ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Vs. ASUS P67 Sabertooth

[Metals]

Hello! Hope you're all well.

Ok, so I've been using an AMD Phenom II x 4 965 BE for the past 3 years now. I think it's finally time for an upgrade. I'm getting the following:

1) i5 2500K
2) Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 OR P67 Sabertooth

I need help regarding my motherboard choice. Both are going to cost me around 120 USD. I've heard the Sabertooth has some issues with the thermal sensors and that the plastic shell actually increases temperatures without the 50mm fan installed or a downwards blowing CPU cooler. I don't really have any special requirements from the motherboard. My requirements are:

1) USB 3.0 (Which both of them have)
2) Should overclock well (which both of them do)
3) USB 3.0 front panel header (again, both have this I believe)
4) eSATA (Both have this as well)

So, I'm pretty confused about with one to go for. Which one of these would you recommend and for what reason, apart from "Get the Z77, it's newer"?

Looking forward to your answers. Thanks.

 

[MauveCloud]

I think that 120 USD for a P67 Sabertooth is a used price - the price for a new one is more like $170, whereas the ASRock you can get new for $120.

 

[Metals]

Yup, I'm quoting used prices for both. ASrock Z77 Extreme 4 costs 155 USD here (new), and new P67 Sabertooths aren't available here.

 

[MauveCloud]

Yeah, if they're both used for about the same price, that's a tough call. One thing I notice is that the Sabertooth P67 lacks rear video ports (which are pointless if you use discrete video) and instead packs the space with more total USB ports (and a second eSATA port, though they run at 3Gb/s compared to the 6Gb/s listed for the ASRock)

 

[Metals]

Hmmm, I didn't notice that. Even though the rear video ports are pointless to most, they can be useful in a pinch (GPU died, bread-boarding). I'm inclined to get the Z77 because of the 6Gb/s you mentioned as the Asrock's eSATA speeds. But then, who uses SATA3-capable devices externally
So... they're both practically the same, so should I go for the one that's prettier?