Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 motherboard

The Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 motherboard costs more than the average motherboard and is cheaper than the average motherboard fitted with the add-on cards you will need soon. The Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 already includes USB3. If you did not buy a motherboard with USB3, you would have to add on at least one extra card.

USB3

USB3 is fast enough to replace both USB2 and eSATA. Modern computer cases have two USB3 ports on the front. The Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 has two USB3 ports on the back and a socket to connect two USB3 ports from the front of the computer case. You get everything you need now and for the next few years.

Compare this motherboard with the next level down in price. Based the comparison just on the USB3 connections. There are similar boards without USB3 selling locally for $150. For $180 you can get motherboards with two USB3 ports at the back but no connection for the front. The Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 cost $215. Based purely on the USB3 ports, the Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 cost an extra $35 to supply the two USB3 connections for the front of the case. An add-on card to provide one USB3 connection for the front of the case can cost from $45 up to $60 for a reliable brand.

If you are buying a new case, the extra cost of a case with two USB3 ports at the front is trivial. The Asus P8 Z68-V/GEN3 costs just $35 extra to cleanly and reliably connect those ports. You do not need any add-on cards. There are no add-on cards chewing up power and blocking the flow of cooling air.