Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

[ssamhouu]

I heard that Gigabyte downgrade their boards with revisions of its original motherboards. It's easy to spot since they have Rev 1.1 or Rev 2.0 or Rev 3.0, but with a same EAN code shops can't tell the difference. Does this also happen with other brands? I'm worried that my next purchase, I end up buying a down grade version if I don't buy the first batch...

Overclock3D :: Article :: Gigabyte in Ebenezer Mode :: When is a revision not a revision?
Spot the differences: Gigabyte motherboard revisions present markedly different test results | Hardware.Info United States

http://tu.pcpop.com/pic-1066133.htm#1

[xLegendary]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

Was quite surprising! Usually what happens its the opposite, the rev up to improve the motherboard and not the other way around...

[SliceT]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

Maybe they think their boards are too good and the need to rev down their components... not!

[ssamhouu]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

Seriously, this really makes you lose confidence in the brand. Other brands same?

[profJim]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

The information provided in your links is at best, misleading.

From: GIGABYTE (AU) - Motherboard - Socket 1150 - GA-B85M-HD3 (rev. 3.0)

at the top left of the page you will see:

Home> Products> Motherboard> Socket 1150> GA-B85M-HD3 (rev. 3.0) GA-B85M-HD3 (rev. 3.0) rev. 2.0 rev. 1.x

Their microsite has a nice features summary chart at GIGABYTE (AU) B85 Series Motherboards where they provide a summary of eight different B85 motherboard models.

You should download the user manual for each motherboard model that you want to compare to verify that the marketing information is correct.

It looks like they did a major redesign from the first version to the second version.

It's possible that the later versions have an improved VRM setup and that they might might be using higher quality motherboard components.

[profJim]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

Gigabyte B85M Motherboard Features

[L1amrob]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

The problem is that they send and promote their model with the first rev and by the time it hits the market or few months later, you get a cheaper and less quality product than what you would have thought you were buying.

[parsec]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

The original question is, do other mother board manufactures do what Gigabyte apparently does with their revisions of a model of board.

I'm not aware of ASRock or Asus having multiple revisions of any of their boards, except in special cases like the Intel 6 series chipset problem. I have two ASRock boards, the same model, purchased about six months apart. They are identical, no changes whatsoever, except the newer board had a newer BIOS version.

At least Gigabyte is flagging the board updates as revisions, although you must check their website to learn if revisions exist.

I would not assume that all revisions are cost saving, lower quality or fewer feature products. I've seen other Gigabyte board revisions that are improvements over the original product.

I'm not saying you're analysis of the revisions is wrong, it is obviously correct in most if not all aspects. But changes or reductions in some parts does not necessarily mean the revision is worse. All parts are not the same, a single 1000uf capacitor is equal to two 500uf capacitors. VRM chips are all not identical in their ratings/capacities, a single 10A rated part can be equal to two 5A parts.

Checking those things is difficult to impossible, and fewer parts usually is worse. Just remember to look as closely as possible before judging a revision.

[jaggerwild]

Re: Do all board makers downgrade their boards like Gigabyte?

Why are you spewing your BS all over the internet, you think your gonna get as cookie? Gigabyte as with all other companies are in BUSINESS to make money simple!

Is it common that board manufacturers downgrading with revisions like Gigabyte?! - AnandTech Forums