ASRock Z87 Extreme4 or Gigabyte Z87X-UD3H?

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FabTheZen

FabTheZen

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Oct 17, 2013
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Hi everyone,
In the last few weeks I've been busy studying for my PC upgrade, consising in a new CPU with all the needed components for it to function optimally. I found out that I won't be able to buy a new video card since i'm going to spend quite a bit solely for CPU+MoBo+PSU+RAM! :ouch:

On to the topic now: I've reached a stable configuration for now, but I found out that GB Z87X series is being advised very much (even in tonymacx86 CustoMac guide), while in the D3H incarnation is technically offering less than the ASRock Z87 Extreme4.

For what I understand, the UD3H is offering more power phases (8x2 vs D3H's 8), but i the Extreme4 sits in the middle with its good quality 12 phases, which is enough for me. What I need to know is: do I need to buy the UD3H and pay the (30€ here) premium to get more reliabilty and time-proofing? I'm willing to pay it if it's for a better product!

I'm planning to mainly game and work, so I need a reliable and a bit of a time-proof machine. I'm going to overclock eventually, when I'll need more "juice". The plan is the following:
CPU Intel 4670K, MoBo ASRock Z87 Extreme4, PSU Seasonic S12II 620W, RAM 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz.

Please, help a poor guy who's whacking his head for weeks on his upgrade! Thanks :ouimaitre:
 
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From the review it seems it has better performance compared with the Asus Z87-K and the GB Z87X-D3H, but the conclusions say it's not really a suggested buy because of the UEFI changing more settings at once.... Do you suggest the Extreme4 for the better performance? Are there any other problems I should be aware of?
 
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The point is that there is a small difference in the performance from low to mid range MB. Here is other review for the ud3H http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/Z87X-UD3H/1.html, I think you will not notice the difference in the real word usage. Just buy the ASRock Z87 Extreme4 for good price.
 
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OK, thank you, but what do I lose choosing the ASRock? Is the UEFI better in the Gigabyte? I care about compatibility and tweakability, is there any difference in that field?
 
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yes, they are the difference in the field. For me I don't like the uefi for the asrock MB, some time I changed back to the old BIOS version when I build the PC for friend, but don't make up your mind base on my opinion, read more by yourself.
 
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OK Thank you very much for your opinions, they're very valuable. Anyway, I wish somebody else would join to give their point of view, so for now I'll consider the question open!
 
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Hi again, I'm now in the opposite situation. The store isn't selling the Extreme4 anymore (now that I was convinced!), but I can find the Z87X-UD3H at 145,60€ [about 30 more than the Extreme4 was]. On amazon the Extreme4 is 140€, so I consider them on the same price. These days I've been studying a lot more about mobos, and found out that the GB has better VRMs, so for me it should be painless choosing the Gigabyte mobo instead of the ASRock one. Do you think I'm going to lose some value?
 
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Cin19, thank you for all the answers you gave me.
Guess what, the Extreme4 is back in stock!
After a thorough research about the mobos, I found someone disagreeing with your (and my) point, stating that ASRock's VRMs are of bad quality.
You can find the thread at anandtech forums, just Google "Z87 extreme4 aesthetics" (look at later posts).
I can't just say he's nuts, since he has good points, you fan see at sinhardware's VRM list that ASRock is using hybrid/analog VRMs which mean less quality. Would the Extreme4 last me less longer?
 
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Yes, some manufacturers do that, marketing like the SATAIII HDD, some of the SSD labeled with SATAIII but they are not real SATAIII type, and some the PSU too because they not match the real wattage, you can find a lot of them.
And the author who is same person in the sinhardware, I think, has other an article "Analog Vs Digital PWMs" http://sinhardware.com/index.php/vrm-articles/113-digital-vs-analog-pwms/74-analog-vs-digital-pwms so as long as you don't oc like crazy, you will be fine because you don't let the MB( VRM) works under very hard conditions, then most MB will last longer. Here is other review from toms hardware, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-express-motherboard-review,3582.html just like they said : "When Picking A Winner Is Almost Impossible". That is why I pick the cheaper and available one.
 
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But will the PC gain from the better VRMs in the UD3H on stock clocks, for example having lower temperatures than the Extreme4, or does the Extreme4 just have better value for people willing to do only mild OC?
 
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OK Thank you! I'll just ask something more specific at some overclocking forums 😉
You've been very kind with me, thank you again! See you around the web and happy new year!
 
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