Which Motherboard is Best for an Intel i7-4790k?

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Alec Lockhart

Alec Lockhart

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Sep 24, 2014
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Hello everyone,

I am looking to upgrade to an Intel i7-4790k and was wondering which motherboard I should get. I have been looking at MSI and ASUS motherboards with a price of no more than $150. I have checked the MSI Z97S SLI Plus, the MSI Z97-G45 Gaming and the ASUS Z97-A motherboards and I don't know what would be best. If you guys have any pointers for what to get I would love to hear them as this is going to be my first build with an Intel CPU.

Thanks guys!
 
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sincreator
The asus z97-a or the Msi Z97 Gaming 5 are my top two recommendations. A lot of features and value for the money in both boards. They are also very good overclockers as well. Both get very very good reviews from all sites. Look both of them up and compare the features. Whatever seems best to you, go for it. Both are excellent choices IMO.
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The asus z97-a or the Msi Z97 Gaming 5 are my top two recommendations. A lot of features and value for the money in both boards. They are also very good overclockers as well. Both get very very good reviews from all sites. Look both of them up and compare the features. Whatever seems best to you, go for it. Both are excellent choices IMO.
 
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I personally have a 4790K and a Z97-G45 Gaming, and I do fully recommend that motherboard, but if you do have enough money I would go with the ASUS board. I would go with them only if you need the extra features though, like that M.2 SSD support and the sata express ports, but the main reason is that ASUS makes good products with lots of extra software features that are very intuitive. These extra features add speed, but they also add cost due to the expense of M.2 SSDs and the fact that SATA Express drives don't even exist yet all but guarantees that they will be very expensive upon release. If you are going to just use a regular SSD with a decently overclocked processor, the G45 Gaming should easily fit your needs for Sata 3 ports, USB 3.0 ports, and reliability. The Z97S SLI Plus you could also go with due to the fact that is has the M.2 support and SATA express and is cheaper than the G45 Gaming and you could use those savings to get on the M.2 bandwagon. One thing to remember though is that a mother board is only as good as the hardware you put on it, and the only reason one motherboard is better than another is if it is engineered to be extreme, or if it supports better hardware. Just go with a reliable company, of which both ASUS and MSI are, and pick a motherboard that falls within your price point and supports the hardware you want to use. Hopefully I helped, and good luck with your build.
 
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Proof of that poor quality control? I have heard that before from one of the moderators in here, but it was determined that only the low end boards were affected. As long as the board is registered, RMA won't be a problem either. Oh and MSI's repair center is in North America as well, so it shouldn't take very long to do an RMA if needed. I doubt you will need to use it though, since the Gaming 5 gets outstanding reviews. So does the Asus z97-a though.

Gaming 5 reviews and each one gives the gaming 5 an award:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/Z97_GAMING_5/12.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824-27.html (it's featured as one of Tom's recommended motherboards for the money as well)
http://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/msi-z97-gaming-5-motherboard-review/13/
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z97_gaming_5_motherboard_review/15
http://www.pureoverclock.com/Review-detail/msi-z97-gaming-5-motherboard-review/19/
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/content/reviews/motherboards/29804/intel-z97-chipset-launch-review-featuring-gigabyte-msi-and-asus/4

I could post the exact same for the Asus z97-a board as it gets awesome reviews as well. Either board is an excellent choice IMO. Until someone actually provides legitimate proof of MSI's poor quality control I'm calling BS on it. It was probably people that forgot to register their products and got screwed because of their own stupidity honestly. MSI have come a long ways in recent years and continue to get better all the time it seems IMO.
 
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Actually the MSI z97 GD-55 sli is better. It's basically a gaming 5 without the killer nic and the black and red color scheme. It's cheaper than the gaming 5 as well. http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DDR3-Motherboards-Z97-G55-SLI/dp/B00K23BVXU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422990690&sr=8-2&keywords=MSI+Z97-G55+SLI

Stay away from the krait edition board. The only review around shows it to be a pretty terrible in 3d performance: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/msi_z97_sli_krait_motherboard_review/12
 
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Upon further inspection, I think I will go with the ASUS Z97-A. It has everything I need and more. I have also been with ASUS for a while now and I have never had a problem with their boards. Thank you guys again for the help, it was very appreciated!
 
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i've got the asus z97m-plus (micro atx board) and have got to say, their customer svc is top notch - had a couple of driver issues, both times i called into their svc center in indiana (which means native US english speaking techs) and both times they went directly to the issue and resolved it within 30 -35 minutes each time

they were so sharp and professional, i actually wrote a complimentary email to the 2nd tech's supervisor and trust me, i don't compliment easily

if they're product was mediocre, which it isn't, i'd recommend asus
 
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