GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SLI vs GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming 3

[DragonRi]

Hi All,

I would like your suggestions to help me decide between Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI and Gigabyte Gaming 3.

Currently I will be running an i5 4690K with one r9 390 or 390x (Most likely 390 but depends if I get a good deal )

I plan on decent overclocking but nothing extreme. In future I will definitely be running 2 of the same cards in crossfire.

Both of the boards seem nearly identical with x-sli not supporting 3 way crossfire which I don't plan on doing anyway.

Is build quality really that big of a difference between the two? Gaming 3, I expect will end up being around $20 more than x-sli

Which one would you guys suggest ?

Thanks in advance

 

[MystoPigz]

The Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI and Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3 motherboards are good quality motherboards good for decent overclocking. Their thermals are not that great for high to extreme overclocking though. Nonetheless, both motherboards are great for your needs. You would do well with either of them.

-MystoPigz

 

[RazerZ]

^ That would cover it.

Where are you buying from? If you're in the US newegg has the AsRock Z97 Extreme 4 on sale for $92 after rebate and is much better than either of those two boards.

 

[DragonRi]

^ That would cover it.

Where are you buying from? If you're in the US newegg has the AsRock Z97 Extreme 4 on sale for $92 after rebate and is much better than either of those two boards.

I am in US, I can find an x-sli for around 100-110 and gaming 3 ~120.

I don't know if AsRock is any good, I have never used there boards or know someone who does, so having a hard time trusting it. I don't mind paying like $10 for gigabyte over AsRock.

Do you think its build is comparable to gigabyte ?

 

[MystoPigz]

^ That would cover it.

Where are you buying from? If you're in the US newegg has the AsRock Z97 Extreme 4 on sale for $92 after rebate and is much better than either of those two boards.

I am in US, I can find an x-sli for around 100-110 and gaming 3 ~120.

I don't know if AsRock is any good, I have never used there boards or know someone who does, so having a hard time trusting it. I don't mind paying like $10 for gigabyte over AsRock.

ASRock is a reliable brand. Generally Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock are the most popular motherboard manufacturers out there. The ASRock Z97 Extreme 4 is better than the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI and the Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 3. It has better thermals to handle high overclocking and has many storage features like M.2 and SATA express capabilities.

-MystoPigz

 

[RazerZ]

The 12 phase power design speaks for itself. Can't really go wrong with any motherboard brand, AsRock is one of the more popular ones out there.