Anybody else sick of crappy motherboards?

[doubled]

I currently have 4 $250+ motherboards that were or continue to be sold advertising features that don't work. I have ALL of these problems on the high end boards, plus a few on low end boards where I would expect issues.

2 Ethernet ports, only one works
IDE channel that doesn't work
On-board raid that doesn't work
Motherboards that auto-detect memory at the wrong speeds
Motherboards that auto-detect supported processors at the wrong speeds
Motherboard with CPU-Free that does have a CPU multiplier setting in the BIOS, that changes in the BIOS on an unlocked (EE) CPU, but does not actually affect processors speed.
Certain chipset brand that runs so hot it's impossible to run stable without additional fans.
Bios update to fix an issue, updated per manufacturers instructions followed to the letter, rendered mobo dead.

Everything I inquire about is a "chipset limitation"......yet there is no mention of it in revised manuals or advertisements.

The forums are full of angry people with parts that are no good, and online consumer reviews with 20+% DOA or failure within 2 weeks.....

Issues that get addressed with Bios updates are one thing. Issues that never get dealt with are another.

What responsibility do these manufacturers have to actually deliver what we pay for? There are motherboards out there selling for over $300 that have known issues. Are people suing? Are people working with manufactures to get replacement parts? Are people sending these boards back on RMA? I have not had any luck sending back parts on known issues because a replacement part will have the same issue. I am just expected to take it as it is. How do they write a manual and not actually check to make sure everything works? We wouldn't accept a car if a door didn't work, a transmission didn't shift or a start when we turned the key, why do we take it when its a motherboard?

Newegg has the best return policy I’ve ever come across, but even they are tired of getting motherboards back because they don’t work. They have changed their motherboard policy from 1 year to 30 days because it’s costing them so much money.

I have a failed part in for RMA right now. I called yesterday and was told at least 6 more weeks, fin addition to the 4 weeks I’ve been waiting, or I can substitute a part of 1/3 value today. I think I-we deserve better. Am I just expecting too much?

 

[firetatoo]

a word: if they are selling you a $300 mobo, they saw you coming a mile away.
they call it the bleeding edge for a reason.
if you want rock solid, you gotta go for established tech. not for the newest, all new stuff is flawed and YOU are the proving ground. you can also probably blame intel for changing too many things to fast. i would have build intel for my last system, but the motherboard compatibilty issue was too much for me.

 

[cardio]

Welcome to the wide, wide world of computing. If it was easy it wouldn't be much of a challenge and we would all have too much time on our hands. Seriously, I don't have those problems to any real degree and I buy the latest and hopefully greatest parts available. I do read quite a bit before I choose, though.

 

[MadHacker]

Ethernet ports, only one works - enable other in bios or if it is RMA the board, problem fixed
IDE channel that doesn't work - enable in bios or if it is RMA the board, problem fixed
On-board raid that doesn't work - RMA
Motherboards that auto-detect memory at the wrong speeds = set them manualy...
Motherboards that auto-detect supported processors at the wrong speeds - flash bios, to get supported processors to work, or RMA it.

why would you bother to keep all this failing equipment and not RMA it?
if they are selling you sub $300 motherboards... they have a realy good RMA system. I have RMA'd my boards many times, some due to jut up and failing, some.. because they don't swim to well.
but I always get it RMA'd then the problem is gone.

 

[evongugg]

Can you tell us which motherboards these are?

 

[chunkymonster]

After that rant, why not spill the beans and tell us what maker and model of mobos you are talking about.

I can't help but wonder how many of your issues are PEBCAK.

I learned a long time ago to not buy the first prodcution run of a mobo. Thanks for reminding me of why I wait until after there have been at least two BIOS updates before I buy a particular mobo.

 

[MadHacker]

... Thanks for reminding me of why I wait until after there have been at least two BIOS updates before I buy a particular mobo.

what difference does bios revisions do... wait a week and you will have a new one...
it's the board revisions you have to worry bout.

 

[TSIMonster]

I have been pleased with most motherboards I have ever purchased. I just think you need to pick the right one for the application.

