I7 2600k and Motherboard Choices

[bcontoursvt]

Good day all,

I took the plunge and am returning my AMD FX-6100 and purchased an Intel i7 2600k. I am having a hard time trying to decide which motherboard to purchase.

I am looking at a MB below the $200 delivered cap. Needs to support CrossfireX as I have two Radeon HD6870s. I have some 1600 mhz Corsair Vengeance 16GB RAM. Board needs to have at least 2 SATA III ports for my SSD and my other HDD and at least 6-8 rear USB ports. Extras like bluetooth, displayport, etc... are not dealbreakers either way.

So far, I have managed to locate these boards:

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z68VGEN3/#overview
http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme4%20Gen3
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3853#ov

I like the Asus because of reputation, 8 rear USB ports, Bluetooth, 16-phase power, plenty of fan connectors
I like the ASRock because it seems they throw a lot at you, rear Clear CMOS button, Firewire, V8+4 power phase, front USB 3.0 hub
Gigabyte is on the radar because the board looks sick, 4 (vice 2) SATA III ports, dual bios support

Although I don't plan to CURRENTLY, I like to be able to overclock easily and not ridiculously (4.5<). I care a great deal about reliability as i normally don't upgrade that often (still rocking a Phenom 9550).

Any thoughts on these or any other boards at the sub-$200 price tag?

Thanks,

 

[xtreme5]

get asus in performance and features excellent overclocking stability i myself using asus p8z68 v-pro with 2500k i'm very very happy with m board not problem and all my games running on maxed out.

 

[sosofm]

Theese can be another good choice : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131759
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128507
My advice go with the cheaper because are great motherboards.

 

[bcontoursvt]

Theese can be another good choice : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131759
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128507
My advice go with the cheaper because are great motherboards.

I saw the Asus board but was not too compelled with the Micro ATX board. I think it's a little small and the two HD6870s would be cramped.

The Gigabyte board doesn't look too bad, but how does that compare with the Gigabyte board I listed?

 

[xtreme5]

i'm telling you asus is the choice it has much good features wide space for SLI/CF,ssd caching,switchable onboard graphics,bluetooth etc which the other have don't..

 

[bcontoursvt]

i'm telling you asus is the choice it has much good features wide space for SLI/CF,ssd caching,switchable onboard graphics,bluetooth etc which the other have don't..

Even the Asus model I listed or does it have to be the Maximus Gene-Z?

 

[hillyerm]

I did a recent similar evaluation and decided on the Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 for some of the reasons mentioned above plus the fact that it has 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports rather than the 2 in the P8Z68-V/GEN3. Shopped around and got it for $184.

 

[bcontoursvt]

I did a recent similar evaluation and decided on the Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 for some of the reasons mentioned above plus the fact that it has 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports rather than the 2 in the P8Z68-V/GEN3. Shopped around and got it for $184.

Nice price, where?

 

[hillyerm]

Nice price, where?

SuperBiiz still has it for the same price and free shipping but the $20 coupon good during Cyber Monday week seems to have expired. Coupon code jolly ($5) does work and gets you below $200 and you can also earn fatwallet cash back of 1%.

 

[bcontoursvt]

SO the Asus and Gigabyte boards just arrived with the ASRock expected Monday.

Of the boards listed in my first post, is the consensus still for the Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3?
Does the Gigabyte board even stand a chance?
Is the ASRock worth waiting for?

Thanks,