Which is the better motherboard

[bugle25]

They both support X2 processors but the Gigabyte has no PCI-e. I plan on using AGP but the chance to upgrade to PCI-e in the future is nice. However, I will forgo that if the ASRock is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[shimsham]

the asrock is a solid board. used one in a build for a buddy about 2 months ago, and not one problem since.

ATs review summary.

 

[colonel]

I have both , I prefer Asrock, the gigabyte is a picky board when you bump the overckoking options.

 

[McArra]

Asrock, it is a beast of a board

 

[hooflung]

the Asrock I have had going for over a month and a half.

 

[Somniferum]

I'm very satisfied with my ASrock board. Can't speak for the other one though.

 

[Neptune3000]

If are planing o OC stay away from the asrock. its pretty solid, but the lack of OC options is fustrating. I want a DFI

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Neptune3000
If are planing o OC stay away from the asrock. its pretty solid, but the lack of OC options is fustrating. I want a DFI

The voltmod can't be easier, I can OC pass 300FSB.....

 

[bugle25]

I'm not looking to overclock ATM. If I decide to experiment later, that's cool if it can, but it's not the most important thing. The main thing I was looking at was whether they support X2 and AGP. Since they are both budget boards, it was a tough decision. I think I'll go with the ASRock.

 

[justly]

I would have to check to be sure, but I think the M1689 chipset is of a synchronous design (no PCI freq lock). That makes it a poor choice for overclocking, otherwise I don?t know of anything actually bad about it. The M1695 used in the Asrock supports asynchronous bus speeds but the board is not designed for maximum overclocking potential. It should still be less trouble to overclock because of the asynchronous design, also being a slightly newer design it should be a little faster. I would say the Asrock is the better choice (overclocking or not).

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: justly
I would have to check to be sure, but I think the M1689 chipset is of a synchronous design (no PCI freq lock). That makes it a poor choice for overclocking, otherwise I don?t know of anything actually bad about it. The M1695 used in the Asrock supports asynchronous bus speeds but the board is not designed for maximum overclocking potential. It should still be less trouble to overclock because of the asynchronous design, also being a slightly newer design it should be a little faster. I would say the Asrock is the better choice (overclocking or not).

They have even managed a 400Mhz FSB with this board.