Intel DZ77RE75K Extreme Series Motherboard

[XtremePhysX]

Hey, do you guys recommend the Intel DZ77RE75K Extreme Series Motherboard?
I was thinking about getting the Sabertooth Z77 but many people on many forums didn't recommend it.
I read some good reviews about this board so what do you guys think?
I'll be probably using on-board graphics in the 1155 processor until I save about $500 to buy a good 680 or 2 660Ti's in SLI so can someone tell me more about on board graphics please?
Currently I have a 580 but I'm not sure if it works. There was a water cooling leak in my system and the motherboard died which is why I'm buying a new motherboard so I'm not sure if my GPU is dead or not so I might have to use on board graphics for a while.

 

[SnW]

Could you tell me why they didn't suggest the Sabertooth ?
as mine (al tho it is a P67) is awesome !

 

[tinytomlogan]

The Asus board is a much better board than the Intel, especially once you mention overclocking.

 

[XtremePhysX]

I really like the Sabertooth for it's looks, durability "military component" and 5 year warranty and many other things but people didn't recommend it because they think that the thermal armour is just a gimmick (even if it is a gimmick, I still like it!) and that it doesn't support RAM faster than 1850 or something...
Is there a way I can test my GPU to see if it's working? When I connect my MoBo to the PSU it doesn't even turn on, it is just dead so is there a way I can test the GPU
I'll never ever use water cooling again, been working perfectly fine for 1 year and suddenly the reservoir started leaking...

 

[ruairi.C]

Intel board looks great and you'll get good quality cos it's intel (and I'm pretty sure that's the board that has thunderbolt etc)

Z77 Sabretooth is just stupid. hides an average board and charges more. Has small fans which can obviously stop working and small fans make lots of noise. tbh I'd refer to look at a good motherboard than one with a big black thing covering it.

 

[seumasbeathan]

Go for an MSI Z77A G45 to save money and get a 670 not a 680

 

[XtremePhysX]

Go for an MSI Z77A G45 to save money and get a 670 not a 680

I might do that, best solution to my situation so far, thanks!

 

[jamesriley94]

The Sabretooth isnt a bad board. It's just overpriced and you're basically paying £30-40 more for the thermal armour.
It doesn't really do anything to help with heat - but it is an aesthetic choice.
If you like the look of it, get it. But don't be put off by marketing calling something thermal armour when its only real aid is in aesthetics....if you like that kind of stuff

 

[SnW]

I really don't believe Asus would make something that wouldn't work...
and is this personal experience ?

I might even look if it works LOl i never bought it for that , al tho i Do like the looks of it...

 

[jamesriley94]

No, I've never had a Sabretooth...
I don't think they would make something that doesn't work - but it depends how you think of it. I don't believe the armour alone will provide any thermal benefit - if anything it's stopping heat dissipate, and cutting off airflow to the chips underneath... But - with the fans, I do think it would be better than a normal board.

In any case - if it was needed, or it did show a visible improvement, why is thermal armour only used on one board, from one manufacturer... Surely if it was really beneficial, Asus would be implementing it on all their boards, and other companies would have followed...

I don't really think it matters though...
It's still a decent board - the people who buy it will buy it because they like the look of the thermal armour - and the people who don't will look elsewhere.

Even if it was a benefit is it really worth another £40 over the MSI GD65 for potentially slightly better cooling - on chips that don't get particularly hot anyway?

 

[XtremePhysX]

I like the looks, warranty, "military class", http://s7.postimage.org/vf4c4p72z/ASUS_SABERTOOTH_Z77_DDR3_2000_QVL.jpg, price ($250), etc... so I'm getting one

 

[jamesriley94]

Why have you linked us to the QVL?

 

[XtremePhysX]

Why have you linked us to the QVL?

Some people said it doesn't support any RAM faster than 1866 but the picture shows that it supports up to 2666 or something, idk...

 

[tinytomlogan]

Some people said it doesn't support any RAM faster than 1866 but the picture shows that it supports up to 2666 or something, idk...

You just manually set it to what ever the ram speed you bought is.

Above 2400 can be CPU limited and will need some knowledge to get it running sweet.