Z68 microATX, worth it?

[VirtualLarry]

Just wondering. I could save a few bucks going with a Z68 micro-ATX over a full ATX. The one I was looking at is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128495

Microcenter carries it:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0364087

Some questions:
Will this Z68 board support the 2500K CPU? Will it support overclocking it to 4.5Ghz? The description on Microcenter's site says limited to 95W CPUs. That would seem to preclude overclocking, wouldn't it? It also only has a 4-pin ATX12V connector.

Also, I plan on running GTX460 SLI with this board. Would I put the cards into the first and third slots, or the first and last PCI-E slots?

If so, then will it block the SATA ports? I'm really worried about that, it seems like plugging a GTX460 into the third slot would block the SATA slots something fierce, including the SATA 6G ports. But if I put the card into the fourth slot, then I think I could use the two SATA 6G ports, and two of the SATA 3G ports. I really wish Gigabyte had used the right-angle SATA sockets on this board.

Edit:
This appears to be the next step up, this board does have right-angle SATA ports.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128503
It also has a USB3 header on the board. And an 8-pin EPS12V connector for the CPU.

 

[dmoney1980]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have the mATX version of the ASrock board and I paired it with a 2500k and have it OC'd at 4.1ghz without a problem. Your board will state which pci-e slots to use for SLI, so I would go to the Gigabyte site and download the user manual to confirm how to do it.

All z68 boards can handle 2500/2600 cpu's, just a matter of how high they can OC. The 4 pic may be a limiting factor though

 

[Epsilon-Zero]

Asus makes a z68 matx that rivals its own full atx.

Theres no cons to using matx other than some features may be cut down or cut off vs a full atx. Its really up to the manufacturer how much they will cram onto it.

In most circumstances I would argue that matx is a better value for alot of customers because the customer isnt forced to pay more for extra features they may not use. (XX # of sata connectors or PCIe slots that will go unused)

The best board I ever owned is a matx from gigabyte.
For some reason I always have problems with full atx. :|

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I just used the Asus P8Z68-M Pro in a build for a cousin and it worked really well so I was very happy with the board how everything went together.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Asus makes a z68 matx that rivals its own full atx.

Theres no cons to using matx other than some features may be cut down or cut off vs a full atx. Its really up to the manufacturer how much they will cram onto it.

In most circumstances I would argue that matx is a better value for alot of customers because the customer isnt forced to pay more for extra features they may not use. (XX # of sata connectors or PCIe slots that will go unused)

The best board I ever owned is a matx from gigabyte.
For some reason I always have problems with full atx. :|

Asus ROG mATX Board Gene-Z!

 

[Zap]

All z68 boards can handle 2500/2600 cpu's, just a matter of how high they can OC.

Yup.

I have an ASRock Z68 PRO3-M in my possession for a couple days. Works and overclocks great! It is a pretty basic Z68 chipset mATX board with the addition of USB 3.0 and nothing extra. Very stripped down, with no extra front ports, doesn't come with a zillion extra cables, no Firewire or extra SATA ports. Just a cheap overclockable mATX motherboard.

 

[paul878]

Spend a few dollars more and get the Asus Gene-Z!

 

[Zap]

Spend $70 more and get the Asus Gene-Z!

Fixed. Yes, the Gene-Z is pretty awesome, but the ASRock Z68 PRO3-M is pretty darn good for being merely 3/5 the price. What kind of motherboard will Asus sell you for $110?

What you DON'T get with the ASRock are:
No front USB 3.0 headers (only rear ports).
No uber overclocking past mid-4GHz range.
No SLI/Crossfire.
No software X-Fi.
No Intel NIC.
Fewer USB and eSATA ports.
No ROG Connect support.

What you DON'T get with the Asus are:
Low price.
Multiple display outputs (has only single HDMI versus... EVERYTHING).

 

[VirtualLarry]

I actually do want SLI and USB3 front-panel headers on the motherboard. So that Gigabyte Z68MX does have those.

Kinda like that the ASrock board has a floppy connector. If it only had an IDE connector too, that would be golden.

I'm still thinking of going all out on an Asrock Z68 Professional (Fatal1ty) GEN3 board. Floppy/IDE, lots of SATA ports, lots of stuff overall.

The only reason to go with the Gigabyte would be price, but then I would lose out on the IDE/Floppy support.

 

[jacktesterson]

I overclocked a 2500k on a matx Intel p67 board to 4.4ghz with no issues.

I've had good luck with matx personally.

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