Motherboard search

[acidman1]

I am in the market for a new motherboard. I will be using it mostly for gaming but I have no idea what to look for. Not really bothered about specific brands.
Requirements:
Socket LGA 1155
DDR3 1600+
2x PCIx
Sata 3

Price range R2k or less. Looking for best bang for you buck and hassle free purchase.

What would you recommend?

 

[GreyBush]

Check out the Asrock Fata1ty range.

 

[Mariuspay]

Check out the Asrock Fata1ty range.

+1 Great bang for buck!

 

[acidman1]

Thanks, this should do?

 

[AlmightyBender]

Thanks, this should do?

No, Takealot is very expensive with components. Try this http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-p8z77-v-lx-lga1155-intel-z77-atx-desktop-motherboard.html

Or the same ASRock board for R400 less: http://www.wootware.co.za/asrock-fatal1ty-z77-performance-lga1155-intel-z77-atx-desktop-motherboard.html

 

[acidman1]

I have never bought from Wootware but that for that price difference I will definitely give them a go.

 

[mika1000]

takealot include shipping and you can have it the next day if its in stock. and you dont have any problems with rma at takealot either. they arrange and pay for pickup where other shops you got to pay for it yourself.

you can try rebeltech.co.za. even better prices than wootware.

and you can look at the MSI Z77 mobo's. great prices and rock solid performance.

 

[acidman1]

I did check rebeltech but they are sold out.

 

[GreyBush]

I did check rebeltech but they are sold out.

Ask Takealot to check availability for you on the one you linked to, if it isn't in-stock I always treat their lead times with a bit of caution. Generally if one place is out of stock they all are as they use common suppliers.

 

[AlmightyBender]

I have never bought from Wootware but that for that price difference I will definitely give them a go.

They are fantastic, I have purchased from them countless times

 

[acidman1]

I have done that and waiting for a reply from both Wootware and Takealot.

 

[mika1000]

I did check rebeltech but they are sold out.

pcnatics.co.za - give them a try. they import/distribute ASrock into SA

 

[NomNom]

I would recommend you this one also one of the best bang for your buck motherboards at the moment:

ASRock Z77 PRO3 - R1,212.00

Product Page

Review - Tweaktown

Use the rest for a better CPU / GPU.

 

[CataclysmZA]

Requirements:
Socket LGA 1155
DDR3 1600+
2x PCIx
Sata 3

Why the two PCI-Express slots specifically? Do you need dual-GPU capability in future?

 

[acidman1]

Why the two PCI-Express slots specifically? Do you need dual-GPU capability in future?

Yes when upgrading I would look at dual GPU first.

 

[NomNom]

Yes when upgrading I would look at dual GPU first.

Then take note that the ASRock Z77 PRO3 only supports crossfire and not SLI.

 

[CataclysmZA]

Yes when upgrading I would look at dual GPU first.

In that case...

Requirements:
Socket LGA 1155
DDR3 1600+
2x PCIx
Sata 3

Price range R2k or less.

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 @ R1695 (review)
or
GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H @ R2023 (review)

The ASRock board has more SATA ports, slightly better layout and some really nice software features. The UD3H is considered the bargain overclocker's motherboard and it's capable of some pretty insane stuff. Feature-wise it's about equal, but its definitely more performance-orientated.

Both have two PCI-E 3.0 slots, so you're covered for upgrades and multi-GPU in the future. Both have USB 3.0, both will overclock most K-series processors very nicely and both look good. Both will also handle Crossfire or SLI setups.

Also, if you're on the fence and wondering about Haswell, it won't be as much of a difference for buyers in the high-end. Haswell will only be about 10% faster in some benchmarks and will consume less power and boards will be slightly better featured. All SATA slots should be of the 6GB/s standard and we'll see some more USB 3.0 ports, but that's pretty much it as far as we've been shown.