best X79 motherboards?

[Shmee]

Hello, I am looking for a good X79 motherboard for ocing a 4930k IB-E. Good UEFI bios control and features are also important, but I want to make sure it has good OC features and robust components/power delivery. Needs to support crossfire. I was looking at the rampage IV black edition, but it is pretty pricey. Recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks all.

 

[dmoney1980]

I own an Asus p9x79 pro board, and it's been rock solid / stable for me. I consider myself an amateur overclocker, and this board let me OC my 4820k to 4.3 ghz with ease. From what I've read, it seems that Asus owns the x79 market in terms of different mobo offerings at various pricing segments. I don't think you could go wrong with a pro board, or pony up for a sabertooth / ROG variant.

 

[bradly1101]

I'm really happy with my Gigabyte GAX79-UP4. I don't use them, but it has all the overclocking options. Depending on your CPU cooler you may not be able to use crossfire in the x16 slots because the first slot is too close. If you're using water it should be OK. I did xfire in the x8 slots without issue since my Noctua was too close.

 

[Shmee]

That was one of the boards I was looking at. Seems a good price, good features. My only concern is that some of the reviews say that it and other x79 boards seem a bit "dated" next to the asus ones in terms of features and UEFI bios design etc. I would have to look more into how well they OC, with updated bios etc, but it did seem like a good option.

 

[bradly1101]

These reviews of the P9 put me off. The GA came in the latest revision (1.1) with the latest BIOS. And the only motherboards I've had fail were Asus boards.

 

[dmoney1980]

These reviews of the P9 put me off. The GA came in the latest revision (1.1) with the latest BIOS. And the only motherboards I've had fail were Asus boards.

My pro board has been rock solid. I take newegg user reviews with a grain of salt, unless a lot of users are reporting the same issue.

 

[AdamK47]

The best?

ASRock X79 Extreme11 > All other X79 boards

 

[dmoney1980]

I think, Intel motherboard is the best for use.

good UEFI controls and overclocking are 2 things Intel boards don't have (which is what the OP mentioned in his post)

 

[AdamK47]

The default Intel motherboard mentality some have is invalid. Even Intel knows this. Intel is phasing out their motherboard business and will only supply chips and chipsets to 3rd parties. 3rd parties have had better implementations for years now.

 

[Shmee]

Ya I would stay away from Intel boards too. Usually I go with MSI or Gigabyte.

 

[bradly1101]

My pro board has been rock solid. I take newegg user reviews with a grain of salt, unless a lot of users are reporting the same issue.

I noticed a review that said the P9 didn't have a front USB3 connector, is that true?

 

[dmoney1980]

I noticed a review that said the P9 didn't have a front USB3 connector, is that true?

The particular board I have does have a front USB 3 connection

 

[bradly1101]

The particular board I have does have a front USB 3 connection

Cool, I know a lot of people here are happy with their Asus boards, I just had bad luck with two of them. All other brands I've used (MSI, Gigabyte, Albatron, Intel) have been rock solid.

 

[Shmee]

I went with the Gigabyte UP4 btw. Should come later today.

 

[bradly1101]

Enjoy!