Today we are checking out a pair of Asrock X79 motherboards designed to provide users with an affordable option for this high-end platform. Although they are affordable, the X79 Extreme4 and X79 Extreme4-M are not light on features, offering much of the same gear found on the more expensive LGA2011 boards...

Therefore it appears that Asrock has the affordable LGA2011 segment stitched up nicely and in our opinion offers the best motherboards for pairing with the Intel Core i7-3820 processor. The X79 Extreme4 and X79 Extreme4-M are well rounded boards offering excellent performance, exceptional overclocking abilities, rich feature sets, unbeatable value and low power consumption.

Today we are checking out a bite size motherboard from Asrock that takes the Sandy Bridge platform and shrinks it down to the Mini-ITX form factor. Called the Z68M-ITX/HT this motherboard can not only utilize the latest and greatest Intel processors but can also be equipped with a range of high-end graphics cards...

Coupled with the right computer case and a mid-range graphics card, keen gamers could find themselves with a relatively powerful and highly portable gaming system that doesn’t hurt the wallet. Overall we believe that the Asrock Z68M-ITX/HT makes for the ultimate value Mini-ITX motherboard. It provides support for the latest Intel processors while combining the latest platform features all in one neat little package.

Today we are checking out one of the most expensive desktop motherboards money can buy, as we give the Asus flagship X58 motherboard the once over. Known as the Rampage III Black Edition, this enthusiast type motherboard has it all from high-end discrete audio to unbeatable network performance...

Having spent the past few weeks playing with the Asus Rampage III Black Edition and checking out its various features, I now find myself having to sum it all up in our conclusion. The problem is I cannot decide one way or the other as to whether I like this product or not. So let’s start with what I do like...

Today we are checking out the latest Intel Z68 based motherboard from Gigabyte designed to deliver the very latest features to this mainstream platform. Features such as the Intel Smart Response Technology and Lucid Virtu are included as well as some other great features that help make the Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 a well rounded motherboard...

Gigabyte has put together an impressive motherboard with the Z68X-UD3H-B3, and at $170 it represents excellent value. At this price its nearest competitor is the Asrock Z68 Extreme4, though that particular board still costs an additional $20. In fact Gigabyte has a Z68 board for almost every price point, and currently has the most extensive range on offer.

Today we are taking a look at the Gigabyte G1.Sniper which is an extreme motherboard that is designed for extreme gaming. As a member of the elite G1.Killer family, this no expense spared motherboard boasts the very best features found on any motherboard today. So for those after a motherboard that makes no compromises, be sure to check out our take on the G1.Sniper...

The advantage of featuring these high quality embedded devices is that it frees up the expansion slots for 3-way CrossFireX or 3-way SLI configurations, which is ultimately what the G1.Sniper is all about. It means that gamers can install triple Radeon HD 6970 graphics cards for example and not have to worry about having no room left for their sound card, as it is already included onboard.

Today we are checking out the Gigabyte E350N-USB3 which is based on the new AMD Fusion platform. AMD Fusion is the marketing name for a series of APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) that have been in development since 2006. The final design is the result of AMD's merger with ATI, combining general processor execution as well as 3D geometry processing and other functions of modern GPUs into a single chip.

The Gigabyte E350N-USB3 was very strong in terms of performance, beating the Asus E35 M1-M Pro at almost every turn. Furthermore the overclocking performance was also very good, as it is possible to push the processor as high as 1.92GHz providing you have sufficient case cooling.

Today we are checking out the compact yet very powerful Asus Rampage III GENE motherboard, which is based on the MicroATX form factor. This motherboard boasts the Intel X58 chipset providing support for the latest Intel Core i7 processors and triple-channel DDR3 memory. However Asus has also included a number of modern features, such as USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s support...

The Asus Rampage III GENE is a very solid motherboard providing strong performance, impressive overclocking abilities and up to date features. Without a doubt this is the most powerful MicroATX motherboard available and at $240 US it is also the most expensive. However price aside, the Rampage III GENE is a must have item for serious gamers looking to build a powerful mATX gaming system.

