Help with motherboard choice!

DreadaNdHollow

New member
Hey Guys, I am slowly starting on my new build and want to hear if any of you have experience with these motherboards and what you think is best.

ASUS Z97-AR Black - http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97AR/

ASUS Z97-PRO - http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97PRO/

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK - http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5102#ov

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK - http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5106#ov

The system is just All-Round Daily With some Gaming and Photoshop/illustrator on top.
I'm going to overclock in the future and maybe also start render/editing videos next year.

My priorities is Stability, Longevity and a Good onboard sound. Gaming result seems to be around the same.

I don't really have a budget, because I'm building it over a longer period,
but that does not means that I'm going to throw away money!

It's going into a black NXZT S340 and want to show the system nice and tight looking.
and to get it out of the way, I am NOT going with a Red/Black MB or theme.

here is the differents I could see among the boards.

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Asus Z97-AR
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97AR/specifications/

Pros:
- just like Asus Z97 A, just in black and Silver
- Cheap

Cons:
- Realtek ALC892 Codec (But How bad is it?)
- "Only" 8 Phase Power
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Asus Z97-PRO
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97PRO/specifications/

Pros:
Realtek ALC1150
- High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output and 104 dB SNR recording input
- BD Audio Layer Content Protection?
ASUS Digital Power Design:
- Industry leading Digital 12 Phase Power Design
- Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
- DRAM Power Utility

Cons:

- Not Super crazy with the colors,
But think it will look great with Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM
- A little bit pricy for my liking.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5102#sp

Pros:
- Realtek ALC1150
Cons:
- Intel GbE LAN chip (Again how bad is it?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5106#sp

Pros:
- Realtek ALC1150
- Qualcomm® Atheros Killer E2201 LAN chip (How good is it?)

Cons:
- A little bit pricy for my liking.
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