Classified alternative?

[uberowo]

I ordered my new computer more then a month ago, I've received all the parts now, except for the SSD hd and the EVGA Classified mobo. My deadline is unfortunately next weekend (need my setup ready for the Aion launch!). And so far there's not even a confirmed date on when the EVGA will arrive to any norwegian distributors.

So basically, after doing what seemed like a ton of research, then deciding on the EVGA Classified as the "best" motherboard for an i7 cpu (the 950 in my case), I now have to pick the "2nd best" motherboard instead, and soon.

So far I'm having serious trouble deciding, but I seem to be leaning towards the Asus P6T6 WS Revolution.

I will most likely not use more the two graphic cards, so pretty much any x58 should do the job in that respect. I would however like a hassle free 4ghz overclock, and a board that can handle a bit of heat, since I will be using air cooling..

Thoughts?

 

[sgrinavi]

I have the Asus Rampage II Extreme, just as you say it is a no-brainer 4.0 O/C and runs cool. I would imagine the WS board is similar.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

EVGA

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

The MSI X58 Platinum SLI is my second choice after the EVGA X58 SLI, but I'm not a gamer. The heatsinks are garbage on the MSI so you need a solution for that because MSI won't admit they screwed up.

 

[Ben90]

IDK where u got the idea that the classified was the best x58 board there is. Its great for n2/dice/phase change cooling because you can hit pretty nice bclocks on it, but its performance is very sub par on any non extreme cooling... gimme a sec to find a few benchmarks

First one isnt that bad
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3519&p=4
http://www.hardocp.com/article...a_x58_sli_classified/5


Anyways i believe the reason that the classified can hit killer clocks is because they implement something similiar to a nb strap on the 775 boards, since the x58 has a lot more independent settings it might not be affected the same way, but it was fairly common for users to get better performance out of a lower OC then to push another 100 mhz and hit the strap

Either way though; on nearly every single roundup ive seen, asus boards get the best performance everytime by about .5~1%; so unless someone can show something where the rampage is lacking (aside from raw bclocks) i would say get a p6t

*edit* just re-read and saw you were on air... i think 99% of x58 boards today will get you 4ghz no problem; my $180 cheap-o p6t se (shitty edition) gets around 200 block before i need more voltage, thats 4.2ghz

 

[uberowo]

Thanks for everyones input. I'll just order the mentioned Asus board instead, seems it wont make much difference in my case anyway.