- Jul 27, 2014
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Hello, welcome to ASUS Z97 series Motherboards' MegaThread!
Introduction
This article links and puts all relevant info from various websites about all Asus Z97 boards, sans the Maximus series, which is being done on a different MegaThread. This MegaThread will attempt to put all resources for a given Z97 Asus board (minus Maximus series) under one hood.
Asus Z97 Motherboard MegaThread
Z97 is the latest chipset from Intel, supporting the current Haswell and upcoming Broadwell CPUs. Asus has its own threshold of boards, ranging from entry level budget friendly boards to extreme overclocking and gaming beasts to workstation level boards. This MegaThread covers and links all valuable resources regarding each of these boards, under one hood, minus the Maximus series boards.
Common links:
■Asus Z97 series boards comparison table: A rough compilation and comparison of all the features each board has to offer:
Click me
■Z97 boards official tech support thread:
Click me
■Asus Z97 boards Haswell Overclocking guide/ impression:
Click me
■VRM info of all Z97 boards:
Click me
NOTE: This thread is created to link useful info and resources about Asus Z97 boards under one hood. Technical points and relevant info are always welcome. But absolutely under NO circumstances will flame wars, fanboyism, biased opinions, irrelevant comments be tolerated. Mods will appropriately deal in such situations. Such posts will be deleted and the user, if defualting multiple times, may even be banned. These apply in addition to the general forum and posting rules. Users are advised not to populate the thread with 'Thanks, that was helpful' posts as even they may get deleted. Useful info and points will under no circumstances be sandwiched between not-so-important stuff.
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NOTE: Z97 A and Z97 AR; Z97 Pro and Z97 Pro Wifi AC; Z97 Deluxe and Z97 Deluxe NFC & WLC are respectively the same boards hardware wise. Z97 AR has different color scheme than Z97 A. Z97 Pro WiFi AC has WiFi in addition to Z97 Pro. Z97 Deluxe NFC & WLC has NFC and WLC in addition to Z97 Deluxe. Moreover Z97 Sabertooth Mark 2 is a Mark 1 without the armour. They’re same hardware wise.
Signature Series Boards:
Asus Z97-A
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review database: Click me
General Overclocking results:
Result 1
Result 2
FAQs:
Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software insights:
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The Z97-A's M.2 slot is limited to PCIe drives; it won't work with SATA-based M.2 SSDs. The slot also shares bandwidth with the SATA Express port.
The processor's 16 Gen3 PCIe lanes can be devoted solely to the first slot or split evenly between the first and second for CrossFire and SLI duos. Running double-wide graphics cards in those slots will obscure access to the PCI slots.
Z97-A serves up a third PCIe x16 slot tied to the chipset. This slot is limited to two Gen2 lanes, which is insufficient for multi-GPU setups but just fine for other expansion cards. The PCIe x1 slots are also connected to the chipset. They share bandwidth with the M.2 slot in the top left corner, and they can't be used alongside a mini SSD.
Z97-A has a button for MemOK!, a feature that cycles through different memory profiles for finicky DIMMs. The board also includes onboard switches for system power, XMP profiles, automatic overclocking, and intelligent power-saving measures.
Thoughts and opinions:
The board is a well-built and feature laden board, combined with superb OCing ability, this is a worthy choice for high end gamers on a budget.
Z97-AR
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database: Click me
General Overclocking results: Results
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software Insights:
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The DIMMS are color coded black and dark grey for differentiation (dual channel memory operation).
The M.2 slot uses the same lanes as the two PCIe x 1 slots.
The chipset rests below some decently sized passive cooling and just behind the SATA Express and four SATA ports. The Z97-AR supports all the normal RAID levels and SSD performance requirements like TRIM while SSDs are configured for RAID.
Additionally, you will find things like a MEMOK! Button an EZ XMP Switch, an EPU Switch, a TPU Switch, and Power-on Button.
MEMOK! Button – When installing RAM, there are circumstances and situations that may cause a system boot failure. Pressing this button begins automatic memory compatibility tuning for a successful boot.
TPU Switch – Allows the adjustment of CPU ratio and clock speeds
Power-on Button – this is by far my favorite feature of the new ASUS motherboards. This allows you to boot the system without having to wire a switch or short the pins with a flat head screw-driver.
EZ XMP Switch – This allows you to overclock the installed DIMMS.
EPU Switch – allows the automatic detection of current settings and intelligently moderates power consumption.
