Quick turnaround: Z97 Motherboard request - which should I get?

[tami]

Looking for a Z97 motherboard, possibly to replace this ASUS that is giving me trouble. It's a quick turnaround since I'll be going to Microcenter to exchange the ASUS.

Here's the ideal spec sought after:

Brand: ASRock or MSI
Features:
* RAM slots that aren't on top of the CPU because currently my Zalman heatsink doesn't fit
* POST codes displayed on screen or on the back of the motherboard
* The ability to restart the computer through the motherboard (some sort of Power button)
* The ability to flash BIOS quickly by reading the harddrive versus putting it on a USB key.

I also like the little accessory that lets me plug all the pins into one of those bigger pin "boxes" so I can stick it onto my motherboard without issue, and onboard speaker pins.

Price range: $100 or so

What to get?

 

[tami]

all right so I need to get this thing today and no one seems to have a clue...

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

AZ97 board at $100, Flee Bay!

 

[tami]

AZ97 board at $100, Flee Bay!

um what?

My goal is to go to Micro Center and make an exchange.

 

[RaistlinZ]

That would have been helpful to put in your original post.

Since you're going to Microcenter, just go to their website and narrow down your options based on what they actually have in stock (for $100) that fit your criteria.

 

[tami]

That would have been helpful to put in your original post.

Since you're going to Microcenter, just go to their website and narrow down your options based on what they actually have in stock (for $100) that fit your criteria.

Well that's what I don't know. What's the recommended one here? I'm looking but specifically asked here for recommendations.

I can go a little above $100 for the right mobo.

I'll update the original post. Thanks.

 

[tami]

Currently looking at the MSI Z97-Gaming 5.

Couple of notes:
1) I'm not a gamer. Do I need this or is there a lower end version that would be a better fit?
2) Would my ZALMAN CNPS7000V heatsink fit without getting stuck near the RAM?
3) Does MSI allow me to flash the BIOS from the hard drive these days, or do I still need to insert a USB of sorts? I really liked that about the ASUS I had, but everything else left much to be desired.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

They have clearance racks in Micro center of returned items, lots of deals. MSI has good customer service!!!!

 

[tami]

They have clearance racks in Micro center of returned items, lots of deals. MSI has good customer service!!!!

Yeah there are a few open box items, but not the board I want

 

[tami]

Well, I picked up the MSI Z97 Gaming 5, and for whatever reason, the cost was exactly the same, so no more money was out of pocket. Awesome! It also fixed my issue.

To answer my own questions:

* The RAM slots are on top of the heatsink and I have to put the first DIMM next to the heatsink or the thing doesn't POST. (Is this normal?)
* The mobo does display the POST codes onscreen and there's an LCD display on the mobo.
* The restart button exists
* You still need to flash the BIOS through a flash drive rather than on the hard drive like the ASUS. That was the one thing I liked about the ASUS.
* The accessory for the pins exists.
* MSI doesn't support internal speaker output on the mobo anymore (and hasn't since 2012). I had no idea.

I also loved the IO shield on the back of the motherboard; it was cushioned. Very cool little added value item that I really appreciated.

 

[Ketchup]

Fixed your issue, awesome! Was beginning to wonder what else it could be.

 

[markbeloved]

I was going to suggest a ASROCK Z97 E. It's a clear winner over the MSi Z97i AC And $50 cheaper than the one you bought would of done the job for you and more.

Never flash the BIOS with the MSI live update in Windows.

 

[markbeloved]

The MSI speaker 4-5 pins are next line along near the power, hdled I plugged in my case speaker but not heard nothing maybe your right.