Z97 Pro VS Z97 Pro WiFi

Enkidu of Abydos

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Jun 30, 2015
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I would like an expert to tell me if there is ANY difference between the two similar models by Asus named above besides the WiFi and Bluetooth module ? There is one thread here asking the same question but the answer only lists the Asus comparison chart, which I've checked out as well, and there don't seem to be any differences, but those charts don't list everything. Any other physical differences (besides the wireless module) or any different features ? Do they both come with the same accesories (except for the antenna of course) ?
The reason I'm asking is because I wanted the WiFi version but can't find it anymore, but I have found the other one, so I was thinking I could get a WiFi card on the side.
Also, would you recommend a PCI-E card or a USB 3.0 WiFi stick or some other type of device to give my desktop WiFi capability ? And which model would you recommend (up to 50$, not too huge antennas or external cable-connected antennas, latest WLAN n capability, decent quality and not too ugly looking) ?
 
Solution
Nah they are the same motherboard. Just the z97 pro has the wifi module cut out (everythign else is exactly the same). As far as modules goes, depends. If you game with just one GPU, I would say go for a pci-e card, if you multi-gpu then go with a usb 3.0 stick. Personally I use a pci-e card from tp-link, 300mbps which costs 10$ and I can't be happier.
Nah they are the same motherboard. Just the z97 pro has the wifi module cut out (everythign else is exactly the same). As far as modules goes, depends. If you game with just one GPU, I would say go for a pci-e card, if you multi-gpu then go with a usb 3.0 stick. Personally I use a pci-e card from tp-link, 300mbps which costs 10$ and I can't be happier.
 
Solution
Yeah one GPU can't fill 16 lanes, that's why it's fine if it's one GPU, but if they are two, then you have one running at x8 (which is fine) and the other running at x4 (which won't be fine for a high end gpu and your gpu will be high end since it's pointless to sli/xfire low end gpus), but if you use one gpu, then you are completely fine. Also that pci-e wifi is good, though it's a bit too much, are you sure you are really going to use all that bandwidth and even the dual band?
 
I don't understand, legitreviews.com says the first two x16 slots share lanes with each other, and the third shares with the 4 1x slots. So if I put a GPU in the first slot it should have 16x as long as the second slot is empty, and a GPU in the third slot should have 16x minus whatever is plugged into the 1x slots ?
The plan is 1 970 GTX (EVGA SSC 3975) now, and maybe (just maybe) 1 more of the same later when 1 becomes too weak. Or I may just sell it and go for a more powerful GPU if that proves to be more money-efficient.
As for the WiFi card, I basically just need a wireless connection to my router for Internet (20 Mbps at the moment but that may change in time) and maybe for moving files around with my phone or laptop (so I'd like to achieve ~ USB 2.0 speed if possible).
 

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