mATX Z77 -- Asus Maximus V Gene vs. Gigabyte Gigabyte G1.sniper M3

Which mATX Z77 Motherboard?

  • ASUS Maximus V Gene

    Votes: 25 62.5%

  • Gigabyte G1.Sniper M3

    Votes: 15 37.5%
  • Total voters
    40
D

devman

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Messages
2,400
So I've been contemplating getting a Z77 mATX motherboard for my new build and I'm wondering what other [H]'ers would choose for a motherboard.

Borrowed shamelessly from the SFF forum.

jamaicanpi said:
Gigabyte
G1.Sniper M3 (Gigabyte)
6-phase VRM (CPU); 6 SATA (2 x 6Gb/s); Creative SoundCore 3D w/ headphone amplifier; Intel NIC; Rear panel: 2 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0;​


Asus
Maximus V gene ([H]ardOCP; ASUS)
8-phase VRM (CPU); 6 SATA (4 x 6Gb/s); Supreme FX III audio; Intel NIC; Rear panel: 4 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0; mPCIe slot;​
Click to expand...

I was originally leaning toward the Asus M5G but all the reports of bad ASUS RMA's have made me shy from that somewhat.
 
I'd favor the G1.Sniper M3 since I don't believe the added controllers and +2 phases on the Maximus V GENE add are worth the price premium, at least to myself. At $40-$50 cheaper, the ASUS P8Z77-M PRO (6-phase, Realtek NIC) seems much more interesting than the ASUS Maximus V GENE and closer to the price bracket of the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper M3. As a budget option with only 4-phase power, the ASROCK Z77 Extreme4-M configuration is also an interesting value.

Especially with mATX boards, it ultimately it comes down to what added features you value the most in a motherboard, since space is limited.

$210-220 ASUS Maximus V GENE
$170-180 GIGABYTE G1.Sniper M3
$160-170 ASUS P8Z77-M PRO
$130-140 ASROCK Z77 Extreme4-M
 
I just placed an order for a Maximus V Gene today, so my vote is for that.

I just love the design on the Gene. Also, it kind of bugs me that relatively
high end boards are still including old tech (PS2 port, VGA etc.).
It's minor, but it just ruins it for me personally.
 
Burpy said:
I just placed an order for a Maximus V Gene today, so my vote is for that.

I just love the design on the Gene. Also, it kind of bugs me that relatively
high end boards are still including old tech (PS2 port, VGA etc.).
It's minor, but it just ruins it for me personally.
Click to expand...
I agree. The MVG looks so nice without all those old connectors.
 
I'm still waiting on a good review for the Gigabyte board. If the onboard audio for the G1.Sniper M3 (creative chip with amps) is decent I'll probably go with that over the MVG, otherwise I'll stick to my original plan of getting the MVG.

The only connector on the G1.Sniper M3 that could really be done without is the VGA connector. I know there are some who would think the lack of PS/2 on the MVG is a weakness not a strength.
 
If you go with the gigabyte sniper m3, don't buy it from the egg, cheaper places out there. About to order one myself.
 
devman said:
I'm still waiting on a good review for the Gigabyte board. If the onboard audio for the G1.Sniper M3 (creative chip with amps) is decent I'll probably go with that over the MVG, otherwise I'll stick to my original plan of getting the MVG.

The only connector on the G1.Sniper M3 that could really be done without is the VGA connector. I know there are some who would think the lack of PS/2 on the MVG is a weakness not a strength.
Click to expand...

Oh trust me, you dont want to get lower quality mobo just because of the decent onboard sound, the Gene also has Supreme FX III, which is enhanced Reatelk chip, but its decent enough as well, and if you want so much to have AMP for your headphones, for 25 bucks you can get Xonar DG which will blow out of the water any onboard solution,the AMP on it its rated at 150 ohms, which is good enough for your need i guess.
 
psyside said:
Oh trust me, you dont want to get lower quality mobo just because of the decent onboard sound, the Gene also has Supreme FX III, which is enhanced Reatelk chip, but its decent enough as well, and if you want so much to have AMP for your headphones, for 25 bucks you can get Xonar DG which will blow out of the water any onboard solution,the AMP on it its rated at 150 ohms, which is good enough for your need i guess.
Click to expand...

How is it a lower quality board? It is still a gigabyte ultra durable 4 series board and some people really like those boards.

Also putting a Xonar DG in either the Maximus V Gene or the G1.Sniper M3 would be rather difficult seeing as they both lack PCI slots.
 
devman said:
How is it a lower quality board? It is still a gigabyte ultra durable 4 series board and some people really like those boards.

Also putting a Xonar DG in either the Maximus V Gene or the G1.Sniper M3 would be rather difficult seeing as they both lack PCI slots.
Click to expand...

Oh lol! i totaly forgot about DG being PCI, sorry for that.

I'm lazy to explain why is the Asus mobo better pick but in short, it use Nichicon (ultra high end) capacitors, (on the whole PCB) and also its using high end phase array, that along with the amazing BIOS is enough, i want even talk about the other advantages, its late here and i'm sleepy.
 
Last edited:
Burpy said:
I just placed an order for a Maximus V Gene today, so my vote is for that.

I just love the design on the Gene. Also, it kind of bugs me that relatively
high end boards are still including old tech (PS2 port, VGA etc.).
It's minor, but it just ruins it for me personally.
Click to expand...

How is a PS2 port bad? These stuff are great for NKRO mechanical keyboards due to USB limitations.
 
yimingwuzere said:
How is a PS2 port bad? These stuff are great for NKRO mechanical keyboards due to USB limitations.
Click to expand...

I didn't meant as a blanket statement, just a personal preference.
The great thing is the wide array of features each MB has that cater to different needs & preference.

I'm sure there is someone happy that ASRock included a floppy connector in one of their Z77 boards.:)
 
So I'm purchasing today or tomorrow and still haven't decided, but I'm leaning back toward the ASUS.
 
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