motherboard for Intel I7 4790K

[sioux]

I want to upgrade my old Intel I7 920 and Gigabyte GA EX58 UD5
So, for the CPU i go for Intel I7 4790K but not sure which motherboard i shoud get.
ASUS or Gigabyte ? What would you recommend ? My budget is about 260 - 280 euro for the motherboard.
What about those models ?
Gigabyte GA Z97X UD5H
ASUS ROG Maximus VII Hero
ASUS Z97 DELUXE
ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark S
Gigabyte GA Z97X - UD7 TH
Gigabyte Z97X - Gaming G1

My GPU is GTX 980Ti, not sure if i want to add another one, in the future.
Thanks in advance, any advices are welcome.

 

[Leyawiin]

I just bought a Gigabyte GA Z97X UD5H two weeks ago. Its a great motherboard - one of the easiest builds I ever did. I can tell a noticeable difference using a G3258 @ 4.5 Ghz in gaming vs. an MSI Z87 MPower Max I use to have it in (with the same video card). Smoother gameplay and a couple FPS more. Its has two LAN ports (Intel and Killer) and while I have no need to use both at the same time its nice to have a backup in case one ever fails (which I've had happen twice over the years - once with an Asus Z97-A). I have never used SLI and don't intend to so I don't have an opinion on that feature. All in all its a really solid board that I got for a good price ($160 US). I don't have any experience with the other boards you mentioned but maybe other owners of them can chime in.

 

[happy medium]

GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 ,219$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128835

i7 6700k, 369$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117559

why would you buy a dead end platform.?

 

[Zim]

GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 ,219$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128835

i7 6700k, 369$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117559

why would you buy a dead end platform.?

Because he has a big investment in DDR3?

I'm sorta thinking in the same direction. I already have 16GB of DDR3, I think I can get an I7 4790K quite cheap, and I'm hoping I can get a good Z97 board on sale sometime soon. I'm basing my rationale on the premise that Skylake hasn't really upped the ante significantly over Haswell or Broadwell.

 

[lyssword]

I think there are z170 boards that take normal ddr3 (1.5v even)

 

[happy medium]

Because he has a big investment in DDR3?

6gb? that's like 20$

 

[sioux]

GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 ,219$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128835

i7 6700k, 369$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117559

why would you buy a dead end platform.?

You think, Z97 / I7 4790K is a dead end platform ??

 

[Kenmitch]

You think, Z97 / I7 4790K is a dead end platform ??

If your the normal end user that changes cpu/mb combos it's not really dead ended. More like tapped out from the get go other than the illusive Broadwell chips.

 

[lehtv]

You think, Z97 / I7 4790K is a dead end platform ??

Yes, in the sense that a new platform will be required if you ever want to upgrade your processor.

Yes, in the sense that you have no support for DDR4 memory or USB 3.1.

No, if you only look at processor performance. 4790K would be fine for a similar amount of time, performance wise, as 6700K.

I don't see how it makes sense, however, to spend considerable money on 2 years old technology when you can, instead, buy the latest and greatest. Skylake performs better per clock and overclocks better, which already are reasons enough to spend extra on it, almost nullifying any "bang for buck" arguments against it. But then, as a bonus, you also get newer tech with better resale value, and newer motherboard design and features.

 

[Leyawiin]

Yes, in the sense that a new platform will be required if you ever want to upgrade your processor.

I have never upgraded a processor during the life of a motherboard. When the processor is too weak to do the job I want it to the motherboard is obsolete as well (and that's been about four to five years the last few builds I've done).

USB 3.1.

There are a number of socket 1150 motherboards that have been update to support this. As it stands right now you'll probably spend at least $75 to $100 more between a socket 1151 CPU and motherboard vs. 1150 (not even counting DDR4 memory). At this early stage there are just a lot more choices in processors and motherboards at better prices for Haswell/Haswell Refresh. A lot more. The performance difference isn't even worth mentioning.

Now how about answering the O.P.'s question? He probably gave up and moved on.

 

[Zim]

I have survived the last 6 years on a Sandy Bridge platform (Q6600 for most of the time), so a jump to Haswell for another 4-5 years is not exactly cutting my own throat. I recently got 16GB of HyperX DDR3 (not L) for $30 new; the equivalent DDR4 costs $110+. I can get a good Z97 board for about $130; the equivalent Z170 costs $200+. An i5 4xxxK is $200 (and available used for cheaper) whereas an i5 6xxxK is $260. Price differential for the upgrade is $200+ without a corresponding performance differential.

And some Z97 boards have USB 3.1 if that's a deal breaker.

And Leyawiin, that's the board I'm thinking about too... albeit $160 ish. OutletPC.com seems to be the cheapest source.

 

[bigboxes]

Ok, enough with the dead platform nonsense. You don't have to stroke your e-peen with me. I seriously don't think that I will ever need to upgrade my CPU until I'm ready to get a new mobo as well. I stuck with my i7 920 for 5 1/2 years. I'm sure that I will be more than happy with the 4790K (o/c to an easy 4.4Ghz) for years to come. If I want USB 3.1 I will just purchase an PCIe card and voila! Of course, I bought my stuff at the end of the year/beginning of this year, but if you already have the ram there's no reason to purchase DDR4. A lot of people like to tell other people what to do with their money. LOL

 

[happy medium]

You think, Z97 / I7 4790K is a dead end platform ??

