Motherboard tier list: Z97 chipset

[zeyuanfu]

AFAIK, all Z97 mITX boards are already in this list.

 

[Lordgeorge16]

AFAIK, all Z97 mITX boards are already in this list.

I see one or two at a glance. I think it might help if the different form factors were separated in each tier so it's a bit easier to read and find which one someone might be looking for.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

More Mini-ITX motherboards have been added, and the list is now separated by form factor in each tier.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Nice change! The list looks better overall

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Thanks, always good to improve and evolve

 

[zeyuanfu]

I think that boards from the same manufacturers should be grouped together, though, since it would make it easier to find a specific board.

 

[Lordgeorge16]

Looks good to me now, although I agree with Zeyuanfu's suggestion. Can't wait to see more boards get added later on. More love for Mini-ITX!

 

[nVidea]

I'm saving up money to buy Intel i3 4160, motherboard and RAM. I already have R9 270x and Seasonic 620W.

I know that ASUS is reliable and stable since I already have 3-year-old asus motherboard currently. I also know that MSI have bad reputation since they have high RMA, but I think they progressed or improved their motherboards.

Here are my preferences:
1. Looks cool (i'll show my rig to my friends and cousins)
2. Stable and reliable
3. No need to overclock CPUs since the difference on performance in gaming is little (few increase of FPS)
4. Considering CrossfireX after 1 year

A) Asus Z97-A is cheap, but it's doesn't look good.
B) MSI Z97 Gaming 5 and H97 both looks the same (I'm considering crossfireX after 1 year).
C) Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2 looks cool and tough (both of which I need).
D) Asus Z97 A is cheap, but i dont like it's looks

However, I read this article in Maximum PC magazine (I think it's battle of Z97s motherboards) Gigabyte Z97, MSI Z97 Gaming 7) Both Gigabyte and MSI defeats the Asus Z97 Sabertooth in performance and benchmarks.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

nVidea, You should consider that the i3 is not OCable. So I'd simply go with the cheapest decent looking SLI capable Z97 board available (since you'd CFX in some time), all the 4 major brands are pretty good quality and durability wise, right now. Based on your preferences, you do consider aesthetics an important feature. Therefore, I'll also put some usually decently-priced boards with good looks (IMO) on the table:

ASROCK Z97X Killer

ASROCK Z97 EXTREME3

Z97 PRO GAMER

Don't worry much about performance, there won't be any significant real world difference. Just go for the most appealing and yet cheap SLI capable board from the 4 brands you're considering.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

I think that boards from the same manufacturers should be grouped together, though, since it would make it easier to find a specific board.

Done!

 

[zeyuanfu]

Excellent! I simply cannot think of any more ways to make this list (aesthetically) better.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Excellent! I simply cannot think of any more ways to make this list (aesthetically) better.

Thanks, feel free to add any more possible improvements

 

[DK_VASHER]

Hey

Atm im trying to pick a MB for my gaming system.
I plan to do OC but nothing extreme.
I can get
Msi Z97 gaming 5
Asrock Z97 extreme 4
Asus Z97 A
Azuz Z97 pro gamer

For roughly the same preice.
Which one should i pick?

 

[MeteorsRaining]

All the 4 are great boards, you can't go wrong with any of them. I'd go for the Z97 Pro Gamer, nothing much better than MSI Gaming 5, but it does have some nice ROG tweaks (like SupremeFX sound) along with good OCing ability.

 

[zeyuanfu]

The Pro Gamer would be my choice as well. It's a great board with great features from a great company.

 

[DK_VASHER]

Atm the cheapest is Z97 A then Msi gaming 5.
Pro gamer and asrock are about the same price. Can also get gigabyte 5.

 

[whatsntomake]

Just wanted to say thanks for helping me choose a new board for my build which was the MAXIMUS VII IMPACT for my mini itx.
This guide is really useful.

I'm wondering where do you guys get all this information on parts, component quality and etc?

 

[MeteorsRaining]

DK_VASHER, if you're looking for best value/money, then the cheapest of the 4 will get the job done nicely. Z97 A is a great board and if you don't need all those tweaks that ROG offers, then it will do just fine.

whatsntomake, glad you liked it!

Regarding to info about parts and quality, besides being active on the forums (which helps a lot in determining how a board is doing in the market), I read up many, many reviews and user feedbacks on the net to come up with the 'quality' aspect of boards. The technical information is available on the product pages.

Then there are dedicated aspects like VRM quality and information regarding that, which is available on the net as well (mentioned in detailed reviews as well). Here is more info regarding some specific useful links:

AMD MoBos VRM info database:

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd

Intel VRM info database:

http://sinhardware.com/images/vrmlist.png

Draft files and more info regarding the tier list (Google docs):

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9hz2FDneBfdTDA5QmNZZUNSZXM&usp=sharing

Many members have contributed via the collaboration page as well:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2369313/motherboard-tier-list-collaboration-interested.html

All of the above info is available on the main tier list page:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html

 

[convertedconsolegamer_92]

The Gigabyte GA-G1.SNIPER Z97 is an amazing board and it is dirt cheap right now at Newegg. Great overclocker. Dual bios. Gold plated rear panel ports. Display port, man just a crazy deal. A lot of ppl slept on this board and this tier list, although somewhat subjective, does help lead one to make sound decisions. IMO opinion it is not meant to be the end all, but just a piece of the puzzle that helps you make the most difficult decision when building a PC, choosing a doggone motherboard!

I also think the ASRock Extreme4 and 6 are great bang for the buck choices as well. I want to thank MeteorsRaining for this list because it did help me a ton.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

convertedconsolegamer_92, it's pleasing to hear the list helped, it's ever-evolving with user inputs

 

[Mac266]

Funny how this list thread became the question and answer about motherboard buying

 

[cloudstrife465]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/446626/Z97S_SLI_Krai... MSI

http://www.microcenter.com/product/442565/Z97-AR_LGA_11... Asus

http://www.microcenter.com/product/433408/GA-Z97X-Gamin... gigabyte

http://www.microcenter.com/product/433686/Z97-G45_PC_Ga... msi

http://www.microcenter.com/product/433410/GA-Z97X-SLI_L... Gigabyte

http://www.microcenter.com/product/446591/Fatal1ty_Z97_... asrock im theres the z97x version also of this board

i need to choose one please help me make the right decision for the i7 and the right graphics card to pair with it for the gpu i dont wanna spend no more then 300

 

[MeteorsRaining]

cloudstrife465, go with the cheapest SLI capable board, difference in performance isn't huge.

GTX 970 is a great deal for about $350, although out of your budget, but that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[cloudstrife465]

cheapest on that list is msi z97s kriat the black and white board with the i7 its 74.99

 

[MeteorsRaining]

There are a couple reviews going against that board performance wise, most notable this:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z97_sli_krait_motherboard_review/12