H97 vs Z97

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

Using a 4590 in my build and was originally going to get the H97 anniversary edition. apparently ASRock isnt the best company for motherboards so I kept looking and found a Z97 MSI board for cheaper. So not sure if its a cheap board itself thats why it costs less, or I'm just getting a great deal on a MB. I may upgrade to an i7 in the future, and both boards seem good for that so im not sure what to go with.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97anniversary

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130779&cm_re=z97-_-13-130-779-_-Product

Dark Lord of Tech · Dec 14, 2015

ASROCK H board is better the MSI Mate is a low end Z board.

migronesien · Dec 14, 2015

Only get the Z edition, if you want a K edition upgrade in the future (overclockable). Otherwise just get the same board (the MSI one) but with an "H97" instead of the "Z97".

H = No overclocking / for non-K CPUs
Z = overclocking / K CPU required

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

migronesien :

Dark Lord of Tech · Dec 14, 2015

Can't hurt , but the H board is better quality.

migronesien · Dec 14, 2015

Nah, Z is still totally fine and will work with non-K CPUs.

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

The ASRock seems to be the only ATX H97 in its price range. Since its good quality, I think I might go with it.

MSI and ASUS are way too much

Tradesman1 · Dec 14, 2015

I'll second SR-71, the Rock's H97 is a better mobo

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

Hows this compared to the ASRock?

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GA-Z97-HD3-2-Way-CrossFire-Motherboard/dp/B00K2RQDOI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449613219&sr=8-2&keywords=lga+1150+z97

Tradesman1 · Dec 14, 2015

The GB's a good board and it's a Z97 which is a plus

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

Better than both the MSI and The Rock?

Tradesman1 · Dec 14, 2015

If you want an upgrade path to a K model CPU then the Z97 from GB, if no plans for that would stick with the H97, MSI I won't touch due to their poor QC

Novakane_ · Dec 14, 2015

For the same price as the ASRock, It seems like a really good MB. Just want to be sure its not at the same quality of the MSI though.

I may in the future upgrade to a K version of the i7, and with this i can keep the same mobo for the new processor. I would probably have to buy another video card too in the future along with the i7nso it doesnt get bottlenecked by a K.

Tradesman1 · Dec 14, 2015

True, that's a good thing with the upper tier chipsets for each socket, you can upgrade CPU, i.e. I grabbed a 6600K for my Z170 but down the road may well go up to a 6700K (depending on shop workload), also the upper tier handls faster DRAM which does make a difference depending on what and/or how you do things, then SLI or XFire can play in - another positive is that they tend to get more attention for their BIOSs as new components arrive.

Novakane_ · Dec 15, 2015

It would be fine for a 950 GTX right? It just cant SLI but can crossfire AMD?

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

Sorry, but i just wanted to throw in my experience. I have the ASRock H97M Pro4 and it is awesome. Its great quality and i havent had any issues at all with it. SO i would suggest going for the ASRock mobo as it is very god and it wont let you down.

Novakane_ · Dec 15, 2015

Did more research, seems like its really a mini ATX even though its listed as an ATX.

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

But if you do plan to overclock in the future, then definitely go for the Gigabyte board, it is also really good and wont let you down. And yes, the 950 will work well on either board.,

Novakane_ · Dec 15, 2015

That'll be in the future. I dont think I should worry about that now. The PRO4 will be pushing my budget more than I already have.

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

Yes, but the Anniversary is the same as the Pro4, just different PCIE lanes. SO i was trying to say that both boards are great quality.

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

SO that means the anniversary will be great aswell.

Novakane_ · Dec 15, 2015

Thats the only difference between the two?

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

Yep, both boards have the same features, etc, just the anniversary edition has one PCIE slot instead of two.

Novakane_ · Dec 15, 2015

What goods a second PCIE slot for? It cant really crossfire or SLI

celtic_warrior99 · Dec 15, 2015

Yeah, pretty much useless unless you want to crossfire. So if you wont crossfire, the anniversary is perfect.

H97 vs Z97

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