Best B85 Motherboard for my needs?

[alyse]

I am searching for a motherboard to go with an Intel i5-4590, 250GB SSD, 2x4GB RAM, GTX 970 setup. I have researched the 1150-socket motherboards that go with this CPU and have decided that for my needs (adequate USB ports, PCI slots), the B85 chipset has all of what I need, for a cheaper price than the more recent chipsets.
So now I'm wondering, what B85 board is best for my needs? Assuming they are all obtainable for about the same price.
Or can you come up with a better for my needs, different chipset board for about the same price?

• 
  ■ My needs: 1+ USB 3.0 header, 3+(5?) fan headers(connectors?), 1+ PCI-e slots, DDR3-1886+ RAM compatible.
  ■ Not necessary: SLI/Crossfire.
  ■ Nice to haves: More headers, XMP compatible, more PCI slots, 2 sets of dual channel RAM capability.
  ■ And I don't know how this affects anything: FSB frequency?, workstation/gaming purpose.

 

[rhysiam]

I don't have time to look in detail right now, but here's the pcpartpicker list for you: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#c=88&sort=a8&page=1

Just be a bit careful with B85 and that particular CPU. B85 is actually a great budget option if you don't care about dual cards or overclocking. The issue is that you've picked a CPU that was released in the Haswell refresh, which came about because the 5xxx series (broadwell) was delayed. They were launched AFTER the B85 chipset, so you do not have guaranteed compatibility.

I would either drop to an i5-4570 which will drop work for sure. Or if you have your heart set on a 4590, once you've picked your motherboard, check out the manufacturer (like gigabye) website and check their CPU compatibility list to confirm your CPU is listed. Almost all B85 motherboards should support that processor with an updated BIOS... but you can't update the BIOS without a working CPU, so you can get stuck.

 

[Darkbreeze]

All B85 and H97 motherboards support ONLY memory speeds up to 1600mhz. If you want to use faster RAM you'll need an 8 or 9 series board.

There is only one H97 board that I'm aware of that supports XMP memory profiles, and that's the MSI H97 Gaming 3, but it still only supports 1600mhz memory modules.

B85 boards are extremely basic and only the higher priced models are likely to have 3+ case fan headers. I'd seriously consider a lower end Z97 board or a medium-ish H97.

The ASRock H97 Anniversary, while still only supporting 1600mhz RAM, does have 3 system fan headers and two cpu fan headers, 4 rear USB 3.0 ports, 2 rear USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB front panel USB 2.0 internal headers, 1 USB 3.0 front panel header and basically conforms to everything you've listed except the RAM speed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $71.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-30 02:23 EDT-0400



This Z97 board has everything you want plus it supports faster RAM.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $84.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-30 02:24 EDT-0400



Plus, both those boards will support your Haswell Refresh CPU out of the box.