Any comment on Intel's B85 chipsets?

[lsquare]

I have a old Haswell processor lying around and I'm looking to build a PC with that processor. It's a Core i5 processor, but it can't be overclocked so I don't see a need to spend the money and get a Z97 base motherboard. Other than overclocking, what are the advantages of Z97 over the B85?

I have these two motherboards in mind at the moment:

http://www.ncix.com/detail/asus-b85m-g-r2-0-matx-lga1150-78-100959.htm

http://www.ncix.com/detail/msi-b85m-e45-matx-lga1150-b85-05-105355.htm

 

[Deders]

iirc the B series are aimed more at mass office type scenarios where it's preferable to minimise features for the sake of costs. You might find yourself limited in terms of connectivity, PCIe lanes/USB etc.

It's the only disadvantage I can think of right now if you don't intend to overclock.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Nope, unless you need more than 4x USB3 ports, M.2, multi-GPU, more PCI-E lanes/slots or Intel RAID for some reason. Otherwise even H81 is more than adequate for most people going for a non-OC, bog-standard single-GPU/SATA only Haswell build.

 

[LTC8K6]

Z97 will likely allow you to run the i5 at it's turbo multiplier instead of it's base multiplier.

 

[Deders]

Z97 will likely allow you to run the i5 at it's turbo multiplier instead of it's base multiplier.

I think he means all cores running at turbo clocks at the same time, instead of just one being able to reach it which is an unlikely scenario when you consider how windows passes threads around cores.

Usually what you get is 4 cores running at minimum turbo. A good z97 board will give you the option to run all at Max turbo.

 

[Burpo]

The MSI is cheaper at B&H Photo..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...CcbI1TDfinGIlQIYexaaYh9Kx--mIR94GJRoCetTw_wcB