Can't Decide Which Skylake Motherboard

[NinNin]

Hi everyone, could I get some help choosing a motherboard? I'm finding it difficult as customer feedback keep scaring me off! I won't be gaming or overclocking, I mainly want stability and longevity. I'll be using it for video editing, animation, rendering and high res digital painting, I can spend about $150-$200.

I've seen people suggest Z series use higher quality components so I'll probably still go Z170. I'd prefer Intel over Realtek/Killer for the NIC.

I have no idea which brands are reliable since they all get their share of bad customer feedback.

I was warming to Gigabyte but I find their standoff layout bizarre and gives me the vibe of serious cost cutting.

ASRock Extreme4/6, Asus Z170-A, Asus Maximus VIII Ranger and Gigabyte Z170X-UD3/GA-Z170XP-SLI are ones I've been looking at so far. Cost isn't an issue, not bothered about saving $20 or so, I'll hopefully be using it for years so I just want whichever is most reliable.

Any recommendations much appreciated!

 

[Sasqui]

I used to be a devout Asus fan but Gigabyte has stolen my heart before Asus, all I bought was Abit. In any case, there are several z170 boards recently reviewed on TPU by @cadaveca here... http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/?category=Motherboards&manufacturer=&pp=25&order=date

 

[newtekie1]

After the absolutely terrible customer support I experienced with Gigabyte, GPU failed after 4 months and it took them 2 months to get me a replacement, I strongly recommend not buying any of their products.

The AsRock Extreme series boards have been very good to me, and when I have had to deal with AsRock RMAs they have been quick and they always fixed the problem first try. IMO, the Extreme4 or 6 would be great boards to go with.

However, for the work you are looking to do, have you considered X99? If you are going to keep this system for a long time, 6-Cores, or even 8-cores and the option to move to 10-18 Cores in the future might be worth the extra spent now. And if you are already looking at an i7 the cost actually isn't that much more(you didn't mention the processor in the original post). Assuming you are looking at the i7-6700/k, going with an i7-5820k and an x99 Extreme4 is only about $100 more than an i7-6700 and Z170 Extreme4. And you'd have 6-cores/12-Thread right from the start. With z170 you will always be limited to 4-cores/8-threads. Video editing, rendering, and animation all benefit from more cores.

 

[Sasqui]

After the absolutely terrible customer support I experienced with Gigabyte, GPU failed after 4 months and it took them 2 months to get me a replacement, I strongly recommend not buying any of their products.

That sucks, glad I haven't needed to RMA my motherboard. Have to wonder if the GPU and MB RMA's are processed by different divisions.

Edit: some horror stories here: https://www.google.com/#q=Gigabyte+rma+experience

But... don't forget, good experiences (I found a few), don't often get posted.

 

[rtwjunkie]

But... don't forget, good experiences (I found a few), don't often get posted.

Yeah, you're right. I wish everyone was like me, as it would be ever so helpful. I review every piece of equipment I buy, good and bad. I even posted a new ASRock review when they handled a motherboard RMA quickly and efficiently, so I have to second Newtekie's experience with them on the RMA process.

 

[newtekie1]

That sucks, glad I haven't needed to RMA my motherboard. Have to wonder if the GPU and MB RMA's are processed by different divisions.

Edit: some horror stories here: https://www.google.com/#q=Gigabyte+rma+experience

But... don't forget, good experiences (I found a few), don't often get posted.

I don't know if they are separate, but I do know you call the same number and same extension for service, so I'm guessing no.

There is a thread here detailing what happened to me. But the TL;DR version is this:
1.) Fan bearings started grinding after 4 months.
2.) Sent card in with the RMA reason being fan bearings are grinding.
3.) It takes a week to ship to them in CA, they sit on the card for a week, then ship it back untouched, which takes another week.
4.) I call them up, they say "Oh we test our cards on their side in a test bench, so the bearings must not grind in that orientation, well send you out a fan".
5.) They send the wrong fan.
6.) They tell me I have to ship the card back to them, they won't pay for overnight shipping, so shipping back to them takes another week.
7.) They sit on the card for 2 more weeks.
8.) I call them, they say, "Oh we have to replace the card completely, but we don't have any stock, you'll just have to keep waiting until we get some in from China. But we'll ship it out overnight as soon as we get some."
9.) They finally get some a couple days later and ship my card out...ground.
10.) I call to complain when I see the tracking number says Ground shipping. They respond with "Oh, sorry, the shipping department made a mistake, nothing we can do about it."
11.) Me: "How about a free game voucher or something for my trouble and being out a $300 graphics card for 2+ months." Them: "Nope."