 

[chunkymonster]

what difference does bios revisions do... wait a week and you will have a new one...
it's the board revisions you have to worry bout.

It's just been my experience that after a couple/few BIOS updates most of the kinks have been worked out. Generally speaking, a BIOS update ensures/improves the baseline functionaility of the chipset. And, for me it's a combo of the chipset and mobo maker that prompts me to purchase a board, features are secondary reasons.

A board revision is altogether different. If a mobo maker updates the board from 6ph to 8ph power, or relocates some capacitors, or use different VRM's, it can vastly improve the stability and reliability of the board. But a board revision is still uses the same chipset and offers the same baseline functionality as previous revisions. And even then, the board revision may need a couple of BIOS updates to work out the kinks.

 

[doubled]

Ethernet ports, only one works - enable other in bios or if it is RMA the board, problem fixed
IDE channel that doesn't work - enable in bios or if it is RMA the board, problem fixed
On-board raid that doesn't work - RMA
Motherboards that auto-detect memory at the wrong speeds = set them manualy...
Motherboards that auto-detect supported processors at the wrong speeds - flash bios, to get supported processors to work, or RMA it.

why would you bother to keep all this failing equipment and not RMA it?
if they are selling you sub $300 motherboards... they have a realy good RMA system. I have RMA'd my boards many times, some due to jut up and failing, some.. because they don't swim to well.
but I always get it RMA'd then the problem is gone.

Ethernet port, Raid and IDE channel don't work, period. Widely documented, and manufacturer won't issue RMA because a new one won't work either. As soon as they say ‘Chipset limitation”, they seem to be off the hook.

Not all motherboards allow you to set memory speed manually. Some do, others allow you to change it but fix mem speed to FSB.....which is fine if it picks memory correctly, but not if it doesn't. Example, mobo sets 800 memory at 533. You can choose between 2 ratios, but chances are you are either going to over clock the CPU or under clock the memory to less then optimum values. Yes, I knew over clocking was limited, but I assumed it would see the memory correctly. I researched before I bought, purchased SUPPORTED AND QUALIFIED parts to the manufacturers manual, but still got a mobo that didn’t work right. other mobo sees memory as 800? I did RMA that one yesterday.

I've researched the problems I am using for examples. There is no "fix" for any of them. Its product that was put to market without being fully tested. I've built hundreds of computers; these are not driver or bios issues. These are proven hardware incompatibility issues. When you buy a mobo with capability of 12 sata/pata devices and 2 types of on-board Raid, I'm sure not every combination of devices gets checked by every user. I run my stuff for a year and recycle my parts to friends and family. Some time you only find out later that features you didn’t use don’t work. I bought another board yesterday that has no reviews. It’s fine, I’ll test everything and send it back if it doesn’t work right. I found out the IDE channel didn't work in the process of building a file server. I had run all Sata, but now wanted to use up 4 old IDE drives for storage. I guess not without an IDE controller card

I don't want to bring brand into the mix, because all have boards with what seem to be more issues recently than in the past, and my issues are with 3 different brands. My question was of a more global in nature, as in: why do we put up with it? Sure I can RMA and wait 2-3 months for a replacement.....or stab in a NIC, sound card or storage controller card. But I'd rather have boards (premium) like we used to get 3-4 years ago when everything worked. If there is a hardware issue it should be dealt with promptly, as in: advance replacement or substitution vs. 2-3 months IMO.

Sounds like no one else is concerned, guess I'll just have to suck it up.

 

[doubled]

After that rant, why not spill the beans and tell us what maker and model of mobos you are talking about.

I can't help but wonder how many of your issues are PEBCAK.

By that statement I assume you don't build many computers?

I learned a long time ago to not buy the first prodcution run of a mobo. Thanks for reminding me of why I wait until after there have been at least two BIOS updates before I buy a particular mobo.

You got me, I like to be the first kid on the block. Like I said, I don't mind BIOS updates as long as issues get resolved. That is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about product that has been out 1-2 years.

 

[KyleSTL]

some.. because they don't swim to well.

Absolutely priceless. I want a story to accompany such a wonderful quote.

