What do you think of the AsRock Extreme 4 P67 board ?

[lowrider69]

I have used many Asrock boards for myself and clients and never had an issue with them. They offer good features at a reasonable price and usually support their boards for a good period of time with BIOS updates. A quality brand and product IMO.

 

[scrubman]

Thanks dude! I guess you bought yours REALLY early! I only have the notice that they are starting to receive replacements and please stand by. That was March 3.

 

[TheStuck]

I just put together last night my new system using the Extreme 4 which was my first Asrock board. Mine was brand new ordered it Wednesday of last week. I have used MSI, Epox, Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel in the past. Everything was straight forward enough and everything posted fine.

I recommend the board and it seems to be the best bang for your buck. I havent overclocked anything but I would imagine that will be easy like everything else.

System Specs:

CPU: i5-2500k using a Coolermaster 212 heatsink
MB: AsRock P67 Extreme 4
Ram: 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) Gskill Ripsaw 1333
PSU: Cougar 700W
SSD: Crucial C300 128GB
HD: WD1002FAEX and an older WD 640 MB w/ 32 MB cache
GPU: EVGA 8800 GTS (512 MB)...old but I dont play games on the pc much now
CD: Asus CD/DVD writer
Case: Thermaltake Armor 60

Side note:
Biggest jump was using UEFI interface instead of std. bios but the UEFI is straight foward and easy to pick up and use.

 

[Hogan773]

Side note:
Biggest jump was using UEFI interface instead of std. bios but the UEFI is straight foward and easy to pick up and use.

Funny thing for me is that I find it easier to navigate through the "UEFI" bios by using the keyboard.......its really not hard to page up/page down and use the arrow keys.....

If one were to read things about UEFI bios one would think its some huge paradigm shift in user experience! On my ASRock, at least, its really not.

 

[TheStuck]

I agree. They didnt make UEFI difficult to use just becaue it is new. Bios was seems really old now.

 

[aghusker]

I just put together last night my new system using the Extreme 4 which was my first Asrock board. Mine was brand new ordered it Wednesday of last week. I have used MSI, Epox, Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel in the past. Everything was straight forward enough and everything posted fine.

I recommend the board and it seems to be the best bang for your buck. I havent overclocked anything but I would imagine that will be easy like everything else.

System Specs:

CPU: i5-2500k using a Coolermaster 212 heatsink
MB: AsRock P67 Extreme 4
Ram: 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) Gskill Ripsaw 1333
PSU: Cougar 700W
SSD: Crucial C300 128GB
HD: WD1002FAEX and an older WD 640 MB w/ 32 MB cache
GPU: EVGA 8800 GTS (512 MB)...old but I dont play games on the pc much now
CD: Asus CD/DVD writer
Case: Thermaltake Armor 60

Side note:
Biggest jump was using UEFI interface instead of std. bios but the UEFI is straight foward and easy to pick up and use.

About to match almost exactly your build during April...only doing new CM690II Adv case, plus my old 8800 GTS is 320MB version

Was waiting for C400 to come out, but if C300 is cheaper, I'll just get that.

 

[TheStuck]

I was going to wait for the C400 but I just got tired of waiting. I got the C300 for $224 total.

I doubt I would notice any difference between the C300 and C400. I was going from a mechanical drive to the C300.

 

[Hogan773]

I just put together last night my new system using the Extreme 4 which was my first Asrock board. Mine was brand new ordered it Wednesday of last week. I have used MSI, Epox, Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel in the past. Everything was straight forward enough and everything posted fine.

I recommend the board and it seems to be the best bang for your buck. I havent overclocked anything but I would imagine that will be easy like everything else.

System Specs:

CPU: i5-2500k using a Coolermaster 212 heatsink
MB: AsRock P67 Extreme 4
Ram: 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) Gskill Ripsaw 1333
PSU: Cougar 700W
SSD: Crucial C300 128GB
HD: WD1002FAEX and an older WD 640 MB w/ 32 MB cache
GPU: EVGA 8800 GTS (512 MB)...old but I dont play games on the pc much now
CD: Asus CD/DVD writer
Case: Thermaltake Armor 60

Side note:
Biggest jump was using UEFI interface instead of std. bios but the UEFI is straight foward and easy to pick up and use.

