MSI Z97 Gaming 7 vs. Gigabyte Z97X Gaming 7 vs Asus Maximus VII Hero

[OpenClose]

Note: I posted this on the wrong forum, so re-posting it at the moment to hear more opinions.

Hello, I'm sick of the problems my old Asus mobo is running on since a power surge, and I've come to the conclusion I should change my mobo and CPU, since I can't relay my work as a freelancer on a computer that some days decide to just stop working by shutting down itself (3.3v rail gets at 3.6v) or just don't starting (I already sent my PSU for a check, no problems at all, also, the mobo seems to detect a problem on the cpu, since the led stays on).

Said so, I'm looking for a new motherboard from the LGA 1150 to go along with an i7-4790k. It hurts me to spend money right now knowing Skylake is coming, but shit happens, I guess.
Reading on this forums, I came to the conclusion that those three mobos would be pretty good to my rig. People says Asus mobos to be top notch, and, sincerely, I'm quite skeptic after the problem I have and had in the past with my Asus mobo, but I may just have bad luck, so I'm open to buy a Maximus VII Hero if it really worths it. However, I'm more into the MSI or the Gigabyte.

I like the MSI software, but I'm scare that BIOS may be simplified in comparison to Gigabyte BIOS. On the other hand, Asus BIOS seems to be pretty good, similar to the one I have.
What would you guys recommend me?

I also thought on Asrock Extreme 6 at the beggining, but as far as I understood, it's a minor company which doesn't have the same quality as Asus, Gigabyte or MSI. The BIOS seems ugly but functional (however, gigabyte BIOS, with that lava effects is ugly as fuck, also), and it has lot of stuff for that price, but I'm scare they may not be as good as the others.

Is this remotely true?

Here's my (actual) setup:

Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Intel Core i7-2600
MSI GTX 970 Gaming
8gb Corsair Vengeance RAM + 8gb G.Skill RAM
Samsung EVO 550 + secondary HDD's
Be Quiet Dark Rock 3
Seasonic X-850W 80 Plus Gold Modular
Fractal Design Define R5

If there are any doubts, I'm open to buy other mobos inside the LGA 1150, this are just the ones I fixed my attention in after some research. My price point is 200€ (A lil more is ok, like Asus VII Hero, at 220€).

Thank you beforehand.

 

[popatim]

This is what has already been suggested:

All of these are good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130768
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157500
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157501
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132118

Asrock has improved a lot in quality and is one of the most recommended manufactures. For sound cards unless you are doing "hard core" sound editing any mobo will do. This is still probably your best bet: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157500

 

[OpenClose]

I've read some negatives reviews on the MSI Gaming 7 using the Killer E2200 Ethernet, can anyone explain me if this is a huge downward?

 

[Mugglensu1984]

The ASUS is hands down the best. ASUS quality is what has kept me buying ASUS motherboards for the last 10 years.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Maximus VII Hero

 

[Mugglensu1984]

I don't know... I have been reading up on some pretty annoying audio issues on the Maximus VII Hero

 

[Mugglensu1984]

Maximus VII Hero

When it comes down to the must-have features (such as power phases and etc),

what's the difference between a ROG and a regular Z97 motherboard from ASUS?

 

[OpenClose]

Hello guys. Just wanted to drop here to thank you all.
I finally gave Asus a second chance. This mobo seems really solid, even thought I don't really like the "gaming" style it has. The software comes really handy (3MB/s download rate!) and my only complain would be about the BIOS.
It's a great UEFI/BIOS, but it doesn't seem to be as fast as the old Asus one, too much scrolling to do to go back in menus and such. Anyway, is really complete and couldn't be happier.

It's kind of difficult to choose a winner, so I'm going with Mugglensu1984, since he replied first.

Thank you all!

 

[Mugglensu1984]

Hello guys. Just wanted to drop here to thank you all.
I finally gave Asus a second chance. This mobo seems really solid, even thought I don't really like the "gaming" style it has. The software comes really handy (3MB/s download rate!) and my only complain would be about the BIOS.
It's a great UEFI/BIOS, but it doesn't seem to be as fast as the old Asus one, too much scrolling to do to go back in menus and such. Anyway, is really complete and couldn't be happier.

It's kind of difficult to choose a winner, so I'm going with Mugglensu1984, since he replied first.

Thank you all!

Glad to know I helped

Btw, I myself was thinking of the Hero, but then decided to go with another ASUS board.