What Z97 Motherboard for my i5 4690k?

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tsteeves

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Hello guys I am going to be ordering a computer in the next few days and want to know which motherboard I should get.

I won't be using dual motherboards (sli/crossfire or whatever its called) and know very little about overclocking.

Which board do you recommend to me that has simple overclocking, good performance and value? I don't know much about all the extra features so I probably wont use them anyways and I am trying to keep it as cheap as possible.

P.S. I live in Canada and I am not factoring mail in rebates in the price.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#sort=a7&c=99
 
Solution
MundoDragon
First of all, just to clear up confusion, SLI/Crossfire does not refer to dual motherboards, but to two or more graphics cards working in tandem with each other.

Second, the only Z97 board I currently have any experience with is the ASUS Z97-A. It has a pretty decent cost per feature ratio that I think you'd be hard to beat. If you wanted to save a few bucks, I guess you could go with the ASUS Z97-P or the MSI Z97-G45 Gaming, but can't really attest to their quality. Good luck with your choice and Merry Christmas. :)

EDIT: I just noticed your overclocking experience and would definitely recommend the ASUS z97-A. The one click overclocking (dubbed 5 way optimization) of this board got my 4690K up to 4.7 Ghz stably with the simple click...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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If you have no plans to do extreme overclocking, meaning higher than 4.5Ghz, I'd recommend any of these three as the best presentation of performance, features, overclocking capability and price, all wrapped into one with none of them being the absolute best nor the most expensive, but also not being cheaply built and having good quality and use of high grade components with enough features to make them very worthwhile.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4%2Casus-motherboard-z97a%2Cgigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xgaming3/
 
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MundoDragon

MundoDragon

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First of all, just to clear up confusion, SLI/Crossfire does not refer to dual motherboards, but to two or more graphics cards working in tandem with each other.

Second, the only Z97 board I currently have any experience with is the ASUS Z97-A. It has a pretty decent cost per feature ratio that I think you'd be hard to beat. If you wanted to save a few bucks, I guess you could go with the ASUS Z97-P or the MSI Z97-G45 Gaming, but can't really attest to their quality. Good luck with your choice and Merry Christmas. :)

EDIT: I just noticed your overclocking experience and would definitely recommend the ASUS z97-A. The one click overclocking (dubbed 5 way optimization) of this board got my 4690K up to 4.7 Ghz stably with the simple click of a button.
 
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tsteeves

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"First of all, just to clear up confusion, SLI/Crossfire does not refer to dual motherboards, but to two or more graphics cards working in tandem with each other."

Sorry I knew it was dual graphics cards just typed it wrong my bad haha. Although I still don't plan on using that feature.

Merry Christmas to you too!
 
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MundoDragon

MundoDragon

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Ahh, I see. That happens to us all. I wish you luck with your purchase. Take care.
 
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tsteeves

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Thanks so much for your help!

Any suggestions for the rest of my build?

Cooler for overclocking? Heard lots about the Hyper 212 EVO

Mostly concerned about the power supply as my original intention was to get a 750 ti but I kept shopping around around and was kind of persuaded to get a better gpu and saw this huge sale on the 280x.

Also any case suggestions? Just something cheap not worried about looks, just the quality of the case.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3V6N99
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Z97-A is a great mobo, the PSu is good and fine with a 280X, might look at the HAF 912 for a good roomy solid case, will prob want a CPU cooler, might look at the CM Hyper 212 EVO (about $35) will handle the the CPU from stock on through about a 4.6 OC
 
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tsteeves

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Sep 10, 2014
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Thanks so much for your help!

Any suggestions for the rest of my build?

Cooler for overclocking? Heard lots about the Hyper 212 EVO

Mostly concerned about the power supply as my original intention was to get a 750 ti but I kept shopping around around and was kind of persuaded to get a better gpu and saw this huge sale on the 280x.

Also any case suggestions? Just something cheap not worried about looks, just the quality of the case.

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3V6N99

 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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The Hyper 212 EVO is fine for light to medium overclocking. Anything above 4Ghz and it will strain to keep it cool, which means it will be louder than you'd probably like. If you plan to OC in the 4-4.5Ghz range, I'd recommend the Noctua NH-U14S or something equivalent. For anything beyond that there are only a few really good choices that aren't closed loop AIO liquid coolers. The Noctua NH-D14, NH-D15, Cryorig R1 Ultimate, Phanteks PH-TC14PE and any of the Thermalright Silver Arrow models would be good choices.

If you want to go with liquid AIO cooling the Corsair H105, H110 and most of the Swiftech 240 and 280mm coolers are good.
 
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MundoDragon

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I don't have any experience with the Hyper 212 EVO, but I'm sure it is awesome for the price. It hangs with most liquid coolers in comparison. Another good one with high praise is the Noctua NH-D15, but I'm not sure it's entirely worth it at almost, if not more than, twice the price of the 212 EVO.

For the PSU, I would suggest just looking up the power requirements of the GPU you decide to get, then add another 50-100 watts (more if you plan to future SLI or Crossfire) then get a decent quality such as Antec, Silverstone, certain Corsairs (research, research) or, believe it or not, NZXT.

The case? Cases are mostly down to aesthetics, price and size requirements, so it's hard to recommend them. What works for one, may not so well for another. Just keep in mind that if you do decide to get the Hyper 212 EVO (or any modern air cooler for that matter), they are really bulky and you will need a decent width dimension on the case to fit it in. Just research the dimensions of the 212 EVO and the width of the case to be sure it will fit. Also pay particular attention to the placement of the DIMM slots on your motherboard and the height of your memory sticks, as they can sometimes conflict with the bulky air coolers.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Yep, the 212 EVO is great and as mentioned before, will do well through about 4.6, and keeps CPUs cooler while being quieter than most AIO water coolers, need a H100 or better to outcool it. The Nocua mentioned is slightly better but twice the price as MundoDragon mentioned.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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No, it doesn't. The Hyper 212 EVO screams it's head off at loads beyond 50% sustained with a 4-4.5Ghz overclock. Anybody who says otherwise has clearly not tested one. It's a good BUDGET and ENTRY LEVEL cooler, but it's not a workhorse and certainly not equivalent to any liquid cooler over 120mm.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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I'd debate that, I've used well over a hundred of them on client builds, the far majority with good OC's through 4.5-4.6 and other than a very few, no complaints, had about 5-6 with bad fans that did get on the loud side, and simply changed them out. I've heard far more complaints on noisy from AIO Water coolers than on the EVOs.
 
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MundoDragon

MundoDragon

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Ahh, thanks for clearing that up. I don't have any personal experience with it. Personally, I don't like modern air coolers. As I've stated before in other posts, when they get THAT big, it's time for a new solution (aka AIO's). I simply was going by reviews and overviews, so I'm sure you are right. Thank you and Merry Christmas! :)
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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I suppose fan profiles might have something to do with, but every single one I've used with a standard profile has been loud as a turbine testing facility at anything over 4Ghz when pushed. Depending of course on what the stock clock was to start with. Clearly a chip with a 4Ghz stock clock and an 88w TDP isn't going to require as much cooling as one with a 3.5Ghz stock clock and a 125w TDP when you crank them both up to 4.5Ghz.

I absolutely agree that the liquid coolers are loud as well though. I suppose anytime you try to force air through a radiator AND a fan grill, it's going to be louder than only trying to move it through the fan grill alone.
 
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