Enjoy. Why 700W PSU? I've got a 380W and seems more than enough. I guess if you get a good price on it, but I think sometimes people over-buy their PSUs. The SB sips voltage on a relative basis.

 

[TheStuck]

My older one has been beaten to hell and back. A bunch of SATA power connectors were broken. I needed a new one and I also wanted a modular supply too. 700w is way overkill but the PSU is a good one so I dont mind paying extra for it. The cougar was on sale when I bought it.

 

[de8212]

Now that I'm ready to order, newegg doesn't have stock.
:\

 

[dweilbacher]

Now that I'm ready to order, newegg doesn't have stock.
:\

Agreed. I have my parts list ready (I think), but waiting on the ASRock board to show up.

I do have a question on memory support for the Extreme4. I was thinking of getting this RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBXM $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231443

But then noticed that the CL8 version is not listed on the ASRock Supported list:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=P67 Extreme4

The CL7 and CL9 is listed, but not the CL8. Should I be concerned?

 

[dweilbacher]

Another question. Since the Extreme4 is hard to find, I started looking at the Pro3 board. Seems to me the only real difference is the lack of Cross/SLI support. So if I have no intention of adding 2 Video cards (ever), is there any other reason to go with the Extreme4?

 

[de8212]

I too considered the Pro3. I know the Extreme 4 has the front USB 3.0 panel which has a SSD tray built into it. Also, I believe it has a usb 3 rear bracket. Not a critical piece of hardware but seemed worht the extra ~$20.

 

[dweilbacher]

Agreed.
The Extreme4 also has the SATA ports mounted parallel (which I perfer for cable managment).

According to the specs the Extreme4 has something called Digi Power (Digital Pulse Width Modulation) for the CPU power. Might just be marketing hype, but the Pro3 lacks this.

Finally it has better Heat sinks (head pipes).

Agreed, all well worth $20, but we will have to see how long I can wait to order.

 

[Flaus]

I just put my build together using this board and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Here are some pics of the build, and a component list.

https://picasaweb.google.com/112744...omputerBuild02?authkey=Gv1sRgCJSF3LPAgtimmQE#

Case: Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Ram: G. Skill DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2gb) 8-8-8-24
GPU: MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC
PSU: Cooler Master SILENT 600w pro 80 Plus Bronze Modular
HD Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200rpm
Heatsink: Cooler Master Hyper 212+

 

[dweilbacher]

Case: Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Ram: G. Skill DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2gb) 8-8-8-24
GPU: MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC
PSU: Cooler Master SILENT 600w pro 80 Plus Bronze Modular
HD Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200rpm
Heatsink: Cooler Master Hyper 212+

Wow, that is very similar to the build I'm planning (see parts list below). With the exception of the Video card, nearly identical. I debated about the MSI GTX, but like the Gigabyte design better. I also think the color scheme better matches the RAM and Motherboard.

So, if you had to do it again, would you select any different parts?


Parts List:
Case: Nexus Prominent 9
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Ram: G. Skill DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2gb) 8-8-8-24
GPU: Gigabyte Ultra Durable GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB
PSU: Cooler Master SILENT 600w pro 80 Plus Bronze Modular
HD Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200rpm
Heatsink: Cooler Master Hyper 212+
DVD RW: HP SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Writer
Monitor: ASUS VH236H 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI 1080P LCD

 

[Flaus]

Wow, that is very similar to the build I'm planning (see parts list below). With the exception of the Video card, nearly identical. I debated about the MSI GTX, but like the Gigabyte design better. I also think the color scheme better matches the RAM and Motherboard.

So, if you had to do it again, would you select any different parts?


