Pros: Once again Intel has produced an Extreme motherboard that meets that title. I have 2 units with this motherboard and built one for a friend. They previously had a HP computer and can't believe the vast difference from that system to their new one. So would I suggest this to a friend - I BUILT one for them!

Cons: The SATA connections still baffles me as to why Intel puts them "sideways" on the Extreme boards instead of being able to get to them easily from outside the case. But not a big enough con for me to deduct an egg.

Overall Review: Don't crimp on the processor or the RAM- the i5 2500 and above make this board a pleasure to experience and GSkill 1600 DDR3 8gb is a perfect starting point. I am going to try advancing to 16gb (the board is rated at 32gb) to see if going from 4gb to 8gb has the same influence on this board as 4gb to 8gb did. The 8gb just added so much umph to the operating system and the applications.

Pros: Works with Virtualization for Windows 7 XP mode(s) both 32bit and 64bit installations when it isn't freezing or rebooting.

Cons: I have RMA'd 3 motherboards back to Intel that were locking up or random rebooting. Intel had me test memory, video, power supply, hard drive, and DVD drive. I now have one just sitting on a desk since I ordered a NEW one from NewEgg that is doing the same thing. Intel's motherboards were ALL refurbed

Overall Review: Intel community web page has 11 PAGES of postings from May 2009 to Dec 1 2009 of users having the same issues and ONLY a HAND FULL of Intel Company Employees saying to call Customer Support. Well Customer Support in outside of US apparently doesn't know that because they keep blaming other components. It is hard to believe that such a wide variety of hardware would display EXACTLY the same issues and when those components are put into another MBD manufacturers system there are no repeats.

Pros: This was to replace a system I built 12 years previously. This motherboard has everything I needed for my build - SATA, M.2, USB, and slots for my 2 video cards PLUS additional slots available. I went with Gen 12 Intel i7 - k version. The end result was a very quick and responsive desktop.

Cons: The motherboard documentation came in CHINESE only - had to go online to get an English version of the setup. The memory didn't synch to the RAM speed purchased and it wasn't suppose to require overclocking. Overclocking wasn't documented and I "accepted" the memory speed the motherboard recognized. I would have been happier if the memory speed was fully utilized without jumping through hoops.

Overall Review: I would recommend this motherboard to others.

Pros: ATX board fit perfectly, plenty of room for air flow, 3.5 ssd drive bays provided, 5.25 external bays easy to install Blu-Ray drive, good upper and lower ventilation'

Cons: Power supply at bottom of case inside an enclosed space making it challenging to route cables to upper connections.

Overall Review: Would recommend to others BUT make sure you have a power supply with longer cables to route to upper part of case.

Pros: Easy install in new case/system. Reading is super fast on CDs, DVDs, and Blu Ray media.

Cons: None

Overall Review: Would definitely recommend the drive.

Pros: NONE at this point - after almost 3 months I thought MSI would have current drivers that would work on their support website but they have made no effort to update this card.

Cons: MSI drivers will NOT load even from the website. Windows 7 64bit update does see the card but downloads "standard" VGA drivers which don't see my 22" widescreen LCD and gives me only the "standard" video configurations of 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024 which makes the screen too large for comfort.

Overall Review: I sent an email to MSI as they requested in their June comments to my posting. I sent it with receipt and read returns and it is a good thing I did - I got an IMMEDIATE "reply" - They DELETED IT! Didn't even read the email - just deleted it! GREAT TECH SUPPORT MSI! ! ! I am so glad that my order of yesterday did NOT include an MSI video card! I really appreciate the "help"!