I don't think it is.......it is!

There will be no more cpu's made for it or motherboards made for it. Yes its dead.

You gotta buy DDr4 sooner or later.

 

[sioux]

If i upgrade now to Haswell or Skylake, i will keep the cpu + mobo for about 3-4 years, and when i upgrade again, i will change both.
So, i don't really care if there are no more CPU or mobo, for this platform.

 

[happy medium]

If i upgrade now to Haswell or Skylake, i will keep the cpu + mobo for about 3-4 years, and when i upgrade again, i will change both.
So, i don't really care if there are no more CPU or mobo, for this platform.

hey its your money, that 980ti has been wasting away in that stock rig long enough.

 

[sioux]

Long enough ? 2 months ?
C'mon ...

 

[sioux]

I have one more question. Whatever i choice, there is no more PCI, so i have to upgrade my old Creative SB Xtreme Gamer, as well.
With the new technology / onboard sounds, do you think they are okay for gaming / music ?
Thank you

 

[guskline]

I have the Asus Maximus Hero for my 4790k and it is an Outstanding mb. Great overclocker.

 

[Kenmitch]

I just bought a Gigabyte GA Z97X UD5H two weeks ago. Its a great motherboard - one of the easiest builds I ever did. I can tell a noticeable difference using a G3258 @ 4.5 Ghz in gaming vs. an MSI Z87 MPower Max I use to have it in (with the same video card). Smoother gameplay and a couple FPS more. Its has two LAN ports (Intel and Killer) and while I have no need to use both at the same time its nice to have a backup in case one ever fails (which I've had happen twice over the years - once with an Asus Z97-A). I have never used SLI and don't intend to so I don't have an opinion on that feature. All in all its a really solid board that I got for a good price ($160 US). I don't have any experience with the other boards you mentioned but maybe other owners of them can chime in.

Got the same MB currently paired with a 4790k(4.7Ghz @1.27v's) as anything higher looks to take too much effort and vcore to reach stability. 4.7Ghz was too easy! My 1st 4790k was better clocker but would corrupt the bios for some reason. Wound up exchanging it during my 14 day return period. Pain in the arse recovering MB bios when both bios are corrupted!

Currently there's a BK version in the for sale/trade forum for $90 shipped. Surprised it hasn't been snagged up yet.

 

[Kenmitch]

I have one more question. Whatever i choice, there is no more PCI, so i have to upgrade my old Creative SB Xtreme Gamer, as well.
With the new technology / onboard sounds, do you think they are okay for gaming / music ?
Thank you

The Z97X-UD5H has PCI slots if needed. Wouldn't cause any issue running single gpu it looks like as the second PCI slot would be 5 slots away. Not sure about the other MB's you listed.

 

[Leyawiin]

I don't think it is.......it is!

There will be no more cpu's made for it or motherboards made for it. Yes its dead.

You gotta buy DDr4 sooner or later.

Intel's pretty much played its hand for the upper end of socket 1151. Its no faster in gaming than Haswell Refresh. Kaby Lake (Skylake Refresh) might be a little faster. By Q2 2016 socket 1151 is "dead". If the OP needs a build now and Haswell Refresh is considerably cheaper with vastly more choice of boards, processors and DDR3 memory he might as well go for that. In the end if he keeps it three or four years its all going to have to be replaced, Haswell Refresh/1150 or Skylake/1151. About all that could be reused is the DDR4 memory from a Skylake build.

 

[jkauff]

I have one more question. Whatever i choice, there is no more PCI, so i have to upgrade my old Creative SB Xtreme Gamer, as well.
With the new technology / onboard sounds, do you think they are okay for gaming / music ?
Thank you

I have an Asus Z97 Pro, which comes with the higher-end Realtek audio chip and has additional shielding as well. It's not as good as my M-Audio Audiophile 192 PCI card was, but it's very good. I'm not a gamer, so I can't help you there, but I get good audio even with my 24/96 hi-res music files.

 

[happy medium]

Intel's pretty much played its hand for the upper end of socket 1151. Its no faster in gaming than Haswell Refresh. Kaby Lake (Skylake Refresh) might be a little faster. By Q2 2016 socket 1151 is "dead". If the OP needs a build now and Haswell Refresh is considerably cheaper with vastly more choice of boards, processors and DDR3 memory he might as well go for that. In the end if he keeps it three or four years its all going to have to be replaced, Haswell Refresh/1150 or Skylake/1151. About all that could be reused is the DDR4 memory from a Skylake build.

I believe it will use the 1151 socket for 10nm Kabylake refresh also.

 

[dlerious]

My last 5 or so upgrades have all been CPU + Motherboard + RAM. I have 2 systems running each time (newest and previous). I might do CD/DVD , HDD/SSD , GPU between upgrades. Bought an ASUS Z97-Pro and GTX970 about 5 months ago. When it's time to replace, it'll be my second system and new parts will go in my current secondary.