So now, anytime someone is considering a Gigabyte product, I will spread this story.

 

[Sasqui]

I don't know if they are separate, but I do know you call the same number and same extension for service, so I'm guessing no.

There is a thread here detailing what happened to me. But the TL;DR version is this:
1.) Fan bearings started grinding after 4 months.
2.) Sent card in with the RMA reason being fan bearings are grinding.
3.) It takes a week to ship to them in CA, they sit on the card for a week, then ship it back untouched, which takes another week.
4.) I call them up, they say "Oh we test our cards on their side in a test bench, so the bearings must not grind in that orientation, well send you out a fan".
5.) They send the wrong fan.
6.) They tell me I have to ship the card back to them, they won't pay for overnight shipping, so shipping back to them takes another week.
7.) They sit on the card for 2 more weeks.
8.) I call them, they say, "Oh we have to replace the card completely, but we don't have any stock, you'll just have to keep waiting until we get some in from China. But we'll ship it out overnight as soon as we get some."
9.) They finally get some a couple days later and ship my card out...ground.
10.) I call to complain when I see the tracking number says Ground shipping. They respond with "Oh, sorry, the shipping department made a mistake, nothing we can do about it."
11.) Me: "How about a free game voucher or something for my trouble and being out a $300 graphics card for 2+ months." Them: "Nope."

So now, anytime someone is considering a Gigabyte product, I will spread this story.

Oh, the joys...

 

[Folterknecht]

The ASUS "TUF" motherboards offer 5 years warrenty after registration (at least in europe and north america) compared to 2-3 warrenty on other motherboards. With EVGA you can purchase a warrenty extension for a fee.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Happy with mine. @cadaveca did a review:
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/Z170A_GAMING_M7/

It does have a "Killer NIC" but MSI provides a driver-only package for it that I use...no problems.

That's a little above your budget. One of the lower end Z170A MSI boards will do just as well.

Edit: Newegg was selling them in a i7-6700K bundle for some savings. Dunno if they still are.

 

[NinNin]

Thanks everyone, so many responses!

The AsRock Extreme series boards have been very good to me, and when I have had to deal with AsRock RMAs they have been quick and they always fixed the problem first try. IMO, the Extreme4 or 6 would be great boards to go with.

That's really good to hear! I think I am leaning towards the Extreme4, it's such a good price for the features. Not sure I need the Extreme6. What does it mean though they use 12,000 hour caps? That doesn't sound like a very long lifespan.

However, for the work you are looking to do, have you considered X99?

I did consider it but the X99 mobos seem expensive currently. I'd be too scared to use it!

 

[rtwjunkie]

What does it mean though they use 12,000 hour caps?

They are guaranteed at least that much life, but will probably last much longer, though. That is 500 days of 24/7 use.

 

[NinNin]

It does have a "Killer NIC" but MSI provides a driver-only package for it that I use...no problems.

A friend explained to me an Intel NIC reduces CPU activity which could help reduce stutter in digital painting, not sure if that means much though, mostly I'm going on the feedback with people saying Killer is a PITA.

The MSI Z170A Krait uses Intel NIC, has a cray cray amount of I/O on the back that makes Asus seem stingy but uses that bizarre layout Gigabyte is using, I know I'll probably snap it putting in the 24-pin.

 

[EarthDog]

Hi everyone, could I get some help choosing a motherboard? I'm finding it difficult as customer feedback keep scaring me off! I won't be gaming or overclocking, I mainly want stability and longevity. I'll be using it for video editing, animation, rendering and high res digital painting, I can spend about $150-$200.

I've seen people suggest Z series use higher quality components so I'll probably still go Z170. I'd prefer Intel over Realtek/Killer for the NIC.

I have no idea which brands are reliable since they all get their share of bad customer feedback.

I was warming to Gigabyte but I find their standoff layout bizarre and gives me the vibe of serious cost cutting.

ASRock Extreme4/6, Asus Z170-A, Asus Maximus VIII Ranger and Gigabyte Z170X-UD3/GA-Z170XP-SLI are ones I've been looking at so far. Cost isn't an issue, not bothered about saving $20 or so, I'll hopefully be using it for years so I just want whichever is most reliable.

Any recommendations much appreciated!

Id be floored if you could tell the difference between Intel NIC and Realtek or Killer NICs...

For all intents and purposes, they are all pretty reliable.

Standoff layout is bizarre? What do you mean here? Standoffs are always in the same place... its a standard.

