My big list V2

[overshocks]

When I see ASRock boards in the wild that have survived intact for more than two years, I'll consider it. Until then I only see ASRock as a low budget choice.

I say "survive intact" because I have seen ASRock boards with faulty parts, such as Ethernet, go for 4 years.

MSI gets great reviews as well. Reviews don't assess reliability.

Let me ask you this:
How many people come to the forums looking to upgrade, that have machines 4 years old or more, where those machines have motherboards made by ASRock, MSI, etc.?

I smell a poll in my future.....

Ah here it is

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/263479-30-working-motherboard-years

LOL +1 man. asrock blows IMHO, although they are owned by ASUS

btw, good list

 

[Proximon]

The result of my poll was pretty surprising though There were a lot of ASRock votes. Not very scientific, but it was enough for me to recommend some ASRock boards.

These days, I look very closely at voltage regulation on boards I recommend.... that reminds me, I need to put this link into my guide:

Hardware Secret's "Everything You Need to Know About The Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit"
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/616

 

[dndhatcher]

I am surprised you have the HAF 932 in your list but missed the 922. Thought its labelled a mid-tower and priced to compete with the Antec 900, its only an inch shorter and less deep than then 932 but is 1 inch wider so its internal volume is the same.




PS - unfortunately two of your monitor links are now inactive.

 

[akash3656]

Wait up, I have an objection to the ASUS P7P55D because OP put it under CF. That board only had 1 PCIe X16 and PCIe X4. Definitely not a a ideal CF solution in my opinion.

 

[Proximon]

Thanks to both of you, changes made.

On the HAF, I think it's ugly but effective, would rather not link the 922

 

[akash3656]

Oh, um another mistake (actually more of a typo), under high-end P55, you linked the P7P55D Deluxe, but named it P7P55D in the forum. and under P45, you linked a GA-EP45-UD3P but named it only Gigabyte. The ASRock P45XE and GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P is deactivated in newegg. The rest of the Intel boards are fine (meaning link the correct board).

 

[Zinosys]

Hey Proximon! AC just released MX-3 compound! It's supposedly really good!

Also, what about the GA-EX58-UD5?

 

[Zinosys]

Thanks to both of you, changes made.

On the HAF, I think it's ugly but effective, would rather not link the 922

Amen. I think the 932 is best for water cooling, and the 1200 (Which I have) is best for air.

The 1200 has perfect Push/pull/lift airflow, but the 932 is a little strange...

 

[donfm]

I noticed the first 3 GPU's on your list were no longer available at Newegg. Can you provide some alternatives in the mid range that aren't over $200? Thanks

 

[Proximon]

Fixed. For under $200 you can get either a 5770 with DX 11, or a faster 4890 without.

 

[donfm]

Fixed. For under $200 you can get either a 5770 with DX 11, or a faster 4890 without.

Thank you and thank you for taking the time to make this thread. It is very informative. I realize it's hard to keep up with all the technology it changes from day to day it seems...

 

[MrDrift]

in australian stores
you should add MSY Technology
Great value computer hardware store

 

[aussie123]

^+1
Little late, [strike]but another Australian store is [/strike]Umart Online, just a bit more expensive, if not the same price as MSY.

Edit: Strike OP already added them.

 

[Proximon]

I made some updates. There are new LGA 1156 boards out that have Lotes sockets.

 

[requiemsallure]

Just a mention i think the P7P55D-E PRO should be on the list.

Full SATA III and Full USB3.0

 

[Proximon]

Yes I have been neglecting this list lately... on vacation now so I should get to it soon.

 

[Userremoved]

I'm sorry if your still on vacation but here is another NCIX division in Canada called BestDirect (http://www.bestdirect.ca/).

 

[JE_D]

Add these Canadian retailers
Tigerdirect.ca
Canadacomputers.com

 

[Userremoved]

Add these Canadian retailers
Tigerdirect.ca
Canadacomputers.com

Canada Computers: Good!
Tiger Direct.ca: bloated!

 

[Proximon]

Made some updates, but much more needs to be done.

 

[Userremoved]

Ok then: In Canada there is a store named The Source (by Circuit City) but it's not owned by Circuit City anymore so I don't know if it's as good as Circuit City.

 

[Fred B]

Thank you Proximon. Your guides are extremely informative and a great help. When I finish absorbing them and make my picks, I'll post them on this forum, using the template you supplied.

Regards,
FredB

 

[varis]

Awesome

But "This is a very authoritative thread on monitors" doesn't work - takes you to Anandtech forums main page.

For SSD recommendations, maybe update Vertex to Vertex 2 and/or Intel G2 drives?

 

[Proximon]

I really would like to update this soon... I didn't see your comment Varis, because I lost the flag on this post. Something that happens quite a bit to me.

I'll be sure to fix that. The Anandtech thread is out of date now anyway.

 

[Highpass46]

senseless quote removed