Z87 Motherboard

[Coolant]

Hi

I'm likely selling the current i7 2600K + P67 setup in favor of a i7 4770K + Z87 setup. I know that the upgrade won't do too much in raw power, but the cost wouldn't be too high either, thanks to the old gear retaining much of it's value.

That way, I could also find an elegant solution to bring the signal to a third monitor.

I have listed five motherboards that I've been considering:

Asrock Fatal1ty H87 ~90€*
Asrock Z87 Pro4 ~ 98€
Asus Z87-C 115€
Asus Z87 Plus ~ 144€ - 8 SATA ports
MSI Z87 GD65 Gaming ~165€ - 8 SATA ports

*Intel removed the non-K overclocking but how did they do it? Can I simply avoid updating the BIOS and keep it overclockable?

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Afaik the LGA 1150 is another dead-end, but it seems that we are not get anything new anytime soon. This website's review praises the MSI GD65, and it looks good.

On the current motherboard, I am using all my SATA ports. I could plug in the harddrive I have stored in a corner and the optical drive I never use if I can get my hands on two additional ones, which is nice.

I also have a Xonar DG. The MSI doesn't have any PCI-slots, but it does seem to have a comparable solution. Which is nice, especially since some of the software I use doesn't like the idea of having an external sound card. I've mainly used the DG for headphone amp (which MSI has) and surround (which the MSI also seems to be able to simulate).

I would plan to use CNPS20LQ as a cooler. Let's say I get a good chip, would any of the motherboards hold me down? I don't plan on the 4770K de-lid any time soon.

 

[SavageCupcake]

Definitely get a z87 chipset. The msi board gets my vote. As for the sound card, maybe sell it with your old gear and get a dgx for around the same price, or as you said stick with the onboard?

 

[Feronix]

Definitely get a z87 chipset. The msi board gets my vote. As for the sound card, maybe sell it with your old gear and get a dgx for around the same price, or as you said stick with the onboard?

On-board audio is never really as good as a dedicated card. Not even on the MSI Gaming, Asus ROG or Gigabyte G1 series.

Other than that, I fully agree with this comment!

 

[Coolant]

Well, it's only a DG. I'm not sure how much I'd lose if I'd trade it for a "high-end" Realtek. Some of the software isn't taking a liking to the external card, either.

Naturally, throwing a ZXR in would improve the sound, but it's not that cost-efficient.

If Intel really isn't throwing anything next year, I might as well keep up with the good ol' two year cycle. I kind of dislike the idea of getting "better" Intel boards since they don't like sticking to their sockets, but MSI would have enough features to justify it.

Looking through all the boards, it's either that or the AsRock, and if I can stick the leftovers into the computer along with overall better quality, I'd rather pick that up.

 

[Netroxen]

Either MSI or Asus. Don't bother with H87.

 

[Feronix]

You can always run on-board sound for now and buy a dedicated sound card at a later stage. It's not like it is a necessity, more like a bonus.

I'd personally grab the MSI one, simply because it's of good quality, looks nice and has a lot of useful features.

 

[Netroxen]

Also Z[x]7 chipsets are notably better for overclocking...

 

[Coolant]

I had this on a pause for a while. Now I've got a 4770K coming, so don't think I'm not serious .

VI Hero at ~172€ or MSI-GD65 Gaming for ~158€. Part of deals, or at least sort of. I'd like to know the difference between these two.

For my uses, the Haswell will bring an improvement. I've been planning this a bit too much like it has always been with these things (I even thought about going SFF...), but right now I'm pretty much heading towards the final goal.

 

[tinytomlogan]

I had this on a pause for a while. Now I've got a 4770K coming, so don't think I'm not serious .

VI Hero at ~172€ or MSI-GD65 Gaming for ~158€. Part of deals, or at least sort of. I'd like to know the difference between these two.

For my uses, the Haswell will bring an improvement. I've been planning this a bit too much like it has always been with these things (I even thought about going SFF...), but right now I'm pretty much heading towards the final goal.

1 is made by asus

1 is made by MSI

They look different.

Mobo differences are all about the spec sheet and looks now matey. Youd know that if you read or even watched our reviews.....

 

[NeverBackDown]

The difference between the two comes down to their features. Performance differences are non existent. Go for the one you think looks better and has the things you want that are useful.

 

[Coolant]

I'll just update this here...

So, GD65 got sold out (I wasn't the only one buying the 4770K) so I kind of had to go with the Hero. I was clicking on it but the store page hadn't updated, lol.

I would've gone for the MSI, reasoning being that I have one already with convincing quality for a budget board, audio boost (headphone amp) when you need integrated, and it being cheaper. Oh well. Time for an asus board.