Need help selecting a motherboard

[Shadownover]

Hi, I am currently selecting parts for my first build, and have a motherboard picked (MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150) but I am having second thoughts. A few people have said this is a good motherboard but I have also read reviews saying that MSI makes unreliable motherboards. If someone could give me some guidance in this area that would be helpful.

This computer is going to a gaming computer.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.77 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($338.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 820 (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($199.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Wired Network Adapter: Intel EXPI9301CTBLK 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter ($27.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $1330.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-03 03:46 EDT-0400

Thanks for any help

 

[Jimbo832]

That motherboard should be fine, and if it is faulty you can also RMA it. But if you want to be better safe then sorry, this gigabyte board looks good. Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3

 

[TheTemest]

Jimbo832 is absolutely correct. I don't know what you're reading that says MSI boards are unreliable, but if you believe in RMA statistics, MSI is 2nd only to Gigabyte boards in returns to manufacturer (2nd fewest returns). If I'm choosing a board I'd gladly take an MSI behind Gigabyte.

 

[Shadownover]

Jimbo832 is absolutely correct. I don't know what you're reading that says MSI boards are unreliable, but if you believe in RMA statistics, MSI is 2nd only to Gigabyte boards in returns to manufacturer (2nd fewest returns). If I'm choosing a board I'd gladly take an MSI behind Gigabyte.

So they are reliable, but is it the right one for my computer, or is there a more appropriate one?

 

[TheTemest]

In looking at the board it can definitely handle the chip, graphics card, memory, has quite a few expansion slots and a USB 3.0 header (for the front panel USB 3.0 ports the your case has). In answer to your question, no...I don't think think another board is more appropriate as it has all the necessities.

I have a preference for Gigabyte boards and would probably go with the Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 and save $40.00 in the process.