Gigabyte has recently expanded their Intel X58 motherboard line-up with a new and rather unique addition called the X58A-UD9. Like the X58A-UD7 before it, the UD9 has heaps and heaps of features on offer. However where the X58A-UD9 differs is in its support for multi-GPU technology, which it is fair to say is rather extreme. So extreme in fact that this motherboard does feature a ridiculous price tag, which will certainly place it out of reach for most!

There is no reason, at least as far as we can tell, as to why this motherboard should cost $700 US. It would seem that Gigabyte are hoping anyone able to drop $2000 US on the latest 4-way SLI setup is probably not going to blink twice when spending $700 US on a motherboard, and well, they are probably right. So then this product really needs no review, as those who typically read reviews like to know exactly what they are getting before parting with their hard earned cash, and with the Gigabyte X58A-UD9 what you get for $700 US doesn’t quite add up.

Today we are checking out the latest AMD 890FX based motherboard from Gigabyte, designed to deliver the very latest features to the AM3 platform. Features such as USB3 and SATA3 are included, as well as some pretty impressive overclocking abilities, that help make the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 a very well rounded motherboard...

Okay, so first things first. Let’s work out the $240 US price tag. The Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 is by far the most expensive AMD 890FX based motherboard, making it one of the most expensive AM3 motherboards available. Clearly performance has nothing to do with the price, as you can expect all 890FX motherboards to deliver roughly the same performance.

For those of you who are looking at upgrading to the AMD AM3 platform and do not wish to spend a great deal of money but would still also like to receive the latest features, then we have the perfect motherboard for you. The new Asrock 870 Extreme3 provides many new features, such as USB 3.0 and 6Gb/s SATA, for a little over $100 US...

The Asrock 870 Extreme3 is all about value and at a little over $100 US there is plenty of that on offer. Those looking at upgrading to the AM3 platform that only require a single GPU solution, which I dare say is most of you, will find that the AMD 870 chipset meets all your demands. Currently it seems that the typical AMD 870 based motherboard is selling for around $110 US, which is exactly where the 870 Extreme3 fits in.

Today we are checking out the latest AMD 890GX based motherboard from Gigabyte, designed to deliver the very latest features to the AM3 platform. Features such as USB3 and SATA3 are included, as well as some pretty impressive overclocking abilities, that help make the Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H a very well rounded motherboard...

Although the 890GPA-UD3H might be the only AMD 890GX based motherboard that Gigabyte has on offer right now, we feel that it is one of the best examples available. Priced at just $140 US, the Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H is unquestionably one of the most affordable 890GX motherboards money can buy. In fact, there are just a few select boards that are cheaper, which include models from Asrock as well as the ultra cheap ECS A890GXM-A.

Today we are checking out the latest Intel X58 based motherboard from Asrock, designed to deliver the very latest features to this enthusiast platform. Features such as USB3 and SATA3 are included, as well as some pretty impressive overclocking abilities that help make the Asrock X58 Deluxe3 a very well rounded motherboard...

Now if the overclocking results alone are not enough of a selling point, Asrock has been quiet diligent when it comes to onboard features. As far as motherboards go the X58 Extreme3 is about as well equipped as they come, particularly when compared to other examples priced at under $200 US. In fact, it is the price tag that has us so excited about the X58 Extreme3.

Today we are checking out two of the best Intel H55 based motherboards money can buy, the Asus P7H55-M Pro and Gigabyte H55M-UD2H. These are ideal motherboards for pairing with the new Intel Core i3 series, making for an excellent HTPC solution or perhaps even a modest gaming system...

The key advantage of the H55M-UD2H is its Firewire support, and while this is not a lot to go on as not everyone is going to find this feature useful, its absence on the P7H55-M Pro gives Gigabyte the edge. Additionally, Asus failed to provide DisplayPort on the P7H55-M Pro where as this feature can be found on the H55M-UD2H, improving connectivity further.

