Best Broadwell-E Motherboard for Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

pcsuperhero

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Jul 11, 2012
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I am planning to build a digital audio workstation (DAW) PC with i7 6850k (Broadwell-E) as my processor. I am planning to have it at 3.6Ghz (stock speed) at baseline and overclock to ~4.0GHz only as needed during audio production. I will be using one of Corsair's hydro AIOs as my cooling solution. I will have 64GB RAM with quad channel (virtual instruments can take up a ton of memory). I won't have a high-end GPU since I won't be gaming on this PC (I have a PS4 for that).

I've been having trouble finding a good X99 motherboard for my Broadwell-E processor. I have previously used ASUS motherboards in my previous builds but the reviews of most of the boards are 4/5 stars at best. For example, the ASUS X99 ii Deluxe received 3.5 stars on Amazon with many negative reviews (eg, booting issues, not lasting a month, almost damaging other components). It scares crap out of me from purchasing one of their boards. I am not sure about other brands such as MSI, Gigabyte, Asrock since I have not used their products before.

I need an ATX motherboard that will last me at least 5 years and can overclock my CPU on-the-go to reasonable levels as needed. Aesthetic will be a bonus since I will have a side-panel window on my chassis. What are some good X99 motherboards that can fit my needs?
 
Solution
I don't put much in user reviews, to many time you read through them and there is no real problem, they didn't update the BIOS, are mismatching DRAM and CPU, bad PSUs, etc. Basically new builders that don't know what they are doing and compounded here (with X99) by going to the most advanced desktop platform). I've been looking at the Deluxe II also and it looks good, the Rock's Fatal1ty Gaming killer is in the game as is there WS mobo. Will be looking into them more this weekend, going with a 6900K

iamacow

Admirable
After owning many motherboards from every brand (even ones that don't exist anymore), I must say ASUS is hands down the best. Peoples personal reviews are worthless because half the time they are just writing a review with basic knowledge or just whatever marketing says. Look at the professional reviews.

Every ASUS motherboard I bought in the last 10 years still works, yet every single one from other companies have received an RMA or just thrown in the garbage after failing USB ports, PCIE Slots and stability issues (*COUGH ASROCK COUGH*).
 

pcsuperhero

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Jul 11, 2012
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What has been your experience with MSI motherboards? I have been looking at the MSI X99A Gaming Pro Carbon: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130934&cm_re=msi_gamer_pro-_-13-130-934-_-Product
It received 4/5 stars on both NewEgg and Amazon.
 

pcsuperhero

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Jul 11, 2012
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I don't have a rigid budget but of course, lower the price, the better. If I am spending a lot (over $350) on a motherboard, I better be sure it is a reliable product. With that said, I am a little dubious about spending $420 on an item (the Asus X99 ii Deluxe) that received 3.5 stars on Amazon with 23% off them being 1 star. It does not look like the other X99 Asus motherboards such as the X99-A ii received better reviews. I am trying very hard to like the Asus X99 ii series since its features look so great on paper. But the reviews....there are even people on there saying that they have been faithful to Asus product up until the X99 series happened.

Also, I am not planning to blow over $500 on a workstation motherboard since I am not building a server or anything that requires it to be running 24/7.

 
Another vote for Asus if your budget allows. The one negative thing I will say about them is their RMA process. While their products have given me less headaches over the years than most others, when something does go wrong I've had nothing but bad experiences with getting an RMA to go smoothly. Asrock I've had mostly good experiences with in genera but when stuff does go wrong, their support for RMA's have been great.

These are of course purely personal experiences and far less builds a year than Tradesman.
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
I don't put much in user reviews, to many time you read through them and there is no real problem, they didn't update the BIOS, are mismatching DRAM and CPU, bad PSUs, etc. Basically new builders that don't know what they are doing and compounded here (with X99) by going to the most advanced desktop platform). I've been looking at the Deluxe II also and it looks good, the Rock's Fatal1ty Gaming killer is in the game as is there WS mobo. Will be looking into them more this weekend, going with a 6900K
 
Solution

pcsuperhero

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Jul 11, 2012
38
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10,530
I just found out that the Asus X99 ii Deluxe is $20 off today on NewEgg. If I do go with this motherboard, do you think it would be worth it to spend additional $50 on two year warranty extension (in addition to the 3 years already included)?
 

iamacow

Admirable
I haven't bought an extended warranty ever. But I might have to rethink that if I go non ASUS again. I've only owned 2 MSI motherboards and they haven't given me any problems. It's still to early to say, they are only 3ish years old.