What is the best h97 motherboard for this gaming build?

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

I want a motherboard that will not break the bank and that will be able to use the 2400 MHz speed of my ram.

My build (only the main stuff):
-EVGA GTX 980 SC ACX 2.0
-Intel Core i5-4690
-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB DDR3 2400
-EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2
-ASRock Motherboard Micro ATX DDR3

I don't really care about looks or overclocking because I will be using the stock cpu cooler. I just want a motherboard that will be able to use the 2400Mhz speed of my ram.

FatalBurrito · Mar 26, 2015

lots of mobos can use that whats your budget?

Archaic59 · Mar 26, 2015

Here's a tier list of H97 boards. Pick from tier 1 to get the best boards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383217/motherboard-tier-list-h97-chipset.html

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 26, 2015

You won't be running 2400mhz.

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

FatalBurrito :

my whole build: $1000 - $1200

i would like to have a motherboard under $100

by the way... hows the motherboard that i have right now?

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

why? won't a h97 motherboard do that?

Dark Lord of Tech · Mar 26, 2015

1600mhz is where it will run.

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

why? what are you talking about?

Archaic59 · Mar 26, 2015

You can put 1866, 2133, or 2400 in a H97 but it will only run at 1600. That's H97 limit. Must use Z97 to support faster memory.

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

Archaic59 :

ok so what's the best bang for the buck Z97?

Archaic59 · Mar 26, 2015

Since you don't want to spend too much here's 3 to pick from:

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asrock-motherboard-z97extreme4%2Casus-motherboard-z97a%2Cmsi-motherboard-z97gaming5/

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

Archaic59 :

what about the: MSI Computer ATX DDR3 2600
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Motherboards-Z97S-SLI-KRAIT/dp/B00OJZTSR8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427425340&sr=8-2&keywords=Z97

Archaic59 · Mar 26, 2015

Yes that's a decent board.

shadomaster · Mar 26, 2015

Archaic59 :

What would the difference be between this board and the ASRock one you showed me before. I don't understand how motherboards can be so expensive. How are the expensive ones better than the MSI one I showed you before?

UPDATE: also, what's the difference between micro ATX and regular ATX? Will the regular one fit in my case? :NZXT S340: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGMIBUU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=19LNFKO1QJEMC&coliid=I2WKJN7PB50UGU

Archaic59 · Mar 27, 2015

Look at comparisons between Z97 boards to see what features they differ at. Each board has its own strengths and weaknesses. Finding the features you want in a board or a good balance of different features is the trick and takes time and research. I like the AsRock Z97 Extreme4 because it has 12 phase VR and more sata ports than some of the others.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-intel-amd-motherboard,3902.html

Matx boards are more compact. They have most of the features of full size ATX but may lose a few minor things. Regular ATX will easily fit your case.

shadomaster · Mar 27, 2015

Archaic59 :

what is phase VR? the reason i want to get the MSI Z97S SLI KRAIT EDITION is because it is a little cheaper and on amazon it has better reviews. Also because I like the black and white combo a little better lol. Could you check it out and tell me what you think?
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Motherboards-Z97S-SLI-KRAIT/dp/B00OJZTSR8/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1427425702&sr=1-2&keywords=Z97

mlga91 · Mar 27, 2015

You dont need 2400 MHz RAM for gaming, getting a special motherboard to support it will only make things more expensive with no performance gain in gaming.

shadomaster · Mar 27, 2015

mlga91 :

Okay so what motherboard and ram do you suggest I get? I do want a semi good looking machine and thought I might get something black and white.

Archaic59 · Mar 27, 2015

The MSI Z97S SLI KRAIT EDITION only has 6 power phases. The AsRock Z97 Extreme4 has 12 meaning it has much better voltage regulation. The power phases distribute power to the CPU. More phases is generally better. If you will not overclock the Krait edition should be ok.

What is the best h97 motherboard for this gaming build?

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