Today we are checking out the latest Intel P55 based motherboard from Asrock designed to deliver the very latest features to this affordable platform. Features such as USB3 and SATA3 are included as well as some pretty impressive overclocking abilities that help make the Asrock P55 Deluxe3 a very well rounded motherboard...

For that kind of money the Asrock P55 Deluxe3 certainly has a lot on offer while the inclusion of SATA3 (6Gb/s) and USB 3.0 (5Gb/s) support means that it should ward off future upgrades for quite some time. While the ability to support upcoming USB 3.0 devices is an impressive feature of the P55 Deluxe3 there are already a number of motherboards that are USB 3.0 ready and many of them are even cheaper.

Today we have the ASUS M4A79T Deluxe motherboard to check out. This motherboard has been designed to accommodate the new AMD Phenom II processors. However not just any Phenom II processors will work, as this is an AM3 motherboard, which also means DDR3 memory is on the menu...

Then the M4A79T Deluxe also has to contend with the fact that there are plenty of cheaper AMD 790FX motherboards designed to use DDR2 memory with the AM2+ socket. Therefore, it is clear that the M4A79T Deluxe is not designed or intended to be used in budget systems. Rather, the M4A79T Deluxe is a no expenses spared motherboard, designed for Phenom II users trying to get the very best performance out of their processor.

Today we have the ECS A790GXM-AD3 motherboard to check out. This motherboard has been designed to accommodate the new AMD Phenom II processors. However not just any Phenom II processors will work, as this is an AM3 motherboard which also means DDR3 memory is on the menu...

It was no secret that we expected very little from the ECS A790GXM-AD3, and the reason for this was made clear in the introduction. Having now tested the A790GXM-AD3 and looked at its features in greater detail, our initial thoughts on the board were accurate. The fact remains that there is no need for a budget AM3 motherboard given today’s DDR3 prices.

Today we are going to be checking out a brand new motherboard from ASUS and surprisingly it is not designed for Intel’s latest Core i7 processor, nor does it support the AMD Phenom II processors. Rather, what we have here is a good old Core 2 motherboard sporting the Intel P45 chipset called the ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo...

First things first, let’s talk a little bit about overclocking. The P5Q PRO Turbo quickly proved to be an impressive overclocker, and like many ASUS motherboards, it made overclocking all too easy! This motherboard was able to push our trusty Core 2 Duo E8400 processor to a stable 4.4GHz overclock, which is one of the better results that this processor has achieved in our hands.

Today we are taking a break from the ultra high-end gaming gear to bring you a review on something a little less extreme. The ECS 945GCT-D is in fact anything but extreme, at least in terms of performance. It does however provide users with a low cost, low power alternative to computing...

The ECS 945GCT-D is a great little motherboard, sporting a low powered CPU that is capable of taking on simple day to day tasks. For over six months now we have been using the Gigabyte GC230D and found it more than adequate for using Office 2007, surfing the net, and e-mailing. Furthermore, housed in a tiny Mini-ITX case, it straps nicely on the back of a Dell 24” LCD, where it hides away never to be seen.

Today we are checking out a brand new Intel P45 based motherboard from ECS designed to deliver high-end performance to the masses. While this budget board costs roughly $100 US, it does have one interesting surprise in store for bargain shoppers that it not likely to impress. Since its arrival DDR3 memory has done little to impress, offering mediocre performance gains at ridiculous price premiums. So does it have any place on a budget ECS motherboard?

It has finally occurred to us that the ECS P45T-AD3 is a bit of an unusual motherboard for one simple reason. This reason being of course that it only supports DDR3 memory, which as you are likely aware costs significantly more than DDR2 and offers no real performance advantages on the Core 2 platform. Although DDR3 memory has dropped significantly in price recently, it still costs roughly twice as much as DDR2 memory, making it far less cost effective.

