Just spotted a new mobo line from ECS on Newegg: L33T Gaming

[dmoney1980]

Looks like a new gaming product line from ECS. While the name of the MB line is terrible in my opinion (GANK? Really??), it could be a decent offering. Trouble is ECS hasn't exactly won over the heart of enthusiast gamers recently.

main page: http://www.l337gaming.com/

Newegg z87 mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135357

specs

-2-WAY SLI,3-WAY CFX multi-graphics solution

-12 Phase Power Design

-Up to 200W Thermal Design Power support

-Applied 100% Solid capacitor design to maximize component reliability

-Supports ECS Durathon Technology to ensure the stability, reliability and performance of system. (Triple Density PCB; Extreme Temp Resistance; 1.5K Marathon Test; Superior Solid CAPs)

-ESD Protection prevent computers from electrostatic discharge damage to enhance its durability and lifespan

-15u Gold Contact ensures motherboards longest lifespan, better reliability and excellent contact

-Supports EZ BIOS for tweaking BIOS in Graphical interface within a multi language environment

-ECS MIB X - A friendly interface for overclocking, expecially for gamer

-Supports Bluetooth allows electronic devices to communicate wirelessly

-Supports Wireless LAN allows electronic devices to communicate wirelessly

-Dual Gigabit LAN for a flexible network solution

-VRD 12.5 Ready

-Supports DirectX 11.1 to enhance graphical performance

-ECS Intelligent EZ Utility : eBLU, eDLU, eOC, eSF

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, ECS has been known as a "cheap" / extreme budget brand for so long, good to see that they are branching out.

I wonder how they compare with Biostar's T-series boards? That's probably their closest true competition. Asus / Gigabyte / MSI still being the top-tier boards.

 

[nwo]

That's a pretty decent price for a board with all the features it has. Not a lot of $200 boards come with 3x PCI-e 16x slots as one of the reviews pointed out. That alone is worth the premium for some people.

 

[wowsza]

eh....ECS....

like virtuallarry said, their reputation pretty much hasn't changed over the past few years. they're kinda like the hyundai of motherboard manufacturers; the product is getting better but people still don't respect the image.

 

[john3850]

If there was a good sale on the ECS I would give it a try.
For years I stayed cleared of asrock till there was sale on a asrock x58
and I got one.

 

[chihlidog]

I dont think I could bring myself to buy a "premium" motherboard from ECS. Motherboards and PSUs are components I WONT skimp on brand, that'd be pretty tough to overcome.

It looks good and has good features, but I think a lot of us will stick with Gigabyte/Asus/EVGA. I've been thinking about ASrock for my next build since they've been getting good feedback for a few years now and seem to be a good budget choice. I think similarly it'll take a year or 2 of good feedback for this line to become accepted.

 

[-slash-]

I'll stick with ASRock. Currently running 6 of their mobos at work and home and have had no issues. I see a Formula OC in my future.

 

[Millerboy3]

eh....ECS....

like virtuallarry said, their reputation pretty much hasn't changed over the past few years. they're kinda like the hyundai of motherboard manufacturers; the product is getting better but people still don't respect the image.

I was just going to ask if this was the case with this brand.

I'll stick with ASRock. Currently running 6 of their mobos at work and home and have had no issues. I see a Formula OC in my future.

I love my ASRock boards as well. I have been building with them specifically with new builds because I loved them so much. But thats also not saying much considering I upgraded from 2 NVIDIA 680i and 780i boards xD

 

[Conroe]

I had a ECS 775 board with a VIA chipset that accepted both DDR and DDR2. I put a BSEL modded E4500 in it. It ran F@H for years. A few years ago it became unstable. Caps were dying. For a low end board it did everything I wanted it to do and for the price it performed to expectations. But you know I have a Asus P5WDH that has failing caps too and it was an expensive mobo when I bought it.

A lot of people dog on ECS but not many seem to have ever used them. But yeah, it is a low end brand. They probably could make a high end board though.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Do people still say L337? I thought that got old in 2003.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Do people still say L337? I thought that got old in 2003.

There has apparently been a p***ing contest between enthusiasts as to whether ASRock is a subsidiary of ASUS, a spinoff of ASUS, or something else.

Meanwhile, I wonder. How is a "gaming" motherboard different from an "overclocking" or high-end motherboard? Would it be better, the same, or worse?

 

[schmuckley]

There has apparently been a p***ing contest between enthusiasts as to whether ASRock is a subsidiary of ASUS, a spinoff of ASUS, or something else.

Meanwhile, I wonder. How is a "gaming" motherboard different from an "overclocking" or high-end motherboard? Would it be better, the same, or worse?

"gaming" motherboards are weaker than "overclocking" ones.

i.e.AsRock Fatal1ty series are "gaming" ..the quality of the mosfets,capacitors, and inductors is not as good as the ones on OC Formula.

Biostar uses good mosfets and chokes all the time.

I think I read the other day that ECS made all the EVGA boards...don't quote me on that..

 

[nenforcer]

If you are offended by the GANK Drone / Domination / Machine name you can always opt for a KILLSTEAL (Intel) or AGGRO (AMD) series board in the same L337 series.

BTW I always though "GANK" mean to steal. At least it did in my part of the woods.