Motherboard for 4690k ?

[T3chmaN]

Hi!

I'm buying parts for my new PC, I will get the 4690k, but I got stuck at motherboards. First I wanted the MSI Krait, because i found it cheap, but the reviews were not too good, after that I wanted the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI, but one user pointed me to the "Motherboard tier list" http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html and I decided to get something better, and started choosing form "Tier Two: High end.". And now I'm completely stuck, I picked a couple of motherboards that are affordable where I live, so here they are:

- MSI Z97 GAMING 5
- Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2
- Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5
- ASRock Z97M OC Formula
- Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97

I went through countless reviews, tests, forums, and found contradictory opinions.

So basically i have spent my day, and at the end I know less than I knew before reading all of this

I want it to be stable, and fast in stock, it does not have to OC very high - but if it does than great. I will use 2x R9 280x in it if this helps.

Can anyone please help me with this ?

Thank You in advance!

 

[sincreator]

Take out #4 as it is a micro atx board, and will not be good for a crossfire system and overclocking. The other 4 are great boards for crossfire/sli and overclocking, so you can't go wrong with either of them IMO. I personally like the MSI Gaming 5, but others will say different I'm sure...

 

[prettyflvcko]

Hi!

I'm buying parts for my new PC, I will get the 4690k, but I got stuck at motherboards. First I wanted the MSI Krait, because i found it cheap, but the reviews were not too good, after that I wanted the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI, but one user pointed me to the "Motherboard tier list" http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html and I decided to get something better, and started choosing form "Tier Two: High end.". And now I'm completely stuck, I picked a couple of motherboards that are affordable where I live, so here they are:

- MSI Z97 GAMING 5
- Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2
- Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5
- ASRock Z97M OC Formula
- Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97

I went through countless reviews, tests, forums, and found contradictory opinions.

So basically i have spent my day, and at the end I know less than I knew before reading all of this

I want it to be stable, and fast in stock, it does not have to OC very high - but if it does than great. I will use 2x R9 280x in it if this helps.

Can anyone please help me with this ?

Thank You in advance!

ASRock Z97M OC Formula is the way to go. These can handle every overclock you throw at it. I've been using ASRock for years now and I've always been satisfied with them. They also feature fastboot wich makes the computer boot in seconds. It may cost more, but wou will be highly satisfied with this board. I promise.

 

[prettyflvcko]

Take out #4 as it is a micro atx board, and will not be good for a crossfire system and overclocking. The other 4 are great boards for crossfire/sli and overclocking, so you can't go wrong with either of them IMO. I personally like the MSI Gaming 5, but others will say different I'm sure...

''Offering users the most rich functionality demanded by gamers, enthusiasts and overclockers. ASRock Z97M OC Formula wins the Recommended badge from Oclab.ru''

This board will perform as well or even better than other boards, micro ATX doaes not mean shitty motherboard.

 

[sincreator]

Hi!

I'm buying parts for my new PC, I will get the 4690k, but I got stuck at motherboards. First I wanted the MSI Krait, because i found it cheap, but the reviews were not too good, after that I wanted the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI, but one user pointed me to the "Motherboard tier list" http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2383187/motherboard-tier-list-z97-chipset.html and I decided to get something better, and started choosing form "Tier Two: High end.". And now I'm completely stuck, I picked a couple of motherboards that are affordable where I live, so here they are:

- MSI Z97 GAMING 5
- Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2
- Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5
- ASRock Z97M OC Formula
- Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97

I went through countless reviews, tests, forums, and found contradictory opinions.

So basically i have spent my day, and at the end I know less than I knew before reading all of this

I want it to be stable, and fast in stock, it does not have to OC very high - but if it does than great. I will use 2x R9 280x in it if this helps.

Can anyone please help me with this ?

Thank You in advance!

ASRock Z97M OC Formula is the way to go. These can handle every overclock you throw at it. I've been using ASRock for years now and I've always been satisfied with them. They also feature fastboot wich makes the computer boot in seconds. It may cost more, but wou will be highly satisfied with this board. I promise.

That's a micro atx board. Not the best for xfire and overclocking...

 

[nucolos]

The msi z97 gaming 5 is probably the most recommended mobo for enthusiast builders "in a budget". I have it and its great.

 

[sincreator]

Take out #4 as it is a micro atx board, and will not be good for a crossfire system and overclocking. The other 4 are great boards for crossfire/sli and overclocking, so you can't go wrong with either of them IMO. I personally like the MSI Gaming 5, but others will say different I'm sure...

''Offering users the most rich functionality demanded by gamers, enthusiasts and overclockers. ASRock Z97M OC Formula wins the Recommended badge from Oclab.ru''

This board will perform as well or even better than other boards, micro ATX doaes not mean shitty motherboard.

I didn't say it was a bad board. For 24/7 use while overclocking AND running xfire 280x the other boards are going to last longer because they are built with higher power requirements and operating temperatures in mind. Matx is usually for low powered, energy efficient HTPC systems. Not high end gaming and overclocking systems Then there is the fact that jamming 2 x r9 280x on a matx board could be disastrous for heat.... Yes the board may be fine for a review, but for how long under these circumstances?

 

[UnderAttack]

well, msi krait is nice, if you do care about the color more
otherwise, msi gaming 5 will be the one I recommend!

 

[T3chmaN]

Thank you for all the help I still haven't decided, but I have narrowed my list to three motherboards

- MSI Z97 GAMING 5
- Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2
- Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5

I left out the ASRock Z97M OC Formula, because after thinking about it I like some space between my 280x's, and a usable pci-e port would be nice, and Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97 because its almost the same as Z97X Gaming 5, but the G5 has a bit better power phases.

Additional questions: which of those have the least quality problems ? I know this is not a precise question, You can always get a lemon, even if You choose the best brand - I ask this because I was leaning towards the MSI Gaming 5, but on one review I saw this: pclab.pl/zdjecia/artykuly/opson/Plyty_Z97/MSI_Z97_Gaming5/8Q2A9651.jpg looks like the motherboard is bent in random places :/ (on other reviews, pictures of the same area were fine, but knowing my luck...)

Again thank You for taking Your time to help me !

EDIT: I found another board that fits my price range Asus Z97-PRO GAMER