But, OP, he's right, if it doesn't work the way they say it should (within the warantee period), RMA it! How hard it that.
If you're spending too much and not getting much out, stop the bleeding by adopting technology after it's been proven.

 

[soloman02]

If you a buying a $300 motherboard, it is almost guaranteed that it has the option for you to manually set the RAM speed, and the individual timings. You are probably not looking in the right spot.

 

[MadHacker]

I bought a cheep $80 board for my wife... onboard video... doesn't overclock worth a darn...
but i didn't buy it for beeing able to set memory timming or any of that...
though overclocking a little bit would have been nice...
MB+onboard grafix = non overclocker..
but the wife is happy...
I find with PCs in general you get what you pay for... pay cheep, get cheep, Pay a high price... and you usualy get good product with good service.

OP. are any of those boards 680i boards... had to RMA one of those just because it wouldn't work well with quadcore. evga, I find the 6x0i series a little more finnicky...

as for on board raid... will never use it...
board fails you have to get same boardjust to get the data back...
I look forward to a board failing... Upgrades

 

[chookman]

I can't help but wonder how many of your issues are PEBCAK.

Haha havent heard that one in a while.

RTFM is another good one to follow

if you do a search on this forum for one or all of those issues, you will find MANY people post threads about the same issues with a range of motherboards and the solution more often than not is there is something thats not set correctly.

I have built plenty of machine both for myself and for others and the only problems ive really ever had was something was set incorrectly and a google search (or similar) revealed the solution.

You should also research your hardware selections carefully, this has saved me from a few bad purchases.

there is a similar thread to this here http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/247486-30-nvidia-lack-790i that baggs out NVIDIA because of the shonky products when i believe most issues were PEBCAK or lack or research.

 

[chunkymonster]

By that statement I assume you don't build many computers?

You should never ass-u-me. Maybe that's the issue, rather than PEBCAK.

If it is truly a "chipset limitation" then is the mobo maker really at fault?

If this is an issue you feel strongly enough about, then why not divulge the mobo models and makers to save other folks the same frustrations? At least tell what chipset you are having "limitations" with.

Seriously tho, you should list the mobos/chipsets your having issues with. Then you might actually get more of the response you're looking for. If not, I get the feeling you just want to vent and complain. And if that's the case, you will just have to suck it up.

 

[doubled]

You should never ass-u-me. Maybe that's the issue, rather than PEBCAK.

If it is truly a "chipset limitation" then is the mobo maker really at fault?

Yes, If they advertise a function on release that doesn't work, certainly. Like a Marvel IDE/Sata controller that doesn't work with a 975X Intel chipset on an Asus mobo. They send out Driver and Bios updates to pacify, but never resolve.

Nforce 4Sli, 680i......many, many documented issues with those chipsets and motherboards, even some starting on fire.

Abit, Gigabyte they all have lemons. Sure would be nice if Intel would license SLI.

If this is an issue you feel strongly enough about, then why not divulge the mobo models and makers to save other folks the same frustrations? At least tell what chipset you are having "limitations" with.

Seriously tho, you should list the mobos/chipsets your having issues with. Then you might actually get more of the response you're looking for. If not, I get the feeling you just want to vent and complain. And if that's the case, you will just have to suck it up.

I think I got my answer. It sounds like I'm not forcing the issue enough. I guess I need to demand an "upgrade" rather than a repair. I'm going to ratchet up my efforts.

Thanks

 

[doubled]

I can't help but wonder how many of your issues are PEBCAK.

Haha havent heard that one in a while.

RTFM is another good one to follow

if you do a search on this forum for one or all of those issues, you will find MANY people post threads about the same issues with a range of motherboards and the solution more often than not is there is something thats not set correctly.

I have built plenty of machine both for myself and for others and the only problems ive really ever had was something was set incorrectly and a google search (or similar) revealed the solution.

You should also research your hardware selections carefully, this has saved me from a few bad purchases.

there is a similar thread to this here http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/247486-30-nvidia-lack-790i that baggs out NVIDIA because of the shonky products when i believe most issues were PEBCAK or lack or research.

