Motherboard choice "problem"

[chromic]

Hello.

I currently have an MSI Z97 Gaming 5 Motherboard, and i would want to move to an mAtx build, and could trade my Mobo + small amount of $ for an VI Gene (Z87).

I know that there wont be any difference with my 4670k (or 4690k/4790k with bios update), but about broadwell, since only Z97 will support it.

Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Darkbreeze]

No, it won't be supported on Z87 boards according to current sources.

 

[chromic]

But if the performance upgrade is the same as ivy --> haswell (~5%) there isnt no need to upgrade.

Damnit, dont know what to do. 😀

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you have a something like the 4690k or 4790k, I'd say there's not a lot of reason to upgrade when Broadwell rolls out. If anything, I'd wait for Skylake and upgrade then. Maybe not even then if it's still doing what you want.

 

[chromic]

I got a 4670K (pretty OK one, 4.5ghz @1.28v)

edit ; Should i trade?

 

[Darkbreeze]

I'd stay with that, and the larger board. If you go to a smaller board, heat is likely to become an issue and bye bye to your stable overclock.

 

[chromic]

Currently cooled by phantecs phcte-14, 70c @ 1200rpm prime95 smallfft
75c @ 300rpm

Custom loop on the way.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That has nothing to do with the heat that is generated on the motherboard when overclocked. Specifically, in the VRMs and bridges. However, in this case, both those boards have an 8+2 power phase design and good heatsinks, so you're probably ok to go either way you choose. Both boards will overclock just fine.

 

[chromic]

Ive read that Z97 overclocks better than the z87?
Is it true?

Because apart of that, MSI Z97 Gaming 5 & Maximus Vi gene Z87 are not that different from eachother.

Gaming 5 V.S Gene VI

max "official" ddr3 support : 3300 vs 3000
PCI-E 3 slots max 8/4/4 V.S 8/8(matx, duh)
M.2 slot yes V.S "external" +xtra pci-e 2.0 x1
Sata ports : 6x VS 6x (+2)
power phase 8+2 (50A choke) vs 8+2 (60 Achoke)
Fans :2x cpu & 3 system (both)

Biggest difference is the chipset (VI Gene is mostly better on some parts).

But i think Gaming 5 looks superior compared to Gene.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I don't know that it overclocks better, but being a newer design you can expect there to be some features not present on most Z87 boards like bigger or improved heatsinks, better power phase design (Some), better GPU slot support, better and wider RAM module support, etc. Not on all boards and not in every case, but I'd go with a Z97 over a Z87 almost always. Overclocking stability is almost always due to the VRM design. Bigger heatsinks dissipate heat better. Bigger power phase designs can tolerate bigger, or any, overclocks. You want something with 8+2 power phase or higher in most cases.