MSI Z87 -GD65 or MSI Z97-G45 (for a i5 4670K)

[gsanez]

Hi, I'm new in this forum and i kinda hate to begin in a forum with a question and not with an answer but I'm building my new rig and i encounter with this dilema "MSI Z87 -GD65 or MSI Z97-G45" the computer will be a workstation (lots of database and 3D rendering) & heavy gamming so it will be a OC (idk for sure, arround 4 or 4.2 ghz).

which MOBO will be "better" for this type of use? (also if this MOBO wouldnt suite i gladly accept some new MOBOs [around the 100-150€])

thx a lot

[pastymuncher]

Straight off I have to admit I don't like MSI boards as every one I have ever had has failed plus I have replaced several failed boards for other people too so I am biased against them.

Ignoring the different chipset you have selected two completely different boards at opposite ends of their range. The GD65 is towards the mid-top end of their range while the G45 is low-mid range. As I have said, I wouldn't buy MSI so what I would be looking at are:-

Asus Z87-A £105.56. Good, solid board that does both SLI and Crossfire should you decide to go dual card in the future,(I had the Z87 version) and comes with a free copy of watchdogs.

Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 3 £103.99 Similar spec to the Asus Z97-A and comes with a free set of Corsair Raptor HS30 headphones.

Asus TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2 £119.99 Better components used and a better spec. Also comes with Watchdogs.

Gigabyte GA-G1.Sniper Z97 £118.76 Has Creative Core audio and Killer Nic.

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SOC £139.32 More overclocking options than you can shake a stick at although pretty much wasted on Haswell.

Asus Z97-PRO (Wi-Fi ac) £148.76 Comes with built in wi-fi and a free copy of Watchdogs.

I would have suggested the Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO as the Z87 version that I have is a fantastic board, but it's over budget at £157.16.

Any of these boards will do what you want equally as well. Gigabyte has a UK RMA base so is well worth taking into account. None of these boards will overclock Haswell better than the others as the cpu is the limiting factor now. Unless using LN2 and extreme voltages a £100 won't clock Haswell any better than a £300 board.

Rather than the 4670K you should be looking at the newly released 4690K as it has improved TIM and seems to clock better than the 4670K. I believe Aria is the cheapest in the UK at the moment at £155.94.

[gsanez]

thx a lot.

well i think i can spend a little bit more in the MOBO, its a pity but in cant found in any of my "local" stores the Gigabyte GA z97X-SOC (the z87X-OC yes, in arround 165£ / 199€).

Searching a little bit i found the maximus VII hero arround 188€ /148£, a little out-of-budget but i can "do it". it will be ok with the OC? the maximus VI hero C2 would do the same or its very different? (i think they change the chipset and little more)


BTW sorry for my english, its not my native lenguaje :S

[pastymuncher]

The Maximus VII Hero is the latest Z97 chipest so that's the one I would go for. It should work with the 4690K out of the box as well unlike the Z87 version which would need a bios update.

[micre23]

I'd go for the MSI Z97-G45 as it has MSATA and M.2 support, also you won't be required to update your bios to add Intel 5th Generation CPU support

[gsanez]

Ummm interesting... its arround 30€ cheaper (the maximus VI) but i think i will accept your advice and go for the Maximus VII... my rig begins rise it price :S (1250€ so far)