Do I Really Need a $350 Motherboard?

[hockster]

I'm a long time ASUS board user. I build strictly for gaming. Typically I've gone for the mid-range to higher end boards. It's now time to upgrade and I'm going with an i7-4790k and GTX 980. I'm wondering if I really need to spend $350 or so on a new board. I do some OC'ing on the CPU and GPU, but nothing too extreme. Everything is on air. I'm probably going to stay with ASUS unless their is a compelling argument to change to something else. Question is - Am I overspending on a motherboard like the Maximus VII formula? I probably won't go SLI but don't want to close that option either. If I'm overspending, could somebody please recommend a better option, preferably an ASUS board, perhaps a Gigabyte. Would a $200 or so board work just as well for what I'm doing? Thank you!!

 

[terry4536]

No, A $200 motherboard is a better choice. A Z97 Pro would be fine.

 

[terry4536]

This would be my choice.

ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $214

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132125

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Like you, I have been using Asus almost exclusively for over a decade.... but recent experiences in my own builds and those for others caused me to dip my toes on other waters with Z87 and in Z97 I been going another way. Below the $250 mark, I have switched to MSI. For example the MSI GD65 is a feature for feature match for the Asus Hero with equal or better components but costs $50 less than the Hero. I have had 3 builds plagued with the Asus Z87 / Z97 bug (google RoG Forum BIOS Clock Freeze). Yes, the hero is a very good board, Clock Freeze issue aside, but to be competitive with MSI GD65, it needs to cost $50 less.

I have a Formula and love it (water cooled) but it has the Clcok Freeze bug. My other concern is look at the number of negative reviews (1 or 2 eggs) on newegg for Asus Z87 / X79 .... versus Asus Z97 / X99 .... huge increase.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2458770/whatz-happenin-mobo-quality-late.html

I'm sure Asus is aware of the change and I'm hoping that next gen we see more improvements. My next build will use the new MSO Krait board and 2 of the new MSI Krait Edition white GPUs in a Phanteks Luxe case.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asus-motherboard-maximusviihero%2Casus-motherboard-z97a%2Cgigabyte-motherboard-gaz97xud3hbk%2Cmsi-motherboard-z97gaming5/

Here's 4 nice options.

 

[Alectfenrir]

This would be my choice.

ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $214

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132125

+1 for this!

 

[hockster]

Thanks for the suggestions and I have noticed that some ASUS boards haven't exactly been getting rave reviews. I've been seeing a lot of people on here talking about the MSI and Gigabyte boards and wonder if perhaps it's time to make a change myself. I also wonder if perhaps its time to change my memory which is 5 years old. Running 16GB of this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231400 Any recommendations for memory for that MSI GD65 or the Maximus VII hero board?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I own both ASUS HERO boards and have had no issues , the Z97 HERO is a first rate board , but I have had good luck with my 2 1150 Gigabtye boards also.

 

[Vici0us]

I've been on Asus boards for many years myself. I've had my Maximus VII Hero for 9 months and it's going strong, great overclocker, etc. I recommend it.

 

[terry4536]

I have an Asus Formula motherboard as well. It is a great motherboard if you are into high end boards, but it isn't a necessity (not a good choice for value - it is a bit pricey).