You must have reading comprehension issues, because I've stated that the mobo manufactures have aknowledged the issues.

 

[chookman]

You must have reading comprehension issues, because I've stated that the mobo manufactures have aknowledged the issues.

Would not this come under a lack of research on your behalf before buying the product? If people online have stated the issues with the particular brands, types and then the manufacturer says there is a problem they are aware of would you simply not shy away from that particular product?

Buying blindly is almost as bad as installing blindly.

 

[MadHacker]

Would not this come under a lack of research on your behalf before buying the product? If people online have stated the issues with the particular brands, types and then the manufacturer says there is a problem they are aware of would you simply not shy away from that particular product?

Buying blindly is almost as bad as installing blindly.

I believe all the information is on the forums.... Now....
but perhaps not when the OP purchased them.

 

[javimars]

i feel your pain! i recently purchased a MSI P35 Neo2-FR (because i fried my ga-p695 ds3 by adding a after market northbridge cooler,because i was bord,.) and when i built my system it wouldn't post for the life of me. it keep giving me memory,memory controller fault.(on the motherboard it has led that tell status of memory)i tried 3 different types of memory, 2 different type of video cards and 3 different cpus (2 diff q6600 and 1 e4300). so i finaly concluded it was DOA and rma'd it. newegg just finally received it after a week and a haf. i now have to wait 3-4 more days for them to process the rma and then finaly wait for them to ship it. this is my 1st doa motherboard and 1st msi motherboard too. im actually afraid of what im going to receive. wish me luck!!!!

 

[bobbknight]

I buy a board often based on what I have used before.
Then based on the features of the board.
The time in market (how long has this board been out and selling).
People in forum discussions, and site reviews.
The CPU I want it to support.
Price.


Everyone here buys a motherboard based on it's features.
Never has anyone ever just walked into a computer parts store and said sell me a $200 motherboard.

If I get a motherboard thats having problems from the first day, it goes right back to the seller, if I can't get any help from the boards maker.

Of all the motherboards I have owned I like Tyan and Asus the most, to bad Tyan has gone to the server market.

 

[firetatoo]

i have a solution!
stop buying motherboards.
sounds like you could use a factory built. i recomend 256mb of RAM (at least).

 

[TimBog]

Well, I for one have to agree with the OP.
I have been building computers for 12 years. If the ones here making the simplistic remarks would have been building them this long you would understand his point.
In the last 2 years the failure rate of new parts has been increasing. I have seen my RMAs in the last year, 2007 outnumber the "TOTAL" returns from the years 1996-2005.
For the remarks that mention "this is the way it is with cutting edge", get a grip. I was never aware I had to be the engineer for Abit, Asus, MSI, and ect. And in the years prior there were very few actual mistakes in a final production part. Now it seems common place. The last big one for the manufacturers was the “Bad Cap”. I don’t believe that one was actually on the motherboard manufacturers fault. But for them to continue using inferior caps till last year is an insult. If you actually think about it, the misguided engineers have had a real problem applying themselves to a quality motherboard since the LGA 775 socket was introduced. Since then your chances to actually purchase a newly released motherboard with confidence have became narrower.
Yes there have always been some incompatibility problems all along but that is not the situation we have now. What we are seeing now are very expensive parts that will not function out of the box. I could only suggest that the retailers post the return\failure rate of each product along with the reviews and specs given on their online marketing layout. That is a common and well known number to almost all larger retailers that purchase these parts for resale. How do I know? I worked in retail management for 10 years! I have seen these numbers on product lines prior to purchasing any large inventory for resale to my customers. Thank God I am no longer in that position where I would have to try and explain this situation to my customers now. I currently do this for myself only and am glad I got out of high volume retail while the quality of parts was still acceptable.

Good Luck with your next motherboard purchase!

 

[systemlord]

Would not this come under a lack of research on your behalf before buying the product? If people online have stated the issues with the particular brands, types and then the manufacturer says there is a problem they are aware of would you simply not shy away from that particular product?

Buying blindly is almost as bad as installing blindly.

You basicly said what was on my mind perfectly chookman, "lack of research".