Gigabyte z77x UD3H vs AsRock z77 extreme 4?

[kriviful]

Hello everyone! This is the first thread I'm making. I'm building my first PC and will buy the parts for like 3 weeks or so. The build goes:
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912
CPU: Intel i5 3570k
GPU: Sapphire 7870 2GB Ghz edition
PSU: Seasonic 650AM
RAM: 8gb ddr3 Corsair Vengeance
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1tb 64mb st1000dm003
Now I don't know what motherboard to take between those 2. They seem best for my price range but just I don't know which one to pick (their price difference doesn't matter to me). Which board is better and why?

 

[pauldun170]

Asrock posts quicker, 1 esata port
Gigbyte slightly sturdier and proper dimensions, 2 eSata ports

Asrock uses Realtek ALC898
Gigabyte uses VIA VT2021

Asrock uses 8 + 4 Phase Design
gigabyte uses 9+2 phase design

Asrock uses Broadcom BCM57781 lan
not sure about Gigabyte

Gigabyte has VIA USB ports
Asrock uses Etron

 

[kleinkinstein]

Flip a coin. Yes, really!

 

[I4AT]

When I was looking at motherboards I went with the Z77X D3H.

The UD3H only has 2x SATA 6Gbps headers onboard. The other 2 are moved to the rear panel as eSATA ports. It would have made more sense to use SATA 3Gbps for the eSATA ports because those are mainly going to be used for storage drives where the extra speed is wasted, I can't imagine anyone would be using SSD's as external backups.

Aside from that all 3 boards are fairly similar with the exception of a few less USB3 ports for the Asrock and no eSATA for the D3H. The Asrock is supposed to be a quick booter as previously mentioned, and it can typically be found for $105 with no rebates which generally makes it about $20 cheaper than the Gigabyte options.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one unless a specific layout/IO option would be more suitable for your case/application.

 

[WiseUp216]

I like the Asrock Extreme4 and can say that its been a solid board for me for the last 6 months.

If the price difference doesn't matter to you, just pick the one that you think looks the best. You won't find a consensus here for either board. Both are good buys.

 

[lehtv]

Asrock posts quicker, 1 esata port
Gigbyte slightly sturdier and proper dimensions, 2 eSata ports

Asrock uses Realtek ALC898
Gigabyte uses VIA VT2021

Asrock uses 8 + 4 Phase Design
gigabyte uses 9+2 phase design

Asrock uses Broadcom BCM57781 lan
not sure about Gigabyte

Gigabyte has VIA USB ports
Asrock uses Etron

Gigabyte has better layout and more expansion slots, including a 2.0 x4 slot which Asrock lacks entirely.

Gigabyte has an mSATA slot.

Gigabyte has DisplayPort which supports up to 2560x1600 via the integrated GPU.

Gigabyte has four chassis fan headers versus Asrock's three.

Also, Gigabyte's LAN is Atheros

 

[pauldun170]

Gigabyte has better layout and more expansion slots, including a 2.0 x4 slot which Asrock lacks entirely.

Gigabyte has an mSATA slot.

Gigabyte has DisplayPort which supports up to 2560x1600 via the integrated GPU.

Gigabyte has four chassis fan headers versus Asrock's three.

Also, Gigabyte's LAN is Atheros

I had to look up what the mSata was. LOL
Only thing that makes me a little suspicious on the Gigabyte board is the use of VIA usb3 ...seen some reports of driver issues.

Just tossing up more info for OP
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5793/...-with-ivy-bridge-asrock-asus-gigabyte-and-msi

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Gigabyte-Z77X-UD3H-Motherboard/1520/9

 

[kriviful]

Well thanks for all the information! I was searching about the two boards a little and some people say AsRock board is harder to mount because it is a bit shorter than the standard ATX. I guess I will go for Gigabyte! Thanks again!

 

[pauldun170]

Well thanks for all the information! I was searching about the two boards a little and some people say AsRock board is harder to mount because it is a bit shorter than the standard ATX. I guess I will go for Gigabyte! Thanks again!

Just to clarify..
The Asrock is not "harder to mount"
Its just that there is no support along the front edge of the board because it doesn't reach the leading edge standoffs on most cases.
You have to be make sure the board is braced prior to adding ram, hooking up connectors. Otherwise its flexes when you apply pressure.

 

[TechBoy101]

Well thanks for all the information! I was searching about the two boards a little and some people say AsRock board is harder to mount because it is a bit shorter than the standard ATX. I guess I will go for Gigabyte! Thanks again!

Welcome to the Gigabyte family haha I use a gigabyte myself seems worth it but there is a lot of hype around the Extreme 4 kinda curious how it is now though.. maybe next time but still really glad I got the UD3H.

 

[infoiltrator]

For future reference
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Nylon-Mot...ase_Accessories_Tool_Kits&hash=item519ed96c61

Do not know where else to find these, delete if improper post, meant as example