Motherboard that's compatible with i7 4790k.

[Aytac K]

Hi, this is my first build. I don't have a secondary CPU with 1150 socket so I won't be able to update BIOS to be compatible with the i7 4790k.

Would the Asus Z97-AR Motherboard be compatible without flashing the BIOS?

Thanks.

 

[Karsten75]

even if it is not, it should run well enough so that you can perform a BIOS update with it installed.

You may in fact not ecen need a processor (CPU) to do a BIOS update. On this page, read up on BIOS Flashback:
http://www.asus.com/microsite/2014/MB/New_4th_gen_Intel_processor_compatibility/

 

[Kishore Kamal]

Yes AytaC K, all z97 and H 97 series mobos are compatible with i7 4790K out of the box. If you are overclocker or gamer use mobo with atleast 8 power phases. I am using z97 sabertooth mark 2 with i7 4790K.

 

[Alex Kelly]

Yep! Any Z97 board will work perfectly with an i7 4790K without any modifications.
You don't really need 8 phases though, my motherboard has 6 and I can OC just fine.

 

[GorseAlmighty]

Yep! Any Z97 board will work perfectly with an i7 4790K without any modifications.
You don't really need 8 phases though, my motherboard has 6 and I can OC just fine.

This is not entirely accurate. I can speak from experience on one example. I just purchased an ASUS Z97-AR and an Intel i7 4790K processor. The BIOS on the motherboard was version 0902, however the 4790K was not supported until 1008. I had to flash mine and updated to the current version 1304.

That said the system would boot up, but I experienced many issues (USB port power, constant browser crashes, exception privileged instruction errors).

 

[legend001523]

A msi z97 g45 would do

 

[DubbleClick]

8 vrm phases is preferable for overclocking, but not required. My board has 4 and I'm easily stable on 4.8ghz. Possibly 4.9ghz.