Any of those boards you chose will be fine. Nobody here can tell you if any are more reliable than the other. If I was you, I would simply pick the one that looks the best and has all the features you require in the board.

With respect, you will need to get over 'being scared' about more expensive parts. For what you do, it sure seems like you could use the horsepower the X99 platform and a hex core CPU can provide...

 

[Sasqui]

Standoff layout is bizarre? What do you mean here? Standoffs are always in the same place... its a standard.

Same thought here

 

[NinNin]

Same thought here

They are missing the 3 standoffs on the 24-pin side, so only using 6 instead of 9 standoffs. I think that is called flex ATX? I've never seen it before.

Edit: attached example pic.

 

[EarthDog]

Perhaps that is a different size board.. but not all boards are that size. Get an ATX sized board and your standoffs are in the same place on each and every board. Get a different sized board, the standoffs have other standard locations.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Id be floored if you could tell the difference between Intel NIC and Realtek or Killer NICs...

It's easy to tell the killer NIC...it's a total PITA!! LOL. It's the only thing I don't like about all the recent MSI boards.

 

[Sasqui]

They are missing the 3 standoffs on the 24-pin side, so only using 6 instead of 9 standoffs. I think that is called flex ATX? I've never seen it before.

Edit: attached example pic.
View attachment 72243

That is unusual. The missing one at the top right would concern me when stuffing RAM in.

 

[ASOT]

Asus Z170-A but also keep in mind take the one is cheaper from Asus or Gigabyte,better for reliability

8+2 phase,memory up 3000+ OC,M2,has everything u need/use.

No fancy colors or lights effects ))

 

[FordGT90Concept]

A friend explained to me an Intel NIC reduces CPU activity which could help reduce stutter in digital painting, not sure if that means much though, mostly I'm going on the feedback with people saying Killer is a PITA.

The MSI Z170A Krait uses Intel NIC, has a cray cray amount of I/O on the back that makes Asus seem stingy but uses that bizarre layout Gigabyte is using, I know I'll probably snap it putting in the 24-pin.

Which reminds me, my only complaint about the GAMING M7 is that it doesn't have enough USB ports (I have something in every USB port at the back and that's considering the fact KVM puts mouse + keyboard into one USB cable). Krait looks like it does.

They are missing the 3 standoffs on the 24-pin side, so only using 6 instead of 9 standoffs. I think that is called flex ATX? I've never seen it before.

Edit: attached example pic.
View attachment 72243

It is ATX but it isn't standard width. There's really nothing wrong with these boards, just shove a finger under the board when pushing the 24-pin in.

 

[newtekie1]

I did consider it but the X99 mobos seem expensive currently. I'd be too scared to use it!

Yeah, but like I said, overall you are only paying about $100 more, and getting 6-cores/12-Threads right off the bat.

 

[qubit]

The AsRock Extreme series boards have been very good to me, and when I have had to deal with AsRock RMAs they have been quick and they always fixed the problem first try.

I've not had to buy a mobo for years, but a recommendation like this really makes the difference for me. Good customer service is very important indeed. Thanks for being my product tester nt!

 

[Shou Miko]

I would say look at what u need features and price wise but find a board with a Intel onboard NIC bcs it's just better than a Killer NIC and if u want the game features Asus GameFirst got u covered and it's not locked to only work with a Asus board, it works with Intel Onboard NIC.

 

[EarthDog]

Yeah, but like I said, overall you are only paying about $100 more, and getting 6-cores/12-Threads right off the bat.

This. The difference in mobo cost maybe $50? Then you need (should get) quad channel ram for the X99 platform maybe another what $50 (so his $100, LOL!). Otherwise, the processor (thinking 5820K) costs just as much as 6700K. You would want all the cores you can get for what you are doing.

I really don't understand why 'good customer service' is so high on many people's lists.... If you had a look at overall failure and RMA, its typically less than 5%...around 1-3%. So chances are quite good that you won't ever need to deal with them. Couple that with the fact that although you hear horror stories from EVERY company's customer service, that is also incredibly rare. For every complaint you hear of, there are 90 others that didn't mention it went smooth...

... just something to think about.

 

[newtekie1]

Then you need (should get) quad channel ram for the X99 platform maybe another what $50 (so his $100, LOL!).

Really, you don't even need quad-channel RAM. You can use a dual-channel kit just fine on X99 with little performance loss. So if the cost of DDR4 is a concern, just start with 2 sticks from a good manufacturer, and add 2 more later. But, yes, ideally a quad-channel kit would be nice.