Looking for Asus motherboard that will support win 7

[msalton1]

I'm using Asus support site to determine if Win 7 drivers are available. The going is tough. So far, using the drop down and choosing win 7 as the OS, I've found that the Asus Prime Z270-A has the drivers one would expect, but for newer boards (and cheaper!), those that do have a win 7 option in the drop down (i.e., ROG Strix b360) only show BIOS, Audio (some) and Qualified Vendor List.


I don't do a lot of gaming anymore (but you never know...), but These gaming boards use top quality components, and that I am interested in. In example, I built the machine I'm posting from in 2013 (Asus Max VI Hero 1150). No issues in 5 years. None.


The point being that I'm looking for a quality board that will support a high end CPU but allow for Win 7 usage.



Are motherboards as mentioned in the blue text above viable for Win 7 use?


Any opinions or recommendations for a board to suit my purposes is appreciated. I'm not necessarily opposed to using AMD, as long as it matches Intel quality and performance.

 

[SIW2]

Plenty of people using recent hardware with win7. The thing to avoid are amd cpu with built in graphics. Without built in graphics the 3000 series work well. INtel cpu with built in graphics are fine - there is a driver for win7x64 uhd620 and uhd630.

Some mobos would need pcie to usb3 card if you want usb3 support for win7.

Another thing that makes installing simpler is if the mobo has a usb2 port and/or a ps2 port.

Win Raid is good place to check for tips on any particular mobo/cpu.

Ryzen3700x with win7:

 

[msalton1]

Thanks for the reply, SIW2 (it was at your suggestion that I used the Asus site drop down). So is a motherboard such as the Prime Z390, that shows only Win 10 driver support is usable, or I need to confine myself to those boards that show win 7 (even though there are really no drivers listed, just bios)? Can you point to a board you feel good about for my purposes? Also, I have an abundance of high end video cards, so no problem there.


ps - thanks for the win raid link.

 

[samuria]

Its only a matter of time that you have no choice but to use 10 as no one will make drivers for a defunked windows

 

[msalton1]

Its only a matter of time that you have no choice but to use 10 as no one will make drivers for a defunked windows

That's why I'm buying new hardware now for the machines that matter. My aversion to Win 10 was just amplified when I took a neighbor's laptop in. It updated and hosed the system. A continuous boot loop of 'restoring previous version', only it didn't. Googling (DDG) showed it to be a very common occurrence. I tried all the methods to set it straight, but wound up reinstalling. I can't be having that here, I run a business. I'll run win 7 as long as I can, then maybe switch to Linux where I have to.

 

[Megahertz07]

That's why I'm buying new hardware now for the machines that matter. My aversion to Win 10 was just amplified when I took a neighbor's laptop in. It updated and hosed the system. A continuous boot loop of 'restoring previous version', only it didn't. Googling (DDG) showed it to be a very common occurrence. I tried all the methods to set it straight, but wound up reinstalling. I can't be having that here, I run a business. I'll run win 7 as long as I can, then maybe switch to Linux where I have to.

Win 7 will work as it works today for many years.

 

[msalton1]

I haven't yet decided on a motherboard. These questions occur:


1. Will the best prices occur before or after Christmas?


2. Newer motherboards seem to 'want' to be for Win 10 only. I assume that choosing the "others" OS applies to Win 7, which as seem in the screenshot, provides limited drivers.

• Does the 'others' designation indeed encompass Win 7, or just win 8.1 & other OS's (i.e. Linux)?
• Assuming Win 7, any compat, performance or other issues that can be expected?

It seems some of the older boards (i.e., Prime Z370A) have a Win 7 x64 or x32 driver option.


3. I'm looking at Asus because I've had good experience with them. I'm not stuck on the Prime series, and have an ROG Maximus VI Hero that I've had great success with (no problems since built in 2013). I also have an MSI gaming 5 (just upgraded to 4790K cpu) that runs 24/7 and (with the CPU upgrade) is a screamer.


Any opinions on brands (for the purposes of remaining on win 7 pro X64)?

 

[msalton1]

Plenty of people using recent hardware with win7. The thing to avoid are amd cpu with built in graphics. Without built in graphics the 3000 series work well. INtel cpu with built in graphics are fine - there is a driver for win7x64 uhd620 and uhd630.

Some mobos would need pcie to usb3 card if you want usb3 support for win7.

Another thing that makes installing simpler is if the mobo has a usb2 port and/or a ps2 port.

Win Raid is good place to check for tips on any particular mobo/cpu.

I've had a little time to do a bit of research and may have a mobo that fits the bill: Asus TUF Z370-Plus Gaming.
It's a Z370 board and also sports USB2 and a (combo) PS/2 port. Not that I have a PS/2 mouse, but I do have a PS/2 keyboard, and I can pick up a mouse if needed.

Plus, Asus provides a full compliment of win 7 x64 drivers.

At any rate, given that this is for my main system, I generally like to go with the beefiest processor I can. For the sake of windows 7 (x64) compatibility, are any of the (board) compatible processors OK, or are some problematic in regards to win 7? The range I would like to stay in is the i7-8700K up to the i9-9900K (<--preferably).

