GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: This thing works like a fine Swiss watch. It took me maybe thirty minutes to install in my old case. Plugged everything in, pushed the power button, bingo it booted up from my old hard drive operating system (Windows 7) & worked like a charm. This is the easiest motherboard swap I have ever done. Very well engineered!

Cons: I don't think it's a fault on the boards part - - but - - Itel's 3000 graphics fall below my expectations, you still need a mid range or better graphics card.

Overall Review: Buying a new motherboard is perplexing, there are so many choices. Here's my criteria latest technology (1055 Sandybridge) & newest bios plus the best combo deal. In total frustration I went to Tom's blog; the first intelligent blog that include what I was looking for said to buy this - - I did & don't regret it.

Pros: Worked great out of the box and for 5 months

Cons: Everything was fine with this board for the first 5 months after purchase. Out of nowhere last week it just died on me. My computer shut down randomly while working and tried to boot up twice without success. After I unplugged the power to check the power supply it wouldn't do anything. It was completely dead...I re-seated everything tried another power supply with no luck.

After working on it half the day I decided to jump on Newegg to order a new board. I picked up an ASRock with much better reviews. Booted right up after the new motherboard.

I'd stay away from this board. After going back through all the boot loop issues and DOA it's not worth the hassle when you can get an equally good board with better reliability.

I won't be purchasing another Gygayte board again.

Overall Review: None