B85 Motherboards

[Willzzz]

I am definitely getting a Haswell build, but I'm not sure how much to spend.

B85 boards are much cheaper, and I don't see that I'm really losing much apart from overclocking ability.
http://uk.hardware.info/reviews/4444...85-asus-b85m-g

I mean you lose a few USB3 and SATA3, but you still get 4 of each which sounds plentiful for my needs.
Is there anything else I am losing?

Otherwise I'm kinda tempted by the Z87 Gryphon:
http://uk.hardware.info/reviews/4444...us-gryphon-z87

Twice the price but I have seen several positive reviews.

Does provide benefits:
* Overclocking
* SLI (not actively planning on it, but would be nice to have the option)
* 5 year warranty
* Intel Network Chip (is this much better than realtek?)
* Slight performance/power advantages
* DirectKey, BIOS FlashBack and MemOK buttons

Or I guess the Gigabyte GA-Z87M-D3H which sits inbetween the two.

Thoughts?

[Shirty]

You have already identified the differences, what you need to do now is decide whether the price difference outweighs the disadvantages. Personally I couldn't live without overclocking ability, so I would pay the (slightly artificial) premium.

[kalniel]

Do you still get the ability to use the IGP for quicksync alongside a dedicated GPU with the B85?

[Bonebreaker777]

Like graphic card switching? I think you need to be able to access the Intel IGP in order to utilize the QuickSync.

Or am I wrong..?

[Willzzz]

OK The B85 is just better, it has 2 PS/2 ports vs ZERO on the Gryphon/Gene.

Seriously, what are Asus thinking? Especially on the Gene, all the other ROG boards have PS/2.

[stilkun]

@kalniel Are you referring to Lucid MVP? I currently can't find any B85 motherboards from either Asus or AsRock that support it while few of the B75 motherboards have it.

Otherwise I think the other workaround I have not confirmed yet on my B75 motherboard is to attach a second monitor to IGP video ports and from the BIOS to configure to boot from IGP first to get QuickSync.

[Bonebreaker777]

I have a B75 MoBo, and dual monitor setup (HDMI plus VGA). And Quicksync works flawlessly. Not sure how it would behave with a dedicated card, don't have any spare

[Damanc]

As its already been stated you have pretty much found all the differences. The B85 chipset is kind of the replacement for H61 - There isn't much of a difference between the two.

[MrJim]

Seriously, what are Asus thinking? Especially on the Gene, all the other ROG boards have PS/2.

I think PS/2 is considered legacy these days, even though it does have certain advantages over USB for things like keyboards (e.g. nkey rollover). I'm old enough to remember way back to c. 1986, when the Intel 80386 was the latest silicon, and the 'Personal System 2' was IBM's hope for reclaiming the desktop market

[Willzzz]

I can see for mainstream boards, but for boards marketed specifically at gamers...

But it's OK, I just bought a Gigabyte model instead.

[Lee H]

OK The B85 is just better, it has 2 PS/2 ports vs ZERO on the Gryphon/Gene.

Seriously, what are Asus thinking? Especially on the Gene, all the other ROG boards have PS/2.

Phasing out legacy ports and connections like PCI as well - that's why

Does anyone actually use PS/2 connections nowadays though?

The majority of the keyboard and mice hardware nowadays are USB based so it make sense to remove the PS2 if they are hardly going to be used and use the space for other things and features.

[Willzzz]

When big name gaming keyboards actively tout their PS2 features you would think a gaming orientated brand would retain the socket.
http://steelseries.com/products/keyb...ries-7g#header
http://zowiegear.com/index.php?i=product&p=2

Indeed most big names proudly advertise PS/2; Filco, Das, Cooler Master, etc.

[Agent]

OK The B85 is just better, it has 2 PS/2 ports vs ZERO on the Gryphon/Gene.

Seriously, what are Asus thinking? Especially on the Gene, all the other ROG boards have PS/2.

I can see for mainstream boards, but for boards marketed specifically at gamers...

But it's OK, I just bought a Gigabyte model instead.

Filco and Microsoft both have keyboards that can do 16 key rollover on USB.

At which point...what's the point? I say this as someone who used to play competitively and made thousands of pounds doing so when I was younger- It's crazy that people think they need more than 16 rollover. Even with a keyboard (not software) based macro, that's an insane number. Where exactly do people see this being used?

PS2 needs to die. Again. It's only marketing that's brought it back. "But you can have unlimited key presses and not just 16!!!!". Barmy.

Pass over the 56K modem and a copy of Unreal Tournament please. This influx of "gamer" hardware (ROG...please ) has gotten silly.

edit -This isn't really aimed at you btw as I know you might be limited to PS2 because the geniuses who make these keyboard couldn't be bothered to do a job on USB properly. Or maybe you do need more than 16 key presses...in which case, where?

[Biscuit]

i have n key rollover in USB anyway, some companies are doing it. 16 key is more than enough, you only have 10 fingers so 16 key would involve 3 fingers pressing two keys and all of the rest pressing a single key, when would you ever be doing this?

I agree with agent on this one, PS2 needs to die completely. Nothing more annoying than moving your keyboard which wiggles it out of the socket forcing you to reboot >_<

[Willzzz]

It's not just the NKRO, there are other advantages such as no need for polling and technologies like Zowie RTR.

[Biscuit]

It's not just the NKRO, there are other advantages such as no need for polling and technologies like Zowie RTR.

And you would be able to tell the difference on a 'blind' test?

Sounds about as realistic as someone claiming they can tell the difference between lossless audio and 320kbps CBR MP3 on normal iPod headphones or the whole 'Killer NIC' thing.