Solved Choice of z97 motherboard

[tempApple]

EDIT:

I am thinking of upgrading my motherboard. I'm looking at z97 ones. Form factor: ATX.

I have some preferences:

• plenty of fan headers
• best sound for music/games
• no wifi
• nothing unnecessary: simple
• overclock support
• durable components
• simple nice bios.

Also it must be strong/sturdy, because it needs to be able to hold a heavy cpu fan (Phanteks ph-tc14pe).


Can anyone suggest any motherboards?

 

[AddRAM]

Motherboards | SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1 | ASUS USA

Motherboards | SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK S | ASUS USA

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK S LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Motherboard - Newegg.com

 

[tempApple]

They look pretty spot on

Do you think it's worth upgrading from the Asus z87-a?

 

[AddRAM]

Could you post an Asus link, so I can compare the 2 boards

If I needed a board and had the money, I`d be all over the Mark S, it`s sweet looking.

 

[AddRAM]

Couple more links, more expensive boards.

ASUS MAXIMUS VII FORMULA/WATCH DOGS LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

MSI Z97A GAMING 9 ACK LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1/USB 3.1 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

 

[Boozad]

If you need more than 6 SATA ports I wouldn't look at the Mk 1 Sabertooth. My recommendation would be to pick up a Sabertooth Z87 and flash the BIOS to accept the Z97 chipset (only because that's what Ive done!).

 

[AddRAM]

Why not it has 8 ports, and he already has a Z87, he wants a Z97

But let`s not derail the thread.

 

[Boozad]

I must be getting my boards mixed up then, I could have sworn the Mk1 only had six SATA ports. And the part about getting a Z87 was a joke really, hence my comment in brackets at the end.

 

[Boozad]

It does only have six SATA 6Gbs ports. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK1 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

 

[AddRAM]

You are correct, that other port below it is what I was looking at, I guess that`s the sata express port, whatever that is.

1 x SATA Express port, black compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports (whatever this means)

Strange they went from 8 internal sata plus 2 external on the Z77 to just 6 on the Z97, that`s just stupid.

Intel® Z77 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), brown
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *4
ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : *5
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red


Intel® Z97 chipset :
1 x SATA Express port, black*1
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s),
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *2
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *3
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), beige

 

[AddRAM]

So if you utilize the sata express port (however you do that) you don`t loose anything

 

[tempApple]

Here's my current: https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87A/specifications/
Compare to: Motherboards | SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1 | ASUS USA

I don't need any more than 6 sata ports, especially if they're all sata3 6GB/s

Sabertooth mark I is about as high price as I'd go, but it looks worth it. Mark S looks cool but doesn't seem to have significant physical improvement

 

[AddRAM]

Other then looks, and having a new board, I see no reason to get the Sabertooth over what you have.

But if I did, I`d get the Mark S

 

[tempApple]

Hmm I might stick with the z87 for now then.

My main motivation was that mine only has

1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin)

which I believe means 3 case fans only. Or can you split headers to > 1 fan each?

And also that I don't want the heavy cpu fan (1250g with dual fans!) to bend it.
It's sometimes easy to believe I have to upgrade things haha

 

[AddRAM]

You can run fans off a molex cable from the PSU, all you need is a fan splitter.

I have 2 of these.

CobocLP43TX4-12 Sleeved 16 inch 4-pin Molex LP4 toThree(3) x 4-pin TX4 PWM Fan Power Splitter Adapter Converter Cable with one TX4 Female for RPM Feedback - Newegg.com

I only use the MB for the CPU fan and the back exhaust fan and 1 splitter, which I don`t even monitor. The splitters connect to 4 120mm blue LED hard drive cooler fans that have a L, M, H speed selector.

 

[Layback Bear]

tempApple

The 3 big question.

1. How much money are you willing to spend?

2. What are going to using this computer for?

3. What other hardware do you intend to use?

 

[tempApple]

I think I'm happy I don't need to upgrade the MB. I've got all the other hardware I need too. I'll get some fan splitters. Thanks everyone

 

[Layback Bear]

I use these fan hubs. Keep a lot of clutter off the motherboard.

NeweggBusiness - NZXT AC-GRID-10-M1 Ten Port Fan Hub