Parts List:
Case: Nexus Prominent 9
Mobo: ASRock P67 Extreme4
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Ram: G. Skill DDR3-1600 4GB (2x2gb) 8-8-8-24
GPU: Gigabyte Ultra Durable GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB
PSU: Cooler Master SILENT 600w pro 80 Plus Bronze Modular
HD Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200rpm
Heatsink: Cooler Master Hyper 212+
DVD RW: HP SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Writer
Monitor: ASUS VH236H 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI 1080P LCD

After doing the build, I think the only thing I would change is picking up Black ram instead of blue . But at the same time, the blue ones match the blue slots that are open, so it makes sense either way. I would recommend looking at replacing the fan on the 212+ though. It does get a little loud (not crazy loud) at full speed. I think at some point I will put in an SSD, because after having one (built a HTPC with Agility 2 SSD, and Phenom II X4 965BE) that difference is literally night and day. The best upgrade you can make to your system if you can swing the $120 bucks or so.

 

[boozie]

About to match almost exactly your build during April...only doing new CM690II Adv case, plus my old 8800 GTS is 320MB version

Was waiting for C400 to come out, but if C300 is cheaper, I'll just get that.

HAHA this is creepy because I am in the same boat. RAM/CPU/MOBO and even the C300 SSD are exact same and I am carrying over my old 8800 GTS 320MB until D3 is released.

 

[de8212]

Ordered my Extreme4 from superbiiz today. My build will be close to the above as well.

2500k
212+
Extreme4
2x4GB G. Skill DDR3 - 1600

But I also got an XFX 6950 2GB video card.
And I'm reusing my old P182 case, 620HX power supply, etc.

 

[dweilbacher]

After doing the build, I think the only thing I would change is picking up Black ram instead of blue . But at the same time, the blue ones match the blue slots that are open, so it makes sense either way. I would recommend looking at replacing the fan on the 212+ though. It does get a little loud (not crazy loud) at full speed. I think at some point I will put in an SSD, because after having one (built a HTPC with Agility 2 SSD, and Phenom II X4 965BE) that difference is literally night and day. The best upgrade you can make to your system if you can swing the $120 bucks or so.

Thanks, I will consider another fan. But the PC is for my 14 year old son and will be in the basement. Plus, I have the Nexus Prominent 9 case... Designed to absorbing sound, so may not be an issue for me.

As for the SSD, good idea, but just can't pull the trigger. This build is already costing near $1000. Not willing to add any more $$$. Maybe when I build my next PC for myself

 

[gdday4]

Agreed. I have my parts list ready (I think), but waiting on the ASRock board to show up.

I do have a question on memory support for the Extreme4. I was thinking of getting this RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBXM $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231443

But then noticed that the CL8 version is not listed on the ASRock Supported list:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=P67 Extreme4

The CL7 and CL9 is listed, but not the CL8. Should I be concerned?

I have the blue CL8 RAM and it works fine. The board auto sets the timings at 9 so you have to change them manually to 8.

 

[spoonr]

New member, first time builder. I also ordered the extreme4 board(superbiiz) after extensive research and for the price it seems like a great board.

 

[dweilbacher]

Well, I wanted the ASRock Extreme4, but decided not to wait any longer for newegg to get it in stock. So I decided to go MSI instead. Picked up the GD55 board from Microcenter. $144 (AR). My first MSI motherboard. They also have the best prices on the i5 2500K ($179) and Hyper 212+.

The rest of the items I ordered from newegg. So hopefully will have all my parts mid next week.

 

[Drsignguy]

HAHA this is creepy because I am in the same boat. RAM/CPU/MOBO and even the C300 SSD are exact same and I am carrying over my old 8800 GTS 320MB until D3 is released.

Lol, seems like forever and a day since it will..... As for the C300, it is a really good and pretty damn fast SSD.

 

[spoonr]

dweilbacher, thanks for the tip about microcenter on the i5 2500k cpu's! def. good price, to bad they can't ship it to the west coast. : (