Top Computer Motherboards by Consumer Reviewers

Asus M5A97 Desktop Motherboard - AMD 970 Chipset - Socket AM3+ - ATX - 1 x Processor Support - 32 GB DDR3 SDRAM Maximum RAM ...

222 Reviews

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	Price: $99.99
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Pros: Excellent UEFI BIOS menu, Plenty of overclocking features, Stable, Easy installation
Cons: Requires initial update, Sleep issues, NB runs hot

Review: The Asus M5A97, a stable and great-looking board, can suit the typical needs of overclockers, with plenty of tools, easy installation and an exceptional UEFI BIOS menu. Its BIOS is a tad easier to use, allowing the addition of a mouse, instead of a keyboard-dependent operation, and providing hassle-free and straightforward system management. Also included in its impressive and long list of features are its Dual Intelligent Processors (TPU and EPU), USB 3.0 for rocket-high speed and compatibility with AMD AM3+/AM3 multi-core processors. Furthermore, the M5A97 supports ATI's CrossFireX technology for high-quality and smooth graphics. ATI's Catalyst Control Center is present for making easy adjustments, adding effects and viewing changes, while the ASUS AI Suite II serves as your pathway to exclusive ASUS features which enable real-time monitoring and easy overclocking. The motherboard does not come in its latest version though, so you need to do an initial update. Some also reported that the Northbridge reaches a high temperature and several others noted the presence of sleep issues. The M5A97, on the other hand, offers up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer rates through its SATA 6Gb/s Support. Specifically designed for overclocking, the motherboard is jampacked with OC features like Auto O.C., TurboV and Auto tuning. You can even test the stability of your system. Twelve USB 2.0 ports are nicely distributed at the back panel and mid-board, and two USB 3.0 ports, along with an Optical S/PDIF out port, can be found at the back panel. In a nutshell, the Asus M5A97 fits overclockers who want an easy to install and decent solution at a justifiable price. All the necessary discs including the drivers, ASUS Utilities, ASUS Update and Anti-virus software (OEM version) are provided. Two modes also await users. The EZ mode provides optimized settings so that you won't have to make complicated adjustments yourself, and the Advanced mode is perfect for builders who like the extra control option.

Asus E35M1-M PRO Motherboard (AMD, Hudson M1, uATX, 8GB DDR3)

77 Reviews

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Popularity :

	Price: $139.99
	Price: $149.99
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Pros: Low power, Quiet, Passive heatsink, Great expandability
Cons: No Raid support, Cannot use a USB thumb drive as a booting device, Unusual size of the board

Review: Power saving and accoutered with tons of ports and features, the Asus E35M1-M PRO proves to be a smart move when building your own media center or system. A combination of an integrated AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350, AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics and HDMI Support provides high-speed and great performance along with stunning visuals. The board also employs an onboard 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC for stimulating sound. It uses a passive heatsink for low-noise and excellent cooling thus, requiring no additional fans. Forward compatibility with USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s which delivers data transfer rates of up to 10X faster than that of USB 2.0 and twice the speed of SATA 3Gb/s are likewise featured in this motherboard. The Asus E35M1-M PRO has a uATX Form Factor, measuring 9.6 inch x 7.2 inch (24.4 cm x 18.3 cm), making it hard to find the right case. Moreover, there's no Raid support and some users noted that booting from a USB device is quite impossible too. On the bright side, the board comes with all the required drivers and an anti-virus software, and integrated with 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 14 x USB 2.0 Ports and a lot of room for add-ons. It utilizes high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for unmatched durability and the ASUS EPU provides maximum energy efficiency even during peak loads. With Anti-Surge Protection, your motherboard is safe from critical damage caused by power surges. As opposed to having individual software for each ASUS feature, all are packed into the ASUS AI Suite II, adding ease of use and total system control to the entire package. Budget-wise, the Asus E35M1-M PRO represents a true and good value for money. The board is priced within reach of many types of system builders and permits greater savings with its low wattage. While it does have its share of shortcomings, upon weighing the disadvantages and advantages, the E35M1-M PRO seems like a solid board which offers a good platform for multimedia.

Intel BOXDZ68BC ATX Intel Motherboard

58 Reviews

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	Price: $242.95
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Pros: Good board with tons of features and ports, Decent onboard video, SLI/CrossFireX support, Includes a Wi-Fi adapter, Excellent documentation
Cons: Outdated BIOS interface, Placement of memory slots

Review: Although not directed towards heavy overclockers, the full-featured Intel DZ68BC is a reliable and fairly good platform, designed to support the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 and -K processors in the LGA1155 package. The Intel Z68 Express Chipset is integrated with Intel Smart Response Technology for improved responsiveness and speedy boot times. Intel Rapid Storage Technology and other exclusive features are also included. In the DZ68BC, you'll find plenty of ports. There are four USB 3.0 ports, fourteen USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, an S/PDIF Out, four Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s ports, one eSATA 6.0 Gb/s and four Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s ports. In terms of expansion, two PCI Express 2.0 x16, two PCI Express 2.0 x 1 and three PCI Conventional bus connectors are available. The DZ68BC already includes a Wi-Fi adapter and Intel HD Graphics which offers decent video if you're not a hardcore gamer. It also supports dual display and ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI for multi-GPU configurations. The board has DVI-I, HDMI and Display-Port connectors and features 10-channel Intel HD audio. Diagnostic LEDS and a post code decoder make monitoring and troubleshooting easy to do. The glowing skull is cool-looking, but since it will only matter if your case has a window, it can easily be turned off. The Intel DZ68BC has excellent documentation. The instructions were very clear and you can download a more specific product guide from Intel's website. The downsides of the board include its Marvell SATA controller which most users find unreliable and the outdated BIOS interface. A BIOS update can be easily done to remedy the last issue but we admit that we expected an already-updated one, given the price of this board. Those who have their eyes on the DZ68BC should also consider the placement of the memory slots, which could pose a problem when using coolers that are pretty bulky and large in size.