EVGA Z68 FTW 160-SB-E689-KR LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: -Nice layout, easy to access all plugs -On board power/reset buttons -Rear CMOS reset button -EVGA is a good company -Many fan headers -Rear case punch-out has mini-fan in it

Cons: -Had to update BIOS to make eLeet see my overclock.

Overall Review: Make sure you update your bios, drivers, etc and you should have no probs. Not knocking an egg for a required update process that took 2 min.

Pros: * Solid pedigree - I moved up from an EVGA 780i build so have learned to like/understand EVGA (2nd build). * Mostly simple BIOS menus for easy management when overclocking, managing voltage fixes and manual RAM input. * Super-quick boot POST - especially once you disable some features you wont need. Dont be scared of the "no drives found!" message you see - most users will disable the items looking for them (see EVGA forums). * LED doubles as CPU temp gauge after POST - a bit helpful when you first set up your build, no so much afterwards. * EVGA ELEET software suite is nice and accurate except it wont save your GPU voltage change after reboots - use MSI Afterburner for this instead.

Cons: * More BIOS options seem to be available on competing boards - I considered the ASROCK Gen 3 Fatality but was scared off by bad tech support posts. * Only 2 x SATA3 ports, other boards do more * Only 4 x SATA2 ports, other boards do more * 16x slot will run at 8x if second card added I believe - which is lame considering EVGA is a gfx card powerhouse. * USB 3.0 support seems to be a bit wiggy on this series (see EVGA forums) - basically its hit and miss, one day working, next day problematic. * Manual does not explain BIOS menu options, which the 780i material did.

Overall Review: The 24pin power connector is flat against the board (see the pic), I like this as it keeps the thick, braided power cord flat with the board, keeping air flow towards the CPU cooler heatsink at a maximum - others seem to disagree. I managed a Xigmatek Aegir and use of all four RAM slots just barely so you can too! Fan (120mm Cougar) sits up against the 1st ram stick without 2 of the rubber push screws in, but does not force it. The NB heatsink is about 41mm tall and the Aegir bottom fin rests squarely on it. i7 2600K x Xigmatek Aegir 16GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133mhz EVGA Z68 For the Win EVGA 570 GTX SC 1024MB Intel 510 SSD WD 1TB WD 500GB ASUS 20x DVD-R Corsair Silent Gold 1000W PSU CM 932 HAF Advanced Win 64bit Ultimate NOTE: The -K2 mobo is the SAME board as this just with the CPU guage and front panel display. You can live without these and save yourself the money.

Pros: Before I bought this, I did research on its overclockability and its data transfer, and this board placed nearly first. In my experience, It lives up to these reviews. Great board for overclocking, as it can provide up to 12 different speed settings for PWM fans, and it just FEELS more durable than the ASUS boards I've bought.

Cons: This isn't really an issue for me, but the board does NOT allow me to put my computer in Sleep or Hibernate. If I do, it boots right back up. When I contacted one of EVGA's product managers (which took me a week or two to do), he said that it was a common complaint, and hopefully would be fixed by either a Microsoft Update or an EVGA one.

Overall Review: I got this board for $200, and it is DEFINITELY worth that price. for $250.............just go buy an ASUS board, especially if you use Sleep and Hibernate.

Pros: Has everything you could ask for in a Mobo. looks awesome. Has status lights that actually function properly. EVGA has a great software suite to accompany the board itself.

Cons: Absolutely none.

Overall Review: Defaults to 1.5V for DIMM rails. Be sure to enter in all custom values needed before pushing it too hard.

Pros: Easy to navigate BIOS for pros Easy to overclock Works great out of box Lots of features Free thermal gel

Cons: Confusing issues when setting up BIOS (sometimes while overclocking my windows will only recognize 1.6GHz single core) USB 3.0 ports and header on mine are dead, waiting for support Awkward sticker placement (got in way of cpu cooling)

Overall Review: Unconventional designs may be good or bad depending on preference (e.g 90 degrees 24-pin, small pci-e at slot1)

Pros: This board has a mail-in-rebate. Click on the "Manufacturer's Product Page" link to find it. Newegg usually is aware of these things, but does not appear to be in this case. The manufacturer's website lists a 3 year warranty but, in general, EVGA products must be registered with EVGA within 30 days or you only get a 1 year warranty. Make sure you don't forget to register.

Cons: n/a

Pros: It's made by EVGA and has a generous amount of pcie slots.

Cons: Board doesn't post. The mobo flickers when I turn on the power switch. I thought it might have been the power supply, but to no avail as I purchased an expensive one to make my computer somewhat future proof. Got a replacement from newegg... same deal. I ended up contacting evga customer support and they had no idea what the problem is. I used to be a huge evga fanboy, but after this experience, all I have is a bad taste is my mouth.

Overall Review: If evga reads this, which I hope they do.. make a customer happy by either sending me one of the z77 boards or a full refund. No customer should have to go through this painful process. You say you pride yourselves in your customer support, now prove it.

Pros: Evga makes things for one purpose, Gaming and this board shows it. I've seen in other reviews saying the overclocking interface is to complicated, I respectively disagree. I was able to get my i5 2550k to 4.4@ 1.3v & ram 2133 easily and it is extremely stable. If you do have issues the evga mods and community is one of the best.

Cons: the front panel audio port is on the left most of the board

Overall Review: If your a gamer this is the board for you hands down