Which motherboard out of these two?

[Nemix]

I'm a Gigabyte motherboard guy (even videocards), so Gigabyte gets my vote. Check my specs below.

Both boards are identical in terms is chipsets (SB/NB/audio) except the Gigabyte one does not have mosfet heatsinks (easily fixed DealExtreme: $2.68 Aluminum Cooler Heat Sink Chipset for RAM Memory - Square Type (8-Piece Set)). But in terms of quality (2oz Copper PCB and Solid Japanese Capacitors), board layout, overclocking (Phenom Core Unlock Support) and customer support Gigabyte wins hands down(Gigabyte is also very good with frequent BIOS updates).

I've only had to RMA one Gigabyte out of 10 that I bought for myself and friends. And it had nothing to do with the board, I had to do a case swapping job and I may have put too much pressure on one of the capacitors and broke it off. I emailed Gigabyte the next day explaining exactly what happened and they took the board back and sent me a new replacement (newer revision too).

Gigabyte if you want great support, better overclocking features and a better motherboard (but forgettable naming and ugly blue color theme, Extreme and EVO sounds cooler...lol).

Edit: I'm looking to get a Gigabyte GTX 460 upgrade, I may just wait for the Gigabyte HD 5950 (next week) or Gigabyte GTX 560 (early spring 2011) to be released.

 

[Genesis4455]

I'm a Gigabyte motherboard guy (even videocards), so Gigabyte gets my vote. Check my specs below.

Both boards are identical in terms is chipsets (SB/NB/audio) except the Gigabyte one does not have mosfet heatsinks (easily fixed DealExtreme: $2.68 Aluminum Cooler Heat Sink Chipset for RAM Memory - Square Type (8-Piece Set)). But in terms of quality (2oz Copper PCB and Solid Japanese Capacitors), board layout, overclocking (Phenom Core Unlock Support) and customer support Gigabyte wins hands down(Gigabyte is also very good with frequent BIOS updates).

I've only had to RMA one Gigabyte out of 10 that I bought for myself and friends. And it had nothing to do with the board, I had to do a case swapping job and I may have put too much pressure on one of the capacitors and broke it off. I emailed Gigabyte the next day explaining exactly what happened and they took the board back and sent me a new replacement (newer revision too).

Gigabyte if you want great support, better overclocking features and a better motherboard (but forgettable naming and ugly blue color theme, Extreme and EVO sounds cooler...lol).

Edit: I'm looking to get a Gigabyte GTX 460 upgrade, I may just wait for the Gigabyte HD 5950 (next week) or Gigabyte GTX 560 (early spring 2011) to be released.

What would happen if i Didn't buy the mosfet heat sinks, why doesnt gigabyte have them? o.o

 

[Nemix]

Honestly, you do need them it just looks cool and helps a little to dissipate heat (helps with overclocking a little too).

Gigabyte uses high quality lower RDS ferrite core mosfets thus resulting in much less heat produced to the mosfets and extends mosfet and overall motherboard life (increases overclocking potential).

I usually put them on my motherboards for looks and heat dissipation, if you do get them just make sure you clean the mosfets with 99% alcohol and hold the chipsinks firmly down for 5 minutes straight each piece or else they will fall off overtime.

If you can squeeze in a bit more budget: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series GV-N460SO-1GI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Best GTX 460 IMO, 2oz Copper PCB, Solid Japanese Capacitors, 6+1 Power Phase and 4 heatpipe dual fan copper cooler. Overclocks to 950Mhz Core with ease, matching a GTX 470 is a lot of benchmarks while running cooler/quieter and using 75 watts less.

Edit: IMO, I'd take the Gigabyte GTX 460 Super Overclock over 8GB ram and just go with 4GB ram for now. Unless you use over 4GB ram frequently (Task Manager).

 

[Genesis4455]

Thanks a lot Nemix, Ill go with Gigabyte and buy my girlfriend and Asus (since shes just into small stuff) to see whats going on, to bad I cant get that Graphics card its pretty beast, I went with the Asus gtx 460 and going to OC it a bit thanks a lot though =D

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Genesis4455, I like MSI and they have a wicked mobo that has been getting fantastic write up's. Check it out ! It does run $135.00 but worth that in spades. It's a pretty as it is powerful for the money it's got lots of features and no fat no legacy.
MSI Global – Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more
Love the fact you can use any two GPU's together.

 

[Nemix]

I checked you specs, did you already get the Asus GTX 768MB?

If you haven't and cannot squeeze more budget get the GTX 460 SE 1GB over the GTX 460 768MB: Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

They have an Asus version too cost the same as the Asus GTX 768MB: Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTX460 SE DC/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

From reviews the SE edition losses 3% to the GTX 460 768MB on resolution under 1080p but on resolutions 1080p and over the GTX 460 SE 1GB win by 7%. The GTX 460 SE is more future proof with 1GB video ram and overclocks better than the GTX 460 768MB.

 

[Genesis4455]

@lin Yeah I would love that mobo and I love the fact im assuming you can use Crossfire or SLI if i have extra money Ill end up getting a board like that also isn't it a drop from a 870 to 770??

@nemix Yeah I know Nemix I kinda Messed up, the reason im got a GTX 460 768 was a xmas present from my dads friend, but in the future ill be buying either a radeon or SLI a board but this stuff im getting is a enormous upgrade from what i got

AMD athalon II 2.1ghz
Geforce 9600gt
stock compaq motherboard

yeah no so great lol.