Round 2 asus -a vs msi gaming 5 (now z170)

[Tommynew]

Im having some troubles getting a z97 mobo.
Where i live i cant get some of the mobos that i want, because they are running out of stock.
And those that still remain are beceming more and more expensive.

That why im considering the skylake option...
So...

Now i would like to know wich one is better for skylake build.
z170 asus a 150
z170 msi gaming 5 180
Asus a is 30€ cheaper, i dont know if this means something or not.

As alway "gaming" items with that awfull black/red color theme.
There is some important difference between them?ç
I like the asus becaus the way it looks

And what about another option about 150€?
Some mainstream motherboard?

Anything else that i should keep in mind?


Thank you.

 

[martinch]

Both should be fine.

The MSI has a better audio codec (ALC 1150 vs 892) and a Killer Ethernet NIC (vs Intel). Personally, I have PCs with both audio chips (ASUS Z87-A and Z97-Pro), and they both sound fine with decent headphones (Sennheiser IE7's). The Killer NIC is designed for gaming, although opinion's divided as to which is best (the Intel uses fewer CPU cycles, and IIRC the Killer is more "controllable" in terms of traffic shaping/prioritisation).

 

[Tommynew]

Both should be fine.

The MSI has a better audio codec (ALC 1150 vs 892) and a Killer Ethernet NIC (vs Intel). Personally, I have PCs with both audio chips (ASUS Z87-A and Z97-Pro), and they both sound fine with decent headphones (Sennheiser IE7's). The Killer NIC is designed for gaming, although opinion's divided as to which is best (the Intel uses fewer CPU cycles, and IIRC the Killer is more "controllable" in terms of traffic shaping/prioritisation).

So they are almost the same rigth? xd

 

[Tommynew]

Someone please?

 

[martinch]

So they are almost the same rigth? xd

They look pretty similar. The ASUS board has a signle old PCI slot, which reduces the number of PCI-E expansion boards you can fit (unlikely to be an issue), the MSI board has an extra M.2 slot (again, not likely an issue), and an audio enhancer (can't comment). On the ASUS, the 2 USB 3.1 ports on the back are provided by an ASMedia controller, rather than the Intel chipset - the MSI doesn't say what provides its' USB 3.1 ports.

Either would be a good choice.