Which Z87 board out of these 3?

[BlazenDemon]

I'm working on putting together parts for a new build and i basically have everything figured out except which mobo to get.

I'm stuck between
MSI Z87 GD65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130692

MSI Z87 G-45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130693

ASRock Z87 Extreme3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157372

I had a previous build with an MSI board for SB it was a P67A-GD65 and it served me well so i do have some loyalty to MSI especially their Twin Frozr Cards but the ASRock could save me a few bucks and it has two PCI Express 3.0 x16 lanes while the MSI boards have 3 PCI Express 3.0 lanes at x16/x4/x4 or x8/x8/x4) Now correct me if I am wrong but would the ASRock run an SLI setup at x16/x16 or would it be like x16/x8. I don't have much use for 3 PCI express lanes because i dont plan on xfire though i may decide to SLI.

Also i was curious about what the 12 Digital Phase (360W+ CPU Power) (GD65)
and 8 Digital Phase (180W+ CPU Power) (G-45) meant for the MSI boards listed under features. Does this serve any particular benefit or just some marketing ploy?

I must admit though the MSI boards have bloody cool heatsinks on the board compared to the ASRock.

 

[funguseater]

Hi

The MSI boards are listing the max CPU wattage that the board can handle, say for an overclock, I beleive. The 65 is the best of the 3 for OCing, I have seen good reviews for the ASRock 4 but havnt heard much about the 3. I'd go for the GD65 if you want to OC at all.

The more phases the more stable your CPU power is.

Have Fun
Fungi

 

[BlazenDemon]

Yeah I was looking at the GD65 as well, it will cost a little more, but i like MSI and i just found out that i can grab the 4770k for $280+tax so basically $300 at microcenter instead of $350 at newegg so that closes the gap anyways.

And i will definitely be looking into OCing not extreme amounts but modestly. Kinda a shame to spend a bunch of benjamins for a nice rig and leave it at stock.

 

[rp_dxn]

if your going for a mild OC, no need for a GD65. But i really cant see any problem if you have a high end board and only go for stock speed. The fact that you have a sexy board that meet your needs, its all good.

If you want to show off your rig, keep away from asrock. MSI's boards are just sexy! But if you can get a gigabyte board, thats a better choice

 

[BlazenDemon]

lol necroed, yeah i think i'll go with the GD65 i have a P67A-GD65 (B3) right now and its been good and still runs, however this is the office rig with a 2600k 8gb and a 6970 and i need something for my room, with GTX 700 series and haswell now is a good time to buy and be ready for Battlefield 4 among other things