MSI vs GIGABYTE

[fankoosh]

Hello ppl
I need M.B and I search alot and w8 until z97 come .
But now from what available here im stuck between MSI GAMING 7 &GIGABYTE GAMING 7 .
I was thinking to go with MSI but I wanna know what do u think about these 2 .
Thx in advance

 

[StackOverbuffer]

Yup it's all in Windows. I used Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, installed in in the SSD using DVD drive. I wanted to have it installed as a bootable USB flashdrive, but right off the bat the mobo doesnt detect it. I'm pretty sure that I selected the correct boot order and not the UEFI USB. Once Windows got installed, I had to use the installation disk included in the package since the board can't read flashdrives. There are some drivers from the disk that can't be installed like audio drivers and LAN driver. What I did next is I download the latest drivers using my old computer from the MSI site and save it to my extra hdd, and try to install it from there.

Bios version says 1.6, so I guess I have to update the bios to 1.7 if the procedure above doesn't work

 

[somebodyspecial]

Yup it's all in Windows. I used Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, installed in in the SSD using DVD drive. I wanted to have it installed as a bootable USB flashdrive, but right off the bat the mobo doesnt detect it. I'm pretty sure that I selected the correct boot order and not the UEFI USB. Once Windows got installed, I had to use the installation disk included in the package since the board can't read flashdrives. There are some drivers from the disk that can't be installed like audio drivers and LAN driver. What I did next is I download the latest drivers using my old computer from the MSI site and save it to my extra hdd, and try to install it from there.

Bios version says 1.6, so I guess I have to update the bios to 1.7 if the procedure above doesn't work

Yes, I'd go 1.7 as like I said they don't usually mention every issue a new bios fixes in my experience over 2 decades and 8yrs of pc biz owner. They're just two afraid to admit they fixed 100 things etc in print. I seen MANY things fixed even though it wasn't mentioned in the bios comment on their site and even had the techs at MSI/Gigabyte/Asus etc tell me this directly. I was a reseller for them all so had access to the same guys a lot at the major vendors and they are more free with info when you get to know them as a reseller pushing their products. They would not likely divulge that info to an end user but it's true and I had the REAL fix list a few times for certain trouble cases sent from the tech at a few of these vendors. I remember thinking, jeez, are you shipping beta crap or what?...LOL. But there are so many hardware configs I quickly got over that thought and really appreciate vendors who keep updating bios revisions even if the info is fairly sparse on what they fixed in each one.

I mean how many times would you want to say "fixed usb compatibility...AGAIN" on your product pages? Not more than once I'd say...LOL. I used to use modbin etc to put in my own logo's and see what options were really in there. Dangerous maybe if you don't know a lot about bios settings, but it was nice knowing how to turn on the HIDDEN stuff to tweak things 😉 I haven't done it in years and not suggest people pick up this old habit of mine (many OEM's do it for the logo and to hide features they don't what you messing with by default), just saying it's a way for the curious to find out more about what is inside the bios for real.

Always great to have another PC for driver downloads or problems during a build 😉 Can't get forum help without the internet Desperate people could use a library I guess in some cases. Weird the drivers can't be installed from the mainboard shipped disc. IF you need more help I suggest you post a thread of your own so people see it more and give you more suggestions for your issues directly. Many won't be looking here now. Having said that, good luck, hope you get the issues worked out or can swap to z97! Heck I'd just do that now anyway especially with you having an issue on a brand new z87. Swap it back and call it a day. You already know my thoughts on moving to Gigabyte (heck yeah!) and you're feeling the same way anyway. Nobody can chastise someone for switching to another brand if they're hating life, no matter who they favor. It's about getting the user working, not pushing what you love. I'd happily work with you on the MSI until YOU decide to run to something else or even MSI z97 if you liked msi a lot. I'm more a fan of what WORKS for you than what I like to push based on RMA as a business.

Having said that I won't hide what I have experienced or know about RMA info. People don't fix junk unless the world finds out what the junk is and it starts hurting company X's wallet IE GM would never tell you your car might kill you until everyone found out they really ARE killing you. 🙁 It's sad bean counters rule usually over any thought about customers but that's life these days. We get crap like "so bob, how much do you think it will cost us if we let them die vs. fixing it?" and then "that cheap huh? well just let them die and cover it up, heck we might get lucky anyway and nobody ever finds out or the lawyers will save us". Ouch.