Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte P55 board? What to pick?

[keplenk]

I’m planning to upgrade/buy a new computer. I already bought an Intel processor (i7 860), case, PSU (Corsair 650TX), cooler (H50). I’m down to motherboard and SSD. I've posted my SSD question on the Storage thread.


I’m looking for a P55 mobo that has USB 3.0, SATA III 6.0, eSata, and Raid support built-in that will come with my purchased core i7 860. Maybe I’ll do a little bit over clocking or not at all.

I’ve been looking at Newegg and found these options:

Asus:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-620-_-Product

MSI:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...130291&Tpk=p55

Gigabyte:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-417-_-Product

I’ll only be using 1 video card so the P55 bandwidth limitation is a no biggie.
However, I noticed that the MSI and Asus uses the PLX technology for bandwidth.
I know it could only be a marketing stunt but can you give me inputs regarding this?

I also though about buying a mobo that doesn’t have USB 3.0/SATA III integrated then just buy a PCIE add on. However, I heard that the addon does not supporter booting of the USB 3.0 – I would like to boot from USB 3.

I'm thinking about getting the MSI because it uses a realtek audio not like the Asus which uses the VIA one. I heard that the VIA one was not good.

What would you pick on those selections? Unfortunately, these are the only boards that have what I need. All other boards are more than my required budget. ($170).

BTW, I’ll be pairing it up 8gb Ripjaws cl9 ddr3 1600s.

Thank you.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

HardOCP revies:

ASUS P7P55D-E:

The Bottom Line

The ASUS P7P55D-E Premium represents another P55 chipset motherboard from ASUS that is more of the same. Not that more of the same quality and more of the same stability, and more of the same overclockability are bad things. But in the big picture this motherboard is overpriced or undervalued in today's market, take your pick. Heck, there are much better values in the P7P55D line of motherboards alone. I just searched and found 10, yes TEN, different models of "P7P55D" motherboards, one starting at $139.99 with USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s technology on it. Paying an extra $130 for 36 phase power just does not seem worth it, especially when we are still seeing 8 phase power boards do incredible things. I think maybe we have reached critical checkbox mass in that area.

I understand ASUS wanting to hit every price point, but the fact of the matter is that product differentiation is waning in its strata. The P55 chipset just makes for great performing motherboards, even at the $140 mark. It is hard to find one from the likes of ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI that we don't like.

MSI P55-GD65 (This version does not have USB 3.0 or SATA III.)

The Bottom Line
MSI continues it P55 HardOCP Gold Editor’s Choice motherboard trend with the P55-GD65. The GD65 is easily one of the best P55 motherboards we have seen this year and if you consider its $155 price tag with Free Shipping, the value really starts to look great. There is just nothing "bad" to say about the GD65. It is great to see MSI finally make it back to producing some of the best enthusiast motherboards in the world.

The ASUS is cheaper and has an extra heatsink but the MSI has the OC Genie, a Realtek codec, SLI, and a clear CMOS button on the back.

 

[keplenk]

Thank you for your reply.

If I'm not mistaken, the MSI link that I sent is the 2nd gen that has USB 3.0 and SATA III. I think is also uses the PLX technology like the Asus. Unless you're intentionally pointing out the non SATA 3/USB 3 version.

MSI P55A-GD65 with the "A" not plain MSI P55-GD65.

Here's the link again:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Thanks again

 

[jaydeee]

I usually recommend Asus over other brand but for this particular models I would go for MSI. Credit go to its additional features and yeah! chipset too. :awe:

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Thank you for your reply.

If I'm not mistaken, the MSI link that I sent is the 2nd gen that has USB 3.0 and SATA III. I think is also uses the PLX technology like the Asus. Unless you're intentionally pointing out the non SATA 3/USB 3 version.

MSI P55A-GD65 with the "A" not plain MSI P55-GD65.

Here's the link again:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Thanks again

I was. The older model should be similar and in the review it got a HardOCP gold award which is no easy feat.

 

[keplenk]

The MSI board is looking good to me, but a lot of people like jaydeee is suggesting to me on getting the Asus board over MSI.