Today we are checking out the MSI P45 Platinum which is built around the Intel P45 Express chipset. This motherboard features a rather modest price tag of just $170 US making it cheaper than most other high-end competing P45 products. Despite this you can still expect to get the same level of quality with the P45 Platinum...

Well, if the $170 US price tag associated with this high-end Intel P45 motherboard fails to grab your attention, the board design certainly won’t! You have to hand it to MSI, they have gone outside the box with this design. While ASUS and Gigabyte are battling each other to deliver the biggest and most outrageous cooling designs, MSI stuck with a relatively slim design that is every bit as exciting.

Today we are checking out a new motherboard from Gigabyte which goes by the name MA790GP-DS4H, which I guess really is more of a codename. This new motherboard is designed to support AM2+ processors using the AMD 790GX chipset, which I have to admit did not have us all that excited to begin with...

The AMD 790GX is an impressive chipset that offers exceptional integrated graphics performance and it’s not light on features either. Now with support for six SATA devices and twelve USB 2.0 ports, this AMD chipset offers the essential features required to compete with similar Intel platforms. The Gigabyte MA790GP-DS4H has proven to be ideal for HTPC use, and without the need for an add-in 3D graphic card, power consumption levels are going to be very low.

Today we are taking a look at a seriously extreme motherboard from ASUS featuring the latest and greatest Intel X48 chipset. Codenamed 'Bearlake' this chipset is the successor of the popular Intel X38 chipset. However it was not so much the chipset that impressed us, but rather the amount of unique features that ASUS has managed to squeeze onto this motherboard...

The list of features that can be found on the Rampage Extreme is immense, and literally just goes on and on. Some features really stood out, like the modular cooling, giving the user the choice between a water-cooled or passively cooled setup. The taller oversized heatsinks are an excellent idea and to avoid any compatibility problems ASUS has also included more standard shorter versions of these heatsinks.

Today we are taking a look at a new motherboard from Gigabyte featuring the upcoming Intel P45 chipset. Codename 'Eaglelake' this chipset is set to be the successor of the popular Intel P35. This new chipset supports a range of new features thanks to the inclusion of the ICH10R south bridge chip and at $190 US we are keen to see what this motherboard has on offer...

The Gigabyte EP45-DS4 is an impressive high-end Intel P45 motherboard that offers users a wealth of features, top performance and excellent efficiency. Really we found very few problems with the EP45-DS4, as it stood out as one of the best new Intel motherboards we have tested. The onboard audio for example worked well, the network performance was excellent and we really liked the High Velocity 2X Bandwidth Boost feature.

Today we are taking our second look at a new motherboard from ASUS featuring the upcoming Intel P45 chipset. Codename 'Eaglelake' this chipset is set to be the successor of the popular Intel P35 chipset. This new chipset supports a range of new features thanks to the inclusion of the ICH10 south bridge chip and unlike the P5Q3 Deluxe this motherboards supports DDR2 memory...

In terms of performance the P5Q Deluxe is every bit as good as the P5Q3 Deluxe, as our DDR2-1066 configuration was easily able to match the higher clocked DDR3-1333 enabled systems. Of course all the special features that we enjoyed using when testing the P5Q3 Deluxe, such as the Express Gate, Drive Xpert and EPU-Six Engine, are also present on the DDR2 version, while users can also enjoy a whole host of other features.

Today we are taking a peak at a new motherboard from ASUS featuring an upcoming Intel chipset. Codename 'Eaglelake' this new chipset will be soon better known simply as P45, and as you have probably already guessed, this will be the successor of the popular Intel P35 chipset. This new chipset supports a range of new features thanks to the inclusion of the ICH10 south bridge chip...

Overall, ASUS has created an impressive motherboard and we have struggled to find much wrong with the P5Q3 Deluxe. Although the board is expected to be quite expensive, this price tag is typical of such a high-end motherboard. Far too few motherboards offer such an extreme level of performance, features and stability. When you consider the impressive bundle that comes with the P5Q3 Deluxe, the price should be easily justified. The ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe will be a hot motherboard for anyone hunting down the very best of the best.