Thoughts and opinions
This is a well rounded board for a high end user, with good aesthetics and excellent placement of components. A great board for the price.
Z97-PRO
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database:
Link 1
Link 2
General Overclocking results:
Result 1
Result 2
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-z97pro]Click me
Software insights:
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The SATA ports are arranged such that the SATA Express port is nearest the 24-pin ATX, followed by four chipset SATA 6 Gbps ports and two SATA 6 Gbps from the ASMedia controller.
The PCIe slots are arranged in a typical fashion, with an x1 at the top followed by x16, x1, x1, x8, x1 and an x4. When a device is placed in the x8 slot, the x16 will reduce down to x8 to compensate.
VRMs and capacitors info: Click me
Bandwidth layout explained: Click me
Thoughts and opinions:
This is a great board for multi GPU fun and OCing alike, albeit at a premium price, but you get high quality components in return, a good deal indeed.
Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac)
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database:
Review 1
Review 2
Review 3
Review 4
General Overclocking results: Results
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software Insights:
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The heatsinks are designed to allow large coolers, however due to the close proximity of the DRAM slots, users with taller memory might have to rely on slightly smaller CPU coolers in order to fit a full set of memory.
At the top right of the motherboard is the MemOK button, used to recover memory settings from a failed overclock without losing the rest of the BIOS settings in the process. Below this is the EZ XMP switch, a new addition for Z97 that allows users to enable XMP at the touch of a button and without entering BIOS.
At the top right of the motherboard is the MemOK button, used to recover memory settings from a failed overclock without losing the rest of the BIOS settings in the process. Below this is the EZ XMP switch, a new addition for Z97 that allows users to enable XMP at the touch of a button and without entering BIOS.
The ASUS Z97-Pro features the Intel LGA1150 socket that is powered by a DIGI+ 12-phase power delivery system. Surrounding the CPU socket is a series of 12 chokes and a handful of high quality solid capacitors, these are all part of the DIGI+ 12-phase CPU power delivery.
Thoughts and opinions
This board has great connectivity options in addition to superb general performance, making it a top buy in the high end segment.
Asus Z97-Pro Gamer
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review database:
Review 1
Review 2
Review 3
General Overclocking results:
Results 1
Results 2
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software insights:
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The ASUS Z97-Pro Gamer comes with a digital 8+2 phase power design. The CPU gets eight phases and the memory can rely on two phases for stable current delivery.
ASUS equipped the Z97-Pro Gamer with four angled SATA ports. All of them are directly wired to the PCH. Additionally you find a SATA-Express port as well as an M.2 slot. There are five fan headers on the Z97-Pro Gamer
Board is in a Red-black ROG theme with black PCB and black heat-sinks with red graphics. The board features a M.2 Socket 3 for M-Key, type 2260/2280 devices. UEFI BIOS is stored in a Winbond 64MB 8-Pin DIP Package chip, installed in a DIP socket 8-Pin for easy user replacement.
Standby Power LED lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode or in soft-off mode and four QLEDs checks key components(CPU, DRAM, VGA Card and booting devices) in sequence during motherboard booting process. An error and diagnostic LED flashes, indicating some problem with the corresponding component.
Expansion Slots: 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (Single at x16, dual at x8/x8), 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (max at x4 mode, black), 2 x PCIe x1, 2 x PCI slots.
Thoughts and opinions:
The company’s only Gamer series non-ROG board for the Z97 chipset, this board delivers performance for the price asked, and more! A great choice for OverClockers, Gamers and power users.
Z97 Deluxe
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database: Click me
General Overclocking results:
Result 1
Result 2
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software insights: Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The board's bottom edge has a bunch of buttons for those of you that use a test bench or like to reach into the case, as well as a header for that Thunderbolt card and a POST LED indicator.
There are six 4-pin fan headers spaced across the Z97-DELUXE, all with fairly decent fan controls in the BIOS.
The dual-phase DIMM VRM does not get any heatsinks, but feature the same chokes as the CPU VRM.
The first x16 slot has full x16 bandwidth, second has x8 bandwidth and third has x4 bandwidth. Dual GPU config runs at x8/x8, three way at x8/x4/x4. There are four x1 connectors as well.
Thoughts and opinions:
A truly ‘high-end’ board with all major connectivity options, multi GPU ability and excellent software suite to compliment it, this board is great for any power user, with lots of customization options.
