Vbulletin destroys PHPBB in every way. It may cost $ but it's worth it.
Invision Power Board hits V-Bulletin, 10x better, phpBB 3.0 is pretty good but the Admin C.P. can be confusing some times..but's it's not bad. I'm glad HyeForum uses IPB, it has to be the easiest forum software by IPB, and it has a very nice clean style as well.