Best Overclocking Z97 Motherboard? (Intel i7-4790K)

brok138

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Nov 5, 2013
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Hello!

I'm building my first PC, and am looking for a motherboard to overclock my Devil's Canyon with. I'll also be rockin' a Kraken X61, so I should be able to keep decent temps. I've been looking at a few options:
Asus Maximus VII Hero
Asus Z97-PRO
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT(Looking very good here)
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H

I would like a fair amount of USB 3.0, and the reason there are no MSI mobos on here is because they have a low auto-overclock, and I'd like to manually overclock. I'd like to keep a black or black/red color scheme, as I've bought a red/back NZXT H440. Either way, thanks in advance!

-Ian
 
Solution
Well I've had my Z87 Hero for a long time now, (in sig) , when I got the Z97 Hero, I pulled my 4770K, DDRAM , et al from the Z87 and put them in the Z97, at the same voltage instead of 4.6 (on the Z87) I can run this at 4.8, the Z97 Hero runs cooler, I've been able to run the full 32GB of 2666 DRAM at 2800 (could only run 16 GB at 2800 on the Z87), and all runs cooler. Will know on the Z97 Pro after this weekend, but the Z87 version wasn't quite as good as the Hero was. Won't touch MSI due to their poor QC

Donnie_Brassco

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Jun 7, 2014
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HI brok138,

see am the same am building new computer is well and i don't know what mob should i go for..

some computer shops tells me get msi 7 some say get asus pro z97 , some say dont get asus hero its not that good.
am very confused my self.

can some1 help me and brok138 ?

am thinking between those 3 listed below

Asus z97 pro
Asus z97 vii hero
msi gaming 7

 

ekagori

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Feb 9, 2013
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Both the Asus VII Hero and Gigabyte Gaming 5 have 8 phase power delivery systems, so overclocking wise they will both be the same. Overclocking comes down more to "chip lottery", as some cpu's will go overclock higher than others regardless of how good your board is. As for which board?, I'd go for either of those depending on which one matches your color scheme better and which one has the features you REALLY want and need and the price you are most comfortable with.
 
I would suggest either the:

1) Asus Maximus Hero VII, or the

2) Gigabyte GA-Z97X Gaming GT

Comments:
The HERO has at least one great feature most don't which is the ability to create VIRTUAL surround sound correctly in stereo headphones (recombines 5.1/7.1 through a hardware chip).

The issues with the HERO that I'm aware of were either addressed with a BIOS update or within the typical range of problems any board tends to have (statistically any model will have some defects).

The Gigabyte board seems really nice but it's new enough that I don't have much customer feedback. It should have about the same quality as similar previous Z87 boards though.
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Well I've had my Z87 Hero for a long time now, (in sig) , when I got the Z97 Hero, I pulled my 4770K, DDRAM , et al from the Z87 and put them in the Z97, at the same voltage instead of 4.6 (on the Z87) I can run this at 4.8, the Z97 Hero runs cooler, I've been able to run the full 32GB of 2666 DRAM at 2800 (could only run 16 GB at 2800 on the Z87), and all runs cooler. Will know on the Z97 Pro after this weekend, but the Z87 version wasn't quite as good as the Hero was. Won't touch MSI due to their poor QC
 
Solution
WARNING:

The HASWELL refresh CPU's require a BIOS update on some motherboards. It's not an issue with the Asus Hero Maximus VII because it can be flashed without a CPU.

The Gigabyte Gaming GT does support the Haswell refresh as of BIOS F5 however there's no guarantee you'll get a motherboard with the new BIOS version as the update was only a MONTH ago (2014-06-03). June 3rd, 2014. That gives a few weeks to clear out old stock but I don't know what the odds are that you'll have no issues.

I don't think the Gigabyte can be flashed without a CPU and also don't know if you can find out what version (BIOS) you're getting prior to buying.
 

brok138

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Nov 5, 2013
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Thanks for all the feedback guys. After a bit of consideration I've taken into account the MSI Gaming 7 board. It matches my color scheme, has a ton of USB ports, and still keeps M.2. For me it's down the the Asus Hero VII, MSI Gaming 7, and the Gigabyte Gaming GT. Any more help?
 

orndorf

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Apr 21, 2014
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rite now on newegg.com you can get the msi z97 mpower max for $234 which is $4 less then what the gigabyte z97x gaming gt is going for at this time on newegg.com

 

brok138

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Nov 5, 2013
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Yes, I know the MPOWER is great for OCing, but I just can't get through to that color scheme. It wouldn't match my case and other components at all, and I don't want to risk something by painting it.
 

orndorf

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I am guessing you have a red and black color scheme . when your components are installed on the motherboard you will barley see any yellow on the msi mpower max . I just ordered the msi z97 gaming 7 and i7 4790k in a combo deal from newegg.com for $487 and it does not match my cases color scheme
 
I'm still recommending the Asus Hero Maximus VII.

As I said, I'm not 100% certain the Gigabyte board would have the proper BIOS to support the i5-4690K yet, nor could I find when the MSI Gaming 7 update for that CPU was done (not listed at the support site).

Asus in general has great quality motherboards, though MSI has really improved a lot recently. Gigabyte and Asus are roughly the same but you always need to read customer feedback for the EXACT MODEL you are buying.

*To be clear, the HERO board can have the BIOS flashed without a CPU unlike the other boards. So even if you got a board without the updated BIOS (which is unlikely now) you could just update the BIOS to get it working.
 

NeoWing

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Aug 6, 2014
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Hi Tradesman1 would you be able to help me out with a build i'm working with? if so and you don't mine messaging me on skype bomberkilledyou
 

pikunsia

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Jun 6, 2012
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All of these MoBos are fine! My decision was the Asus z97 Pro because it comes with 12 phases power. Some people say this mobo is a bit unstable but all of the motherboards are unstable if you don't use the right parameters and the right components. My i7-4790k is running at 4.85GHz stable (according to Prime 95, etc.) by using 2x8GB Vengeance Pro 1866MHz CL9, a Hydro105, an Obsidian 450D, an EVGA Super Nova G2 850w (70.8A), 2x Samsung 830 series 256GB each in RAID 0 and 2x Zotac GTX 4GB SLI. (Full load CPU Temp: 80C ) (ave.). BTW, if you think run this CPU at 4.90-5.00 GHz you need build a custom water cooling system.
 

pchaplo

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Dec 7, 2014
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Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H. Although I do not OC, I noticed that reviewers commented that the Gigabyte board handled overclocking superior. It has a lot of black for color and then that brushed gold. Hmmm you are going black and red -- but gold looks very good with black and gold. If you look at <$200 1150 socket board reviews one thing that you commonly hear is that the GA-Z97X-UD5H is OC friendly. I just finished my build and am very happy with my GA-Z97X-UD5H board. No association with GB by the way -- its just a great value with lots of potential that could save you some money. Black, red, and gold -- classic color combo ihmo!