What Z97 mobo should I get?

[ropotan]

Hey guys,

Long story short, I have the following Z97 mobos to choose from for my build:

• Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H
  
• Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5
  
• ASUS Z97-A
  
• MSI Z97 GAMING 5
  
• ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer

I am currently thinking about going with either the Gigabyte UD3H or the Gaming 5, although I've read in other places where the two (UD3H and Gaming 5) are compared, people were saying it doesn't matter which one you get, or that Gaming 5 would be better only because of the onboard audio chipset. If that is the case, I'd still go for the UD3H just because it matches the overall color scheme better (along with the graphics card), and because I have a dedicated sound card. But what's most important is that I value performance over looks, so if you're saying Gaming 5 IS better in terms of performance, I'd get Gaming 5

What should I choose? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[paul878]

I really doesn't matter which motherboard you get once it is in the case.
Spend the money on Video Card and skip the hype on the MB.

 

[twinto23]

for suggestion, i vote for msi z97 gaming 5
because i get one, work well, great audio and internet nic

 

[pikapikachu]

[FONT=&quot]I think asusz97-a and msi z97 gaming 5 are great.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]These twobrands always are my first choose.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]But if I wantto buy a new mobo, I will buy msi z97 gaming 5, my friend said that mobo isgood.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]Most importantis, I prefer that design.[/FONT]

 

[mistersprinkles]

The best bang for the buck between $150-200 is the ASRock Extreme 6.

 

[Icepick]

The Gigabyte Gaming 5 and UD3H have similar features as far as storage options go. M2 and SATA Express, similar SATA and USB ports, etc. These two boards are basically the same for all intents and purposes.

The audio implementation is identical on both and will sound the same either way since there's no difference in the components used. The difference is the SoundBlaster software that comes with the Gaming 5. I haven't used it yet but, I suspect this is a gimick.

One area where these two boards differ is in the CPU power delivery layout. The Gigabyte Gaming 5 implements digital 8 true phases as opposed to analog/hybrid 4 true phases on the UD3H. That is the option that I feel sets the two boards apart and I think it's a better option for long term reliability and stability when overclocking.

The Asus Z97-A uses digital 4 phases which will be fine for mild overclocks but it uses a dated audio chipset. I've read reports around the 'net that some people can tell the difference between that and the ALC1150. YMMV.

The MSI Gaming 5 and ASROCK boards use analog/4 true phases.

Other than that all of the boards have similar features. If you want the best CPU power delivery then the Gigabyte is your choice. If on-board audio is important then any of them except the Z-97 would be fine.

 

[JASONMARK]

i will vote msi z97 gaming 5,
i love msi dragon logo.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would skip any board with the "Killer NIC". As I understand it, it's not supported in Linux, which means that it may not be supported in future versions of Windows, either, because it's basically a proprietary driver stack.

Get a board with an Intel (best), or Realtek (acceptable) NIC.

 

[gammaray]

I would skip any board with the "Killer NIC". As I understand it, it's not supported in Linux, which means that it may not be supported in future versions of Windows, either, because it's basically a proprietary driver stack.

Get a board with an Intel (best), or Realtek (acceptable) NIC.

that would be silly of MSI to not release new drivers for future version of windows.
Killer NIC works pretty well with windows 7-8

 

[The Gaige]

This tho: https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-Z97XGWB

 

[Showtime]

Also looking for a new mobo for my i7 cuz my Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H failed after a few months and the RMA was denied. So far I'm leaning to the ASUS, but one of the other Asrock mobo's may interest me too due the price/performance ratio.

 

[RedJamaX]

I really like the ASUS boards... especially the AI Suite software. Their implementation of Auto-Overclocking works really good. I have the PZ68 micro-ATX board with an i5 2500K... The Asus AI Suite runs the proc at 1.6GHz in idle, 3.3 standard, and AI overclocks it to 4.3GHz, up from the standard 3.7 turbo speed from Intel. Configured in about 20 seconds by clicking one button. No playing with voltages , FSB clocks, or multipliers... it just does it for you... And when you are building a "game" rig, the graphics card is many times more important than the level of overclocking on your processor.