Motherboard tier list: Z97 chipset

[MeteorsRaining]

What about ASUS Z97 GRYPHON Armor Edition?
Is it on the list? Can't see it in any tier. If not, why not?


Plus, how do you compare it with Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Sockel 1150 M-ATX? Also, is this one in tier TWO?

Gryphon was somehow missed from adding in the list, has been added in Tier 1 Class B.

MX Gaming 5 is in Tier 2. Gryphon has better chokes, more RAM phases and a phase doubler compared to MX, thereby accounting for it's higher rank. Gryphon is the TUF equivalent of the ROG Gene. But either of them are great quality wise, it's just that Gryphon is better than MX.

 

[mac3pc]

Excellent! Thank you for the prompt answer. Gryphon it is! I was leaning towards it anyway but just wondered why it wasn't there

Amazing list and a great help for new buyers. Thanks a lot

 

[Darkbreeze]

It is a helpful list, isn't it. Very glad to see you put the work in after all despite the naysayers who said it was pointless.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Thanks for the encouraging words, they mean a lot to me! I'm glad I could put it up

 

[pwiebe]

^Pretty much. Z series boards have lots of competition due to more features, the two major ones being SLI ability and OCing ability. Since ALL H series boards lack both of them, there's nothing much to tier Pro3 and Anniversary lower than Tier 2.

Reading the tier description would help. Tier 1 H series boards are CFX capable, while tier 2 aren't. Since build quality is reasonably good for the price and specs of the board, all non-CFX capable H series boards are Tier 2. Z series have a lot more to look out for, VRMs and thermals, OCing ability, SLI ability, etc.

That makes sense. Thanks for the reply!

 

[MeteorsRaining]

No worries!

 

[Julian_c]

wow the Z97X-Gaming 5 is ranked higher then the Z97X-Gaming7, whys that?

 

[Darkbreeze]

wow the Z97X-Gaming 5 is ranked higher then the Z97X-Gaming7, whys that?

It's not. They are both on the same Tier level.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

wow the Z97X-Gaming 5 is ranked higher then the Z97X-Gaming7, whys that?

As said, it's not. Inside the individual tier, order does not stand for ranking.

 

[Budget Gamer]

wow the Z97X-Gaming 5 is ranked higher then the Z97X-Gaming7, whys that?

As said, it's not. Inside the individual tier, order does not stand for ranking.

Hi Meteor! First gaming PC build. I currently have the Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5, brand new in the box, but I am now deciding if I should get the Asus Maximus VII Z97 Hero instead.

I already have a dedicated sound card so the audio doesn't matter. I am fine with 6 SATA ports (Gaming 5). But the better OC of the Hero is what intrigues me. The Hero vs Z97X Gaming 5, how many more frames do you think the Hero would be able to get from overclocking?
Is there any benchmark tests that compare a VII Hero OC potential vs Giga Gaming 5 or others?
Does the Hero have much better/faster networking/online/internet connection?
Any other reasons one is better?

I am willing to go through the hassle of selling the Gaming 5 to get the VII Hero if it is much better at OC (sort of future proofing for the CPU to compete against future CPU power.) The cost difference really isn't a factor if the Hero is much better. I am betting I should go with the Hero if I want to future proof my rig more with the extra OC potential.

Reliability (long lasting and with little to no issues) is most important to me. Need a reliable rig for daily work purposes. I like the Hero's better OC, even though not sure how much better, but the reviews on Newegg on the 2nd page alone, there is SIX 1egg reviews, which makes me hesitant on the Asus, but I know it is usually said to be reliable.

My current rig not yet assembled:
i7 4790K
Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 5
Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 (only 1 for now)
8GB G.Skill Trident X 2400MHz
630W Enermax REVOLUTION X't 80+ Gold PSU (probably will upgrade in future if needed)
Corsair H60 cooler (will upgrade when I overclock more)
Fractal Define R4 case with 5 case fans
250GB 840 EVO SSD, 1TB WD HDD

 

[MeteorsRaining]

There's absolutely no need to spend more on something not worth the money spent. As you may have seen, M7 Hero and GB Gaming 5 are both in the same tier. Nowadays, OCing is much more dependent on the CPU lottery. Up from Tier 2 (which are good for OCing as well), the Tier 1 boards are all superb for OCing.

I'm certain M7 Hero and G5 (Gaming 5) will have the same frame rates with same hardware. OCing the 4790k will not yield any significant boost as the stock speeds are itself so amazing. Furthermore, if you get a good enough CPU, surely the G5 will be more than enough for OCing, VRMs and thermals wise. You'll most likely reach your CPU temp boundary before the MoBo stops you.

Does the Hero have much better/faster networking/online/internet connection?

No.

Any other reasons one is better?

Since you have the G5 already, no.

GB boards are one of the most solid boards on the market, so reliability is not an issue.

Not saying M7 Hero is not worth it but since you already got such a good MoBo, I'd strongly suggest you keep it as M7 will have no real world advantages.

 

[Budget Gamer]

Just wanted to give a Big Thanks to Meteor for ALL the help! (believe me I have ran into many of your helpful past posts). I really appreciate it.
I will keep the G5, since as you say the CPU temps would limit me before the MoBo would. I am sure it will be great (although I hear it is a bit short and doesn't fully rest on all the ATX supports, but hopefully that won't cause any issues).

Thanks again Meteor and Happy Holidays!

 

[MeteorsRaining]

No worries, glad to help!

 

[jhg100]

Thanks so much for this. Was going to get the Z97-A but started leaning towards the pro with wifi built in. Now I'm sure. Really not much of a step in price either.

 

[zeyuanfu]

As with the X99 chipset, MSI released a Z97 Gaming 9 ACK: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130809&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

@jhg100, the Z97 Pro isn't well worth it IMO unless you can find it for ~150$. For Wi-Fi, a PCIe adapter can be bought for 10$.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

As with the X99 chipset, MSI released a Z97 Gaming 9 ACK: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130809&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

@jhg100, the Z97 Pro isn't well worth it IMO unless you can find it for ~150$. For Wi-Fi, a PCIe adapter can be bought for 10$.

Gaming 9 ACK has been added to the list, thanks.

And Z97 PRO isn't amazingly better than Z97-A, but it does use better chokes and has WiFi. So if jhg100 is getting it for upto around $160-170, it'd be well worth it.

 

[jhg100]

Thanks again guys. The A is £108 which I think is the best price in the UK. And the pro with wifi is £141 ($186 and $220 respectively).

Is $40 difference worth it or too much (ie. stick with the standard A)
Cheers

 

[zeyuanfu]

The 40 pounds can be better spent. Get the Z97-A.

 

[zeyuanfu]

If you want something in between, though, I'd get this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Asus Z97 PRO GAMER ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£112.76 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £112.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-20 19:45 GMT+0000

 

[jhg100]

$168 not $186 but yeah so not worth it. Thanks all!

 

[zeyuanfu]

No problem

 

[MeteorsRaining]

That's quite a difference jhg100, as said, not worth it. Pro Gamer ironically is cheaper.

 

[Agera One]

MSI Z97 Guard Pro? I don't know how good it is, just heard of this model. Where do you think it will be (in which tier)?

 

[zeyuanfu]

The Guard-Pro isn't too bad, but better ones can be found.

 

[MeteorsRaining]

Z97 Guard Pro, a very decent tier 3 MoBo with M.2. Reviews indicate it OCes decently for the price. Nothing really bad about it, nothing too amazing either. It's in lines with Asus Z97-K. I'd buy it if it falls in the same price bracket or less than that of Z97-K.