Choosing An Asus Z97 Board

bobafett892

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Jun 12, 2014
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So, I'm completely stuck between three Asus boards: the z97 Pro, z97 Pro Wifi A/C, and the Maximus VII Hero. They're all around the same price point, so it's just a matter of features. I'm not too hung up on Wifi for the board, as I don't think I'll need it. I would go for the Maximus VII Hero, but after looking at reviews, I've seen a lot of issues with BIOS updates and the LAN ports failing. Also, is there any real difference between ALC1150 audio and Supreme FX? Any help would be great.

Here's my build so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/G9Hn8d
 
Solution


I do have a theory that negative reviews can be overrepresented to some degree, because those who do get a lemon could be more motivated to complain than people whose new toy works well would be to rate it. That's just my feeling and I can't say how much truth it holds. Obviously, every model (of pretty much anything) is going to have some bad units come off the line.

A board with a lot of strongly negative reviews still could have a higher risk than one in the same class and price range with better ones. Either way, that's why warranty support is an important consideration for any large-ish...
The SupremeFX audio is probably pretty good, though the stock ALC 1150 is the best Realtek onboard audio codec to date. On paper the 1150 should be a significant improvement over previous codecs like ALC 892, though since it's onboard the motherboard it can still be subject to interference unlike a true sound card. I haven't heard either (I'm not sure I'd notice a difference anyway, there's a degree of subjectivity to how different people perceive sound methinks). Some say a sound card is a huge difference when others report not noticing much difference.

 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
The FX sound on the Hero uses the 1150 Codec as the basis for the sound, then it's enhanced with refinements from Realtek, shielded and higher end other components in the sound area Caps, etc, so it is a little better than the base 1150 for sound, I'm not an audiophile but I like the sound much better and have had some clients that originally wanted a sound card in their rigs that after trying the FX have decided to stick with it and use the sound card money budgeted elsewhere....I've got a Z97 Hero and it's better than my Z87 Hero, haven't built yet with the Pro wifi, did a Pro though and it's a very good mobo also, doesn't quite OC as well and the BIOS is a bit more limited
 


I do have a theory that negative reviews can be overrepresented to some degree, because those who do get a lemon could be more motivated to complain than people whose new toy works well would be to rate it. That's just my feeling and I can't say how much truth it holds. Obviously, every model (of pretty much anything) is going to have some bad units come off the line.

A board with a lot of strongly negative reviews still could have a higher risk than one in the same class and price range with better ones. Either way, that's why warranty support is an important consideration for any large-ish purchase. ASUS gives 3-5 years on MOBO.
 
Solution

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum

______________________

+1

Very true, additionally when looking at these reviews (negative), at say the Egg, also of note is that while many people that write them list their (self proclaimed) tech level as 'high', you often find glaring, standout statements, that can immediately drop that 'tech level' to low. A favorite often seen on mobos and DRAM reviews is that they have say 1600, 1866 or better DRAM and it didn't go to spec when installed, if they have any technical expertise they should know that when installed the DRAM goes to the mobos default which is generally 1066, 1333 and in some 1600....this is often seen in the 'professional' product reviews on websites, magazines and other publications also ;)