Decisions decisions.

Anyway, I found this review

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/MSI-P55A-GD65-Motherboard/1057

It looks like that newer gen is stripped down compared to the older one. MSI added some features like SATA III and USB 3, but removed a hell lot over the old one. The physical appearance is also different.

But still, with those features removed, the added features is what I actually am looking for. This board looks golden to me right now. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

 

[nipplefish]

I can vouch for the Asus. My board has been rock solid stable since I built this machine in December, at many different levels of overclock. BIOS is easy to navigate, layout is well-spaced and intelligent (as long as you don't need IDE ).

 

[keplenk]

I can vouch for the Asus. My board has been rock solid stable since I built this machine in December, at many different levels of overclock. BIOS is easy to navigate, layout is well-spaced and intelligent (as long as you don't need IDE ).

Great news. I'm now down to two. Asus or MSI .. ahhh .. its killing me. All of a sudden, I'm now leaning towards Asus. I've had MSI and Gigabyte boards (both were good), so this could a first Asus for me.

PS: I wish I didn't read the Anandtech preview on Sandy Bridge .. things got even crazier .. lol.

 

[thescreensavers]

having used all 3 Manufactures. Only MSI gave me issues. and not only mobo's so I refuse to use any of there products again.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

having used all 3 Manufactures. Only MSI gave me issues. and not only mobo's so I refuse to use any of there products again.

I've never had a problem with MSI motherboards. On the other hand, GIGABYTE motherboards still have the same problem today as they did when I bought my X58-UD5, squealing. That is why I don't buy GIGABYTE motherboards.

 

[Rifter]

I was in the same position as you but with X58 boards, i was trying to decide between the asus P6X58D-E and the MSI X58A-GD65 X58.

I ended up going with the Asus for 2 reasons, it had heatsinks on all the VRM's and was on sale cheaper.

I noticed in your links that the MSI model lacks heatsinks on all of the VRM's as it did with the x58 msi board i was looking at. And while this will probably make no difference running stock speeds it could make a difference if you overclock.

They are all good brands though and i think you will do fine with either of the three.

 

[keplenk]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I didn't wait for the Labor Day weekend sale so I just went ahead and purchased the Asus board here at our local store (Microcenter).

It was working good but I had to return it. It was making this loud high-pitch sound that is extremely annoying. When you scroll over webpages, moving windows, played SC2, and many more. I already read reviews about it and I guess I'm one of those unlucky bastards. I tried all troubleshooting tips that the forum suggested, like updating the bios and disabling some good features (just to remove the whining sound) - which kinda worked, but I don't want the feeling that I recently bought a new product thinking that something is wrong with it because some people don't have this problem.

I just called Microcenter and they're out of stock, meaning, they can't replace it with the same board and they don't know when stocks will replenish.

Unfortunately, Microcenter doesn't have the MSI P55A version -- they only have the plain MSI P55.

I'll just refund this Asus board and replace it with the MSI version from Newegg.

Thanks you for all your help!

 

[nenforcer]

You ever consider an EVGA P55 board? Does Microcenter stock EVGA? We have Frys Electronics where I live and they do.

 

[keplenk]

You ever consider an EVGA P55 board? Does Microcenter stock EVGA? We have Frys Electronics where I live and they do.

Yes, EVGA usually would be my first choice but they don't have a board that has SATA 3/USB 3.0 unless I missed it. I already considered using an SATA 3/USB 3.0 pcie add-on but I wanted to boot from USB 3.0 someday. I heard that the PCIe add-on won't let you boot from USB 3.0.

Do you happen to know any EVGA boards that has those built-in?

Thanks!

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Newegg has the MSI P55-G85 for $149 AR AC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-13130261-L0E

EMCYTZT122

 

[nipplefish]

TBH I'm kinda wishing I hadn't bothered with the USB3/SATA3. The way I see it, by the time any devices come around that actually use those interfaces I'll have upgraded to a new board anyway.

 

[nenforcer]

Intel isn't suppose to support USB3 natively until 2011 at the earliest and same with SATA3. Not even Sandy Bridge will have USB3 support out of the gate, I believe.

