Best z97 Motherboard for gaming/OC?

[Tormidal]

Hey guys,

Im getting ready to throw a new PC together for gaming and overclocking. Looking for the best Z97 board, preferably MSI, but I could live with ASUS(did not have a great time with my 990FX Sabertooth, but maybe their ROGs are better?).

The PC will be primarily used for: Gaming and Overclocking

Going with:
i7-4790K
16GB G.Skill Trident X(2400MHz)
Gigabyte GTX 970
EVGA 750w PSU(Subject to change)


I would like to stick with the MSI brand, as I've had a wonderful experience with their hardware and customer support, but I would be willing to try ASUS again if its better recommended.

 

[spooky2th]

Here's a couple of decent boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128707

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128708

 

[Tormidal]

Here's a couple of decent boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128707

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128708

Whats the difference between the two boards, summed up? Most of my components are either black or red, so I was hoping to match that theme.

 

[PIEapple]

I would go msi z97 gaming 5,I have this board with I5-4670K,nice quality and overclocking performance,more important is the black-red theme I love.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770&cm_re=GAMING_5-_-13-130-770-_-Product

But if you have more budget,I would go msi z97 gaming7,msi z97 gaming 7 with i7-4790k is my main LGA 1150 PC now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768&cm_re=Z97-Gaming_7-_-13-130-768-_-Product

 

[Tormidal]

I would go msi z97 gaming 5,I have this board with I5-4670K,nice quality and overclocking performance,more important is the black-red theme I love.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770&cm_re=GAMING_5-_-13-130-770-_-Product

But if you have more budget,I would go msi z97 gaming7,msi z97 gaming 7 with i7-4790k is my main LGA 1150 PC now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768&cm_re=Z97-Gaming_7-_-13-130-768-_-Product

For me, budget isn't an issue. I'm liking the looks and featureset of the Gaming 7 versus some of the other ones that have been posted, but how does the Gaming 9 stack up? I haven't heard a lot of great things.

 

[PIEapple]

I would go msi z97 gaming 5,I have this board with I5-4670K,nice quality and overclocking performance,more important is the black-red theme I love.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770&cm_re=GAMING_5-_-13-130-770-_-Product

But if you have more budget,I would go msi z97 gaming7,msi z97 gaming 7 with i7-4790k is my main LGA 1150 PC now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768&cm_re=Z97-Gaming_7-_-13-130-768-_-Product

For me, budget isn't an issue. I'm liking the looks and featureset of the Gaming 7 versus some of the other ones that have been posted, but how does the Gaming 9 stack up? I haven't heard a lot of great things.

Well... If you don't have budget issue..Gaming 9 ac or ack have more feature and best performance you should go,this review would be answer your confusion.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_z97_gaming_9_ac_motherboard_review,21.html

 

[spooky2th]

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128701

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SOC Force
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128704&cm_re=GA-Z97X-SOC-_-13-128-704-_-Product

Here's a comparison of the four boards and I would most probably pick the SOC Force.

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=4959,4950,4969,4949

 

[Tormidal]

I would go msi z97 gaming 5,I have this board with I5-4670K,nice quality and overclocking performance,more important is the black-red theme I love.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770&cm_re=GAMING_5-_-13-130-770-_-Product

But if you have more budget,I would go msi z97 gaming7,msi z97 gaming 7 with i7-4790k is my main LGA 1150 PC now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768&cm_re=Z97-Gaming_7-_-13-130-768-_-Product

For me, budget isn't an issue. I'm liking the looks and featureset of the Gaming 7 versus some of the other ones that have been posted, but how does the Gaming 9 stack up? I haven't heard a lot of great things.

Well... If you don't have budget issue..Gaming 9 ac or ack have more feature and best performance you should go,this review would be answer your confusion.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_z97_gaming_9_ac_motherboard_review,21.html

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128701

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SOC Force
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128704&cm_re=GA-Z97X-SOC-_-13-128-704-_-Product

Here's a comparison of the four boards and I would most probably pick the SOC Force.

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=4959,4950,4969,4949

Out of all these boards, which is the best one rated for Overclocking?

 

[spooky2th]

The SOC Force for OC'ing.

They are all pretty good for OC'ing.

 

[PIEapple]

I would go msi z97 gaming 5,I have this board with I5-4670K,nice quality and overclocking performance,more important is the black-red theme I love.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130770&cm_re=GAMING_5-_-13-130-770-_-Product

But if you have more budget,I would go msi z97 gaming7,msi z97 gaming 7 with i7-4790k is my main LGA 1150 PC now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768&cm_re=Z97-Gaming_7-_-13-130-768-_-Product

For me, budget isn't an issue. I'm liking the looks and featureset of the Gaming 7 versus some of the other ones that have been posted, but how does the Gaming 9 stack up? I haven't heard a lot of great things.

Well... If you don't have budget issue..Gaming 9 ac or ack have more feature and best performance you should go,this review would be answer your confusion.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_z97_gaming_9_ac_motherboard_review,21.html

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128701

GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SOC Force
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128704&cm_re=GA-Z97X-SOC-_-13-128-704-_-Product

Here's a comparison of the four boards and I would most probably pick the SOC Force.

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=4959,4950,4969,4949

Out of all these boards, which is the best one rated for Overclocking?

I would go MSI z97 gaming 9 ac,msi have the best overclock board I think.
I have X99S GAMING 9 AC,best overclocking performance,and this board is high-end board too,so nice.