W PSU, the Antec True Control v. 2. I overclocked my 4870 to 820/1050. I know at stock the 4870 uses less wattage than the 570, but I'm not sure how that compares once overclocked.

Anyways, I can hook it up to my Kill-A-Watt tonight if you want, but I ran 3 threads of prime95 along with one thread of Furmark while hooked up to my 380W UPS. That should mean that my max power usage is less than 380W at the wall. At 80% efficiency that would mean my PSU was using 304W.

In other words I'd say you're safe with a mild overclock unless your gpu is pulling 200W more than mine.

Edit: I just saw that you're planning to get the 680. I'd say you're definitely safe then. I'm guessing that my overclocked 4870 uses similar power to the stock 680. I'd guess that your total system usage will be under 400W at the wall, which means it'll be much less produced by the PSU.

 

[pacent]

Ah. Glad I went with the ordinary 2500k deal, then, don't really see/need any benefits from SB-E at this moment.

I got the last Extreme4 at my MC. I'm curious to know what kind of stability issues they're referring to. I'm currently testing 5GHz at 1.44v for the hell of it, and it seems to be rock steady. Gonna go back to my 4.8GHz OC for 24/7 use, but who says I can't have a little fun while it's still new I feel satisfied at $300 for the two, since I usually hang on to my system for at least 2-3 years.

IIRC, they were saying its a relatively newer board, so the bios/drivers haven't had an opportunity to mature yet. That being said, there are plenty of reviews on newegg from people that have had nothing but glowing things to say about this board.

 

[Destiny]

Ah. Glad I went with the ordinary 2500k deal, then, don't really see/need any benefits from SB-E at this moment.

I got the last Extreme4 at my MC. I'm curious to know what kind of stability issues they're referring to. I'm currently testing 5GHz at 1.44v for the hell of it, and it seems to be rock steady. Gonna go back to my 4.8GHz OC for 24/7 use, but who says I can't have a little fun while it's still new I feel satisfied at $300 for the two, since I usually hang on to my system for at least 2-3 years.

From what I've read when you overclock the temperture with the ASRock is cooler and more stable than the ASUS gen3 version....

I'm guessing you'll be OK. I have an older 550W PSU, the Antec True Control v. 2. I overclocked my 4870 to 820/1050. I know at stock the 4870 uses less wattage than the 570, but I'm not sure how that compares once overclocked.

Anyways, I can hook it up to my Kill-A-Watt tonight if you want, but I ran 3 threads of prime95 along with one thread of Furmark while hooked up to my 380W UPS. That should mean that my max power usage is less than 380W at the wall. At 80% efficiency that would mean my PSU was using 304W.

In other words I'd say you're safe with a mild overclock unless your gpu is pulling 200W more than mine.

Edit: I just saw that you're planning to get the 680. I'd say you're definitely safe then. I'm guessing that my overclocked 4870 uses similar power to the stock 680. I'd guess that your total system usage will be under 400W at the wall, which means it'll be much less produced by the PSU.

Oh no need to test... what you're saying is about right.. cool thanks!

I'm planning to only slightly overclock the CPU - I rather Fry a $150 CPU than fry a $300 or $500 GPU!

 

[chubbyfatazn]

IIRC, they were saying its a relatively newer board, so the bios/drivers haven't had an opportunity to mature yet. That being said, there are plenty of reviews on newegg from people that have had nothing but glowing things to say about this board.

Ah. Well in that case, I'm not too concerned. Nothing hardware related, it sounds like.

I'm planning to only slightly overclock the CPU - I rather Fry a $150 CPU than fry a $300 or $500 GPU!

Unless you decide to pump 1.7v through that thing 24/7, I highly doubt you'd end up frying the chip. Don't be shy, have some fun while you can with that sucker 1.52v is far beyond what I'd run for a 24/7 setup, but I still tested 5.2GHz there for a bit just to see my chip's capabilities. Curiosity :whiste: