Asus Z97 vs. z87 ? Confused

rae888 · May 18, 2014

Building a new computer from scratch. Money is not big issue. Want latest, best I can get to last long time. I was waiting on an order which has been delay and delayed - the
Asus ATX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard Z87-DELUXE/QUAD
Now I'm reading about this Z97. So I'm thinking maybe I should change since my order won't be shipping until end of May and I can still cancel.
What should I get? I was also getting the Intel Core i7-4770 Quad-Core Desktop Processor 3.4 GHZ LGA 1150 8 MB Cache BX80646I74770
(Of course that can change too)
So confused....

FunkyFeatures · May 18, 2014

Z97 supports future broadwell, sata express and that is about it as i remember it.

hapkiman · May 18, 2014

Z97 has SATA Express, and M.2 capabilities, other than that, its is identical to the Z87 chipset. They are both socket LGA1150. However, if starting a new build I would definitely go with a Z97 board, because next years Broadwell parts will drop right into to a Z97 board, and not a Z87 (possibly with a BIOS flash a Z87 could work, but I wouldn't count on it).

And if youre getting a Z97 board, you should wait about a month for the i7 4790k (Devil's Canyon) processor. Haswell and even the Haswell refresh run a little hot, including your pick of the i7 4770. The i7 4790k is supposed to address this heat issue and have better TIM, and lower temps.

I'd go for a i7 4790k on a Z97 board. No brainer for a new build.

http://techreport.com/review/26443/this-is-intel-9-series-chipset

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intels-upcoming-devils-canyon-cpus-are-built-with-overclockers-in-mind/#!OGdG7

rae888 · May 19, 2014

hapkiman :

Z97 has SATA Express, and M.2 capabilities, other than that, its is identical to the Z87 chipset. They are both socket LGA1150. However, if starting a new build I would definitely go with a Z97 board, because next years Broadwell parts will drop right into to a Z97 board, and not a Z87 (possibly with a BIOS flash a Z87 could work, but I wouldn't count on it).

And if youre getting a Z97 board, you should wait about a month for the i7 4790k (Devil's Canyon) processor. Haswell and even the Haswell refresh run a little hot, including your pick of the i7 4770. The i7 4790k is supposed to address this heat issue and have better TIM, and lower temps.

I'd go for a i7 4790k on a Z97 board. No brainer for a new build.

http://techreport.com/review/26443/this-is-intel-9-series-chipset

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intels-upcoming-devils-canyon-cpus-are-built-with-overclockers-in-mind/#!OGdG7

Thanks Much!! I will wait for the new processor. Seems I have to keep waiting for one thing or another. Guess another month won't hurt.

BerganTead1 · May 19, 2014

I just bought the ASUS Maximus VII Hero http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2MASE4. Not only does the Z97 chipset support the next generation of CPU's but the board also supports M.2 which has 10GB bandwidth for SSD's and is smaller than mSATA.

This board is amazing and having the ability to upgrade to new generations of CPU's is a nice option.

Tradesman1 · May 19, 2014

The Z97 also is better for power/heat management and OCs better than the Z87 chipset, I picked up a Z97 Hero also and love it. Have my Z87 Hero running still (in sig), but will prob put a 4690K in the new Hero when they are released, have a spare 4770K in it now.

hapkiman · May 19, 2014

I'm betting that i5 4690k (and the i7 4790k) will hit 5Ghz with ease- unless Intel is full of it. You could never hit 5GHz on a reg. Haswell 4770k unless you used insane/dangerous voltage. 4.6 is really good on a 4770k. I'm surprised to see that. You must have found a lucky part.

rae888 · May 20, 2014

hapkiman :

What is difference between "i5 4690k (and the i7 4790k) " ?

FunkyFeatures · May 20, 2014

i5 - 4 cores, 4 threads.
i7 - 4 cores, 8 threads.

Threads are virtual cores, so windows will see the i7 as a 8 core and the i5 as a 4 core

rae888 · May 20, 2014

Thanks all. I guess Amazon & newegg will get these new processors as soon as they come out?

Tradesman1 · May 20, 2014

Yes, guessing 1st part of June or so

BerganTead1 · May 20, 2014

I'm debating whether it's worth the upgrade from a 4770K to DC.

rae888 · Jun 5, 2014

Tradesman1 :

[strike]Hi : Is the i7 4790k out yet?[/strike] I just saw it on Amazon. I'm confused as they have 2 different ones:
BX80646I74790S and BX80646I74790.
What is the difference?

BerganTead1 · Jun 5, 2014

4790S is a low power usage processor which is good for HTPC's or a computer that you want to save energy on. Not many situations that really warrant getting one. They are also clocked lower usually.

jdcranke07 · Dec 3, 2014

Hey guys and gals,
I know this is a slightly older thread, but needed to give an update. Unfortunately, it is not about the chipsets, but rather towards the CPUs.

The 4790K is a beast of a 4 core CPU for sure. However, if you haven't heard, the heating issues were not fixed with this processor. It can easily reach 80-90'C when overlocked and that is with an EK Supremacy full nickel WB on it. Granted that is at 4.7Ghz and any higher at 100% load it would reach the before said temps. I have been experiencing about 80'C under 100% load, but I never use that much processing and with my mobo it is a rock solid OC. Also this processor, from what I've seen/read and experienced myself, will not hit 5Ghz unless you are using LN2 cooling or live in a really cold place (highly doubt the latter). So, overall it is a great CPU and easily beat out my previous AMD FX-8350 (OC'd @ 4.6Ghz), but it runs hot under high loads. Normal use and gaming you will see it hit about 30-50'C with water loop. If you have questions about my setup, just hit me up or look at my profile.

Edit: P.S.- The 4790S is not worth your time. The 4790K at stock only uses about 84W and with it OC'd to 4.7Ghz it hits about 120ish watts under heavy load. The 4790K is also the only one of the 4790 series to be completely unlocked.

Rtoder209 · Jan 24, 2015

hapkiman :

I am a little confused with the whole 4th gen CPU and Z87 MOBO stuff.

I am wanting to get a new CPU (The one you mentioned, the 4790k) and I currently have the MSI G45 gaming motherboard and i heard a few people on Amazon mention that they had to do a "bios flash" (i dont know what this is or does) but I thought the "4" series of CPU's were 4th gen and so they should work with the Z87 motherboards, am i correct?

Is it like this :

Z77 = 3rd gen
Z87 = 4th gen
Z97 = 5th gen with 4th gen combatability also

Thanks!

FunkyFeatures · Jan 25, 2015

Rtoder209 :

hapkiman :

I am a little confused with the whole 4th gen CPU and Z87 MOBO stuff.

I am wanting to get a new CPU (The one you mentioned, the 4790k) and I currently have the MSI G45 gaming motherboard and i heard a few people on Amazon mention that they had to do a "bios flash" (i dont know what this is or does) but I thought the "4" series of CPU's were 4th gen and so they should work with the Z87 motherboards, am i correct?

Is it like this :

Z77 = 3rd gen
Z87 = 4th gen
Z97 = 5th gen with 4th gen combatability also

Thanks!

Z77 = LGA 1155(2nd and 3rd gen)
Z87 = 4th gen with BIOS support for Haswell Refresh(Possibly in the future also support for Broadwell, but don't count on that)
Z97 = Full support for Haswell, Haswell Refresh and a BIOS update will make it support Broadwell w/ ddr3

Rtoder209 · Jan 25, 2015

FunkyFeatures :

Rtoder209 :

Z77 = LGA 1155(2nd and 3rd gen)
Z87 = 4th gen with BIOS support for Haswell Refresh(Possibly in the future also support for Broadwell, but don't count on that)
Z97 = Full support for Haswell, Haswell Refresh and a BIOS update will make it support Broadwell w/ ddr3

Is 4th gen Haswell? And then Haswell Refresh is something different?

FunkyFeatures · Jan 25, 2015

4th gen = Haswell and then there is 4th gen refresh/haswell refresh.

Rtoder209 · Jan 25, 2015

FunkyFeatures :

What is the difference and what CPU's are which? E.g. is the 4770 a Haswell or Refresh? Is the 4970 the Haswell or refresh and what do both mean and can both work with Z87 and Z97 motherboards?

FunkyFeatures · Jan 25, 2015

4770 = haswell, bad TIM
4790 = haswell refresh, better TIM, Z87 bios needs to be updated or Z97 motherboard is needed.

Asus Z97 vs. z87 ? Confused

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