Need rock solid mobo for use with SB 2700K

[500MM]

I've been using an Asrock Z68-pro3-M board since I bought my 2700K CPU back when Z68 was new. The system overclocked well (4.7 GHz on an H60 cooler) and was super stable, except for boot time bugs. This particular board forced me to reconnect either my KB or mouse after boot about 20% of the time (annoying) and doesn't ever like to recognize one of my SSDs after a warm reboot (super annoying) and just refuses to install Ubuntu on a 2TB HDD (nearly a showstopper). These problems remain at stock clockspeeds and settings.

In an attempt to fix the HDD issues, I flashed my firmware but forgot to save all my OC settings. Without those, I'm happy to throw this untested piece of s*** Asrock motherboard out and start over. Thing is, I've been mislead too many times by review sites, including Anand, so I'd really like forum feedback.

Can you guys suggest a good proven board? I'd really like Z77, SATA 3 hot swap support, 1 PCIe3 slot, Virtu, and again, rock solid without annoying bugs and issues. Some low noise audio output would be a nice bonus. I'm willing to spend more if I can get a good sense that it's well used and not at all buggy.

 

[Meghan54]

I hate to be repetitive, but I'd look into the Asus Maximus V Gene. Rock stable, great OC'er, better than decent onboard sound. If you can live with the smaller form factor, it's definitely a keeper motherboard.

I'm also using the AsRock Pro4-M in our kennel as its point-of-sale computer.....very overkill, actually for what it is, but the damned board is quick, seems solid and not cheap.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I've been using an Asrock Z68-pro3-M board since I bought my 2700K CPU back when Z68 was new. The system overclocked well (4.7 GHz on an H60 cooler) and was super stable, except for boot time bugs. This particular board forced me to reconnect either my KB or mouse after boot about 20% of the time (annoying) and doesn't ever like to recognize one of my SSDs after a warm reboot (super annoying) and just refuses to install Ubuntu on a 2TB HDD (nearly a showstopper). These problems remain at stock clockspeeds and settings.

You tried contacting ASRock support?

Also, try flashing to 2.20 BIOS which was released only a couple of days ago.

 

[500MM]

You tried contacting ASRock support?

Also, try flashing to 2.20 BIOS which was released only a couple of days ago.

Sure, I've flashed 2.2 and am working through the issues, but I'd really prefer to find a well tested and reliable motherboard.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Thing is, Z77 boards are relatively new... so it IS hard to find something perfect. It takes some time, to iron out issues and what not. Sometimes another revision.

While something may work 100% for me, you might have issues (due to different components). But generally, if you go for something simple... it should be relatively safe. Simple is good.

 

[500MM]

Yes, that's a good point and the reason I'm waiting for solid feedback before I buy anything. Even the Intel DZ77GA-70K has BIOS bugs and they're known for quality testing.

Regarding simple products, I used to believe they would be of higher quality since they're simple to test. That has not been my experience however, they tend to be cut down versions of high end products, poorly thought out and poorly tested.

Maybe I should look back to Z68 boards as well.

 

[imported_mystro]

The Intel BoxDZ77GA-70K has generally received high marks plus it currently has another year added to it's warranty at newegg.

 

[Phishy714]

+1 on Maximus V Gene

 

[cantholdanymore]

Yes, that's a good point and the reason I'm waiting for solid feedback before I buy anything. Even the Intel DZ77GA-70K has BIOS bugs and they're known for quality testing.

Regarding simple products, I used to believe they would be of higher quality since they're simple to test. That has not been my experience however, they tend to be cut down versions of high end products, poorly thought out and poorly tested.

Maybe I should look back to Z68 boards as well.

Maximus iv then

 

[borisvodofsky]

Only solid TESTED choice is an Asus z68 pro/deluxe,, they've worked out almost all the bugs.

The deluxe and the gene are said to be more capable of 48x+ multiplier, but from what i've seen the voltage requirement is NOT lower on the premium boards, it's still much more chip dependent.

So I don't see the point to shell out big for the paint, but if you like the color, then why not.

And it completely supports PCIE 3.0 should you choose to go ivy bridge in the future.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Only solid TESTED choice is an Asus z68 pro/deluxe,, they've worked out almost all the bugs.

The deluxe and the gene are said to be more capable of 48x+ multiplier, but from what i've seen the voltage requirement is NOT lower on the premium boards, it's still much more chip dependent.

So I don't see the point to shell out big for the paint, but if you like the color, then why not.

And it completely supports PCIE 3.0 should you choose to go ivy bridge in the future.

Yeah . . . I don't get a chance to build a new machine for every gen CPU and board release. I would not have bought my P8Z68 board in June '11 if I'd followed my usual "rule-of-thumb:" Wait for BIOS revisions, watch forum posts, decide when the board has "matured," and make decisions that way

The Z68's were an exception, being a hybrid of the H67 and P67 chipsets. They just didn't seem to have any bugs of a sort that you were sitting on pins and needles waiting for a BIOS fix.

You would think the Z77 boards might be the same way. But then, I'm not going to spend money at the moment just to find out . . .

On the Maximus IV Z68 boards, I think the phase-power design was identical to the cheaper P8Z68-V Pro and Deluxe. There WERE some nice features on the flagship board, and anyone who bought them should feel satisfied. But I haven't missed anything, either.

UPDATE/EDIT for the OP: If Boris and I are turning you toward the ASUS Z68 boards, I need to offer a tip. And . . . BTW . . . the ASRock boards were also good, but as I understand "ASRock" is an ASUS subsidiary. I THOUGHT (from my memory) that there were more troubles with the GIgabyte boards last year.

ANYWAY . . . Save your money if it's a tossup between the P8Z68-V Pro (gen 3 . . whatever) and the "Delucks" version. The "Delucks" has an extra heatsink that apparently doesn't count for much. It comes with a two-port USB front-panel extender designed for the on-board USB 3.0 port, and some other sh-tuff.

But since the "pro" board already has USB 3.0 on the rear I/O panel, you don't need those extras. The "Delucks" front-panel USB box has only two ports, anyway. Instead, cannibalize the spare rear PCI backplate and dual-port USB 3.0 cable; unscrew the plate; buy a $25 USB 3.0 front panel 3.5" hub; run the cable from the mobo to the hub or even hook it up to the cable that comes with the $25 hub. Rubber tape the spare USB 3 port, and you're good to go -- with four ports instead of two.