which z68 mobo worth the price ? confused!!

crazy.wingman

Senior member
Jan 5, 2011
243
0
76
Hi guys,

I am buying the new sandy bridge 2600k.

Confused abt the mobo's.

Asus P8Z68-V DIGI VRM,
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3
Asus Maximus IV GENE-Z
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD4-B3

which is worth the price ? The gene Z has alot of features but was worried if its able to handle the incoming intel's sandy bridge 6core processors.
The gene-z and gigabyte UD4 are for the same price, which one will be the bet ?

I will be using this board for heavy rendering, editing and gaming as well.

Plz need some reviews on these mobo's
 

rosarian007

Senior member
Feb 2, 2000
364
11
81
It all depends on what you want. The Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z is a Micro-ATX Motherboard which means you can use a smaller case.
 

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81
Last I checked, the hexa-core SB was limited solely to the LGA2011 platform. You'll need to wait a few more months for those.
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,449
1,940
126
Last I checked, the hexa-core SB was limited solely to the LGA2011 platform. You'll need to wait a few more months for those.

The OP's initial post seemed to indicate that he'd already determined to go "Sandy Bridge," although he can certainly wait for socket-2011's release. " . . a few months more."

Generally, the mobo-market is competitive enough that you'll get what you pay for when choosing among price alternatives and different models. The prices will bear out differences in the more obvious features like the number of SATA ports and controllers, the number of expansion slots and even how many of those slots you can use at one time for certain purposes -- or which slots will be automatically disabled under those usage choices.

Other factors, like power phases, also fit into the "get what you pay for" price/product ranking.

If this had been the year 2007, I would've bought the ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z. I can still see how it has features I'd like to have, but I really like my P8Z68-V-Pro -- as it is. I chose in advance to limit my needs and wants: I decided I won't be upgrading to an "SLI" or "Crossfire" graphics configuration; I want to minimize power-consumption, maintain data-reliability and at the same time enhance disk performance.

So I don't need a motherboard that has enough PCI-E slots and bandwidth for triple-SLI. I expect to be happy with those decisions two years from now.
 

infoiltrator

Senior member
Feb 9, 2011
704
0
0
Start with a list of features you need, then those you want.
How many add on sockets, which kind?
Do you want heat sink on the VRM?
Legacy connectors, or sockets for adapters, USB3 header, etc.
Which do you feel (brand wise) offers the best warranty and technical service?
Which is prettier? Best brag.
Most familiar BIOS.
Asus seems to have an overclocking edge, Gigabyte easier service.
Generally if you are not overclocking to the limit any mid level board will do. Crossfire or SLI raise the cost some.
 
Last edited:

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81
The OP's initial post seemed to indicate that he'd already determined to go "Sandy Bridge," although he can certainly wait for socket-2011's release. " . . a few months more."

He was wondering if the Gene Z motherboard in the list could "handle the incoming Sandy Bridge 6-core" and it can't because the socket types are different. An important point to make.
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
687
126
I'm kind of confused by all the offerings as well, OP. I'll probably be buying at the end of the month (waiting to see what Bulldozer has to offer) but in all likelihood, will go Intel. I want a good overclocker with plenty of USB 3.0 and SATA III ports. Right now, I'm looking at the Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5, Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD, and the ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe. There are a few boards which are cheaper that look good as well, so I'm still not sure what to do.
 

crazy.wingman

Senior member
Jan 5, 2011
243
0
76
Intel is changing socket again ? this is too sad.

The asus gene z is the best brag but i wanted to go for intels hexa core in future.

I think i'll wait for the bulldozer as it will be a monster of performer, AMD claims so :)

the Asus gene-z is the best buy and good overclocker with some extra feature.
 

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81
LGA2011 is just another workstation socket, like 1366 was. 1155 should support Ivy Bridge, have no idea what Intel's future plans for socket 2011 are.