Z97-DELUXE(NFC & WLC)
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database: Click me
General Overclocking results:
Result 1
Result 2
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software Insights:
Click me
Click me
Firmware insights:
Click me
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
Dropping all legacy connectivity here, The ASUS Z97-DELUXE has three PCIe x16 slots and four PCIe x1 slots. There are four DIMM slots with support for a total of 32 GB at speeds of up to 3300 MHz with an OC.
The 16-phase CPU VRM features the same sort of color with yet another odd mix of shapes comprising that large chunk of metal that sits over the VRM MOSFETs. The dual-phase DIMM VRM does not get any heatsinks at all, but feature the same chokes as the CPU VRM.
Near the top-right corner are physical MemOK! and EZ XMP controls; MemOK! makes sure your installed DIMMs can boot and EZ XMP enables XMP functions of installed DIMMs without having to enter the BIOS.
Once you press the power switch, the system will power up, with a series of LEDs in different places lighting up in succession to indicate which phase of the boot process the board is in, so you will have a good idea of the area with a problem should that boot fail; CPU and DRAM LEDs light up first, of course. After those two, VGA and BOOT device LEDs will light up, although you might miss those if you have Window8/8.1 installed and FAST BOOT enabled, as it all happens so quickly.
Thoughts and opinions
A truly premium which provides all premium features and more for the price tag. Great for OCing and with eye catching aesthetics, this is a great bang for buck.
Z97-K/CSM
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database: Click me
General Overclocking results: Results
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software Insights: AI Suite is similar to that in other Asus Z97 boards.
Firmware insights: Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The board has PCIe slots in the following from the top: x1, x16, x1, x16. The last x16 slot runs at x4 maximum bandwidth.
The ASUS Z97-K sports a 4 phase power design which is amongst the lowest, although ASUS uses top quality components on their motherboards and this board does have the ability to OC moderately.
It offers ASUS HomeCloud, Turbo LAN and the ASUS AI Suite.
Thoughts and opinions:
Thought not ideal for OCing, this board packs all standard Z97 features for a reasonable price, and the inclusion of some premium features like M.2 slot makes it worth its price.
Z97 C
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review Database: No thorough reviews found. But gauging from 6 Digi Power phases with M.2 slot, it looks like a good multipurpose board with fair OCing ability.
General Overclocking results: No concrete results found, user discussions indicate it’s a good board for OCing, thanks to 6 Power phases on VRMs and usage of high quality chokes.
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software Insights: AI Suite is similar to that in other Asus Z97 boards.
Firmware insights: The Z97-C’s BIOS is similar to Z97-K and Z97-A. Some sample images:
Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The M.2 slot shares bandwidth with SATAe slot.
The 2nd x16 slot runs at x2 speeds by default.
Thoughts and opinions
This is a great general purpose boards with a host of features and good OCing ability. Highly recommended for single GPU builds.
Z97M-PLUS
Official board page: Click me
Specifications: Click me
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review database: No appropriate reviews found.
General Overclocking results: N/A. Thermals and Power phases indicate it’ll be a good (but not awesome) board for OCing.
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software: AI Suite is quite similar in appearance to other boards.
Firmware insights: Refer to Google images. Sample image: Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The M.2 slot shares bandwidth with SATA III ports.
The board features 4 phase VRM design, which is not the best for OCing, but fine enough for some moderate OCing fun.
Thoughts and opinions:
The board features great quality for a premium price.
Asus Z97I-Plus
Official board page:Click]http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97IPLUS/]Click me[/url]
Specifications:Click]http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97IPLUS/specifications/]Click me[/url]
CPU support list: Click me
BIOS and Driver Updates: Click me
Review database: Click me
General Overclocking results:
Result 1
Result 2
FAQs: Click me
Current prices in,
USA: Click me
UK: Click me
Software insights: Click me
Firmware insights: Click me
Some useful info/ facts:
The ASUS Z97I-Plus features a fully digital 6+2 phase power design. The CPU gets six phases and the memory gets a stable current supply from two phases.
On the Z97I-Plus the PCH is being cooled by a passive cooling block. A closer look at the area where the VRM is, shows there is one additional heatsink - one is on the front-side and the other is located on the back-side.
ASUS equips this board with a WiFi adaptor. In this case it's a modern dual-band adaptor which supports WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.
Thoughts and opinions:
The design as well as the build quality is on an excellent level, it OCes like any other high end board, an amazing board of the right size, well, atleast for some!
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