This will severely limit board prices coming down which support SATA3 and USB3 with add on 3rd party devices.

USB is backwards compatible so you should be able to boot a USB 3 device on a 2 controller with no issues and the speed of USB 2 is not bad at all. Only an SSD would reach speeds beyond 480Mbps = 60MB /s and you would want that internal anyways. I think most mechanical drives will see no difference.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Intel isn't suppose to support USB3 natively until 2011 at the earliest and same with SATA3. Not even Sandy Bridge will have USB3 support out of the gate, I believe.

This will severely limit board prices coming down which support SATA3 and USB3 with add on 3rd party devices.

USB is backwards compatible so you should be able to boot a USB 3 device on a 2 controller with no issues and the speed of USB 2 is not bad at all. Only an SSD would reach speeds beyond 480Mbps = 60MB /s and you would want that internal anyways. I think most mechanical drives will see no difference.

Mechanical drives' speeds are around 160MB/s so there would be a huge bottleneck.

 

[Rifter]

Intel isn't suppose to support USB3 natively until 2011 at the earliest and same with SATA3. Not even Sandy Bridge will have USB3 support out of the gate, I believe.

This will severely limit board prices coming down which support SATA3 and USB3 with add on 3rd party devices.

USB is backwards compatible so you should be able to boot a USB 3 device on a 2 controller with no issues and the speed of USB 2 is not bad at all. Only an SSD would reach speeds beyond 480Mbps = 60MB /s and you would want that internal anyways. I think most mechanical drives will see no difference.

what are you smoking? even a 5400rpm mechanical drive will be over 100MB/s and the 7200rpm even faster.

USB 2 will limit any mechanical drive that has been out for 5 years or more, not just the new high density platter ones. Not to mention it is a serious bottle neck for flash drives as well.

There is no reason not to go USB 3 as soon as you can.

 

[keplenk]

Newegg has the MSI P55-G85 for $149 AR AC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-13130261-L0E

EMCYTZT122

Nice. I saw that deal too from the news letter. I am and still tempted to grab that deal. I still have a few hours to decide. I'm still contemplating whether to get this or not.

By the way, and update: I got an eVGA GTX 460 768mb SuperOverclock version. I'm one of the lucky ones who got it from Chiefvalue.com - i think it was a pricing error. Originally priced at $210. I got it for $156 including tax/shipping/everything. I also get a free Metro 2033 game

Right now, I don't know if I should wait for Labor Day weekend Sale for the memory and mobo. Those are the only two that I need. Usually there are combo deals at that time especially mobo + mem.

hmmm

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Newegg's Labor Day sale: http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemai...EFL083110-_-EMC-083110-Index-_-E0-_-PromoWord

 

[keplenk]

Newegg's Labor Day sale: http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemai...EFL083110-_-EMC-083110-Index-_-E0-_-PromoWord

Do you think that, that will be it? I think it is not that exciting, imo. No P55 mobo lovin? If that will be the entire sale, I might really consider the MSI one.

We'll see. I'll post an update.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Ordered and paid for the MSI with $50 off + 2 sets of 2x4gb ripjaws 1600 (total of 8gb)

I hope everything works nice.

I'll post an update

Thank you guys for all your help!

 

[Reaping]

Personally, I chose to go with Biostar's T5 XE my friend. If i were you, I would check the specs there first...

 

[crucibelle]

I'm thinking about getting the MSI because it uses a realtek audio not like the Asus which uses the VIA one. I heard that the VIA one was not good.

Where did you hear this? I asked if there was a difference (on this forum) and was told that I wouldn't be able to tell a difference between the two (Via vs Realtek). I'm just curious and would like to read what you did, if it is available.. thank you.

 

[AstroGuardian]

I usually recommend Asus over other brand but for this particular models I would go for MSI. Credit go to its additional features and yeah! chipset too. :awe:

Contrary i recommend not to use any Asus board. Really REALLY bad experiences with Asus board. Both stability and compatibility issues on most of the setups