 

[Megahertz07]

For the Z370 MB you will have to add SATA, USB3.x and MVMe drivers to the Win 7 installation disk, even if you use USB 2.0

 

[msalton1]

For the Z370 MB you will have to add SATA, USB3.x and MVMe drivers to the Win 7 installation disk, even if you use USB 2.0

Thanks Mhz07. I believe the final verdict will be the Asus Strix Z370-H and I note that although it supports win 7, it doesn't provide USB or sata drivers (I doubt I'll use the MvMe anyway).


Where would I get those drivers?


Also, I haven't researched cpus, but see that this board supports the i9-9900K. Are you aware of any issues that might occur in these circumstances?

 

[SIW2]

Some 370 boards have ps2 simulator and legacy usb support options in bios.

I don't know if that brand/model has.

If you can find the manual online, itmight have bios screenshots so you can see.

YEP.




https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...ING/E13474_TUF_Z370_PLUS_GAMING_UM_v2_web.pdf

 

[Megahertz07]

Thanks Mhz07. I believe the final verdict will be the Asus Strix Z370-H and I note that although it supports win 7, it doesn't provide USB or sata drivers (I doubt I'll use the MvMe anyway).


Where would I get those drivers?


Also, I haven't researched cpus, but see that this board supports the i9-9900K. Are you aware of any issues that might occur in these circumstances?

The USB 3.x and SATA drive is the chipset, not the CPU. You have to search for Z370 USB 3.x and SATA drivers for Win 7.

 

[msalton1]

The USB 3.x and SATA drive is the chipset, not the CPU. You have to search for Z370 USB 3.x and SATA drivers for Win 7.

I've read that you can download the mfr drivers for the windows 10 chipset and extract the sata, USB drivers etc. They are said to be compatible with win 7. Or I guess I should at least be able to dl the USB 3 drivers from intel.


The CPU question was a separate question. I'm fishing ahead now that the Mboard issue is closing in on resolution.

 

[msalton1]

...

 

[msalton1]

Some 370 boards have ps2 simulator and legacy usb support options in bios.

I don't know if that brand/model has.

If you can find the manual online, itmight have bios screenshots so you can see.

YEP.
View attachment 410558

View attachment 410559

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...ING/E13474_TUF_Z370_PLUS_GAMING_UM_v2_web.pdf

Sorry I missed this earlier.That's helpful. I've been in a bit of a 'panic' to find a quality z370 motherboard, since stocks are dwindling quickly. In addition to the TUF Z370 Gaming Plus, I had my eye on the Strix 370-H, of which I could find only one, which I ordered. I also ordered 2 of the Tuff Plus Gaming boards.


The 370-H doesn't have the same PS/2 and legacy USB support options you mention (although it does have a PS/2 combo & USB 2 back panel connections). Will I still be able to install win 7 on this (strix)?

 

[SIW2]

Now you have ordered it, you better hope so.

 

[msalton1]

Now you have ordered it, you better hope so.

I bought the 2 TUF boards because there are two win 7 machines that I have to keep running. I bought the Strix for one of those. If the Strix board doesn't work out, I'll use one of the TUFs and either sell the Strix or use it on another of my machines with another OS (I may even eventually put Win 10 on one).



Had I been able to start the process sooner, I would have gotten all ROG boards, since I've had great success with them over the years. The Strix z370-H was literally the last ROG z370- board available that might suit my purpose. There are Primes available, but they are below the ROG and TUF series in terms of quality.

 

[UsedBits]

Seeking motherboard with 4k onboard graphics for Win7 system

I hope this thread is still alive.

This thread is very interesting, but it runs counter to what I've read about running Win7 on a 'modern' motherboard.

According to ASUS chat support representatives, the most recent ASUS board that can run Windows 7 is an AT3+. I'm no longer versed in motherboards and, with Win7 being decommissioned, can find little in the way of motherboard compatibility.

My need is modest - all I need is more screen real estate than two 1280x1024 monitors can display. A 4k monitor (or TV - because I don't need a fast monitor) will be enough. However, my current ASUS M2N68-VM onboard graphics can't do 4k.

So, my choices are:

1. find a graphics card that will work with my motherboard
2. find a motherboard with onboard 4k graphics that is compatible with Windows 7
3. replace my entire system and reload everything from scratch (not desirable).

 

[msalton1]

So, my choices are:

1. find a graphics card that will work with my motherboard
2. find a motherboard with onboard 4k graphics that is compatible with Windows 7
3. replace my entire system and reload everything from scratch (not desirable).

You're probably better off starting a new thread. That said, your simplest & cheapest option would be a new graphics card (if they make one that does what you need and works in your board). If you replace the board, you're looking at replacing the CPU and RAM as well.


That said (and for the sake of updating the thread), I can vouch that the Asus TUF Z370 works, and there are still some available (intel platform). USB 3 support is managed with a PCIE to usb3 card. You'd should be able to find compatible RAM and 8th gen CPU at this writing. I had to use Asus EZ Installer to get Win 7 onto the board.

 

[UsedBits]

Thanks, msalton1. I'll review the motherboard you suggested and as mentioned in the thread.

However, I believe this graphics card might provide the 4k display without having to go through the machinations of swapping the motherboard, CPU, memory, etc.

GIGABYTE GeForce GT 1030 DirectX 12 GV-N1030OC-2GI Video Card - Newegg.com