Is the ASUS Z87-A motherboard good for overclocking and SLI?

[ViddyD]

I'm wanting to buy an ASUS Z87-A motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131981) for my new system with the intention of overclocking (i5-4670K) and using a 2-way GTX 760 SLI configuration.

I know it has enough PCI-E 3.0 slots with x8/x8 abilities, but I'm also kinda new at rig building and understand that there are often little factors that newbies may not think of, like if there are some boards that can technically SLI but are slower and less effecient or something due to X, Y or Z reasons. I'm also wary because ASUS's main site says it's quad-gpu SLI capable...even though it only has two 3.0 ports (x8/x8) and one 2.0 (x16). I'm guessing they mean in cases of dual-gpu graphics cards like the GTX 690s? Still, even if that were the case I feel they're kinda misleading/vague and ergo I don't want to take their word for it when they say "SLI ready." But I don't want to go beyond 2-way SLI, I just noticed.

Thanks!

 

[Azrael47]

Yep that is a good board to overclock and sli multiple GPU's. Yes they mean dual graphics card not four individual graphics card. It is the same with the Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z motherboard.

According to HARDOCP's review on the motherboard "the board is fine for over clocking as it did pretty good based on what I’ve read and seen about other test machines".

In the final conclusion the say that "The ASUS Z87-A motherboard showed to be an incredibly stable piece of overclocking equipment and carried with it an "upgraded experience" when coming from working with the latest Z77 chipset equipped motherboards".

 

[TheBigTroll]

its good. however id rather recommend the gigabyte z87x-d3h. much higher quality vrm solution and generally more feature packed

 

[ViddyD]

Thanks so much to both of you! The VRM guide you gave is extremely useful! I knew there was more to motherboards than Newegg was telling me. And regarding the guide, I noticed there were four separate areas that were rated: the PWM, MOSFET, inductor, and capacitor. If I'm comparing boards and weighing the ratings, what would you say is the most important area to have a high rating in, highest to lowest? Thanks again!

 

[TheBigTroll]

the mosfets control the power going to the CPU. the higher the quality or rating, the more power it can potentially supply. the gigabyte uses the IR3553 mosfet package which can supply up to 40A a piece. it would be on the same level as the ROG boards

the inductors are what filters the power going to the CPU. the higher the quality, the cleaner the power. on a mainstream asus board, their inductors arent nearly as good as the ones on the gigabyte, however, their ROG and TUF boards have the better black wing chokes

capacitators are things that store electricity for when times you need the power. the longer the life span the better. the gigabyte board uses the 10k versions while the mainstream asus boards use the 5k

the pwm is what controls all this. generally you dont need to worry about it

 

[ViddyD]

Awesome, thanks again!

 

[KasperRynke123]

I've got ASUS z87-A (SLI)
- My question is: would it effect my performance of my GTX 760 if I don't use the SLI support?

 

[ViddyD]

I've got ASUS z87-A (SLI)
- My question is: would it effect my performance of my GTX 760 if I don't use the SLI support?

Do you mean if you only use one video card? No, the performance would be exact. SLI is just meant to increase your video performance by nearly double by adding another card. Most people don't use SLI; it's an option, not a requirement.

Also, if you have a question, you want to start your own thread. Don't add your own question to someone else's, especially in a thread that's already been solved.