ASUS Z97I-Plus vs MSI Z97I Gaming ACK

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I'm comparing these two mini-ITX boards and need your thoughts. Which is better? - The ASUS Z97I-Plus or the MSI Z97I Gaming ACK, not to be confused with the older AC version. I linked the websites for specifications and feature review. Here are overview images below. The ACK is newer and than the Plus and has slightly better air cooler room with its CPU socket being placed a little more centered and away from the RAM slots.

 

ASUS Z97I-Plus

 

MSI Z97I Gaming ACK

[Vek1313]

I'm comparing these two mini-ITX boards and need your thoughts. Which is better? - The ASUS Z97I-Plus or the MSI Z97I Gaming ACK, not to be confused with the older AC version. I linked the websites for specifications and feature review. Here are overview images below. The ACK is newer and than the Plus and has slightly better air cooler room with its CPU socket being placed a little more centered and away from the RAM slots.

 

ASUS Z97I-Plus

asus_z97i-plus_io.jpg

 

MSI Z97I Gaming ACK

msi_z97i_gaming_ack_io.jpg

Well what are you looking for from your motherboard and any certain specs you need for it?

[Bob Jim]

MSI have a bad reputation for failing, especially with their ITX Boards, afaik.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Well what are you looking for from your motherboard and any certain specs you need for it?

 

Good CPU and RAM overclocking and BIOS features, good I/O selection, good audio, etc. I do like that both these boards have 2 of the 4 SATA ports moved to the board edge for cleaner cable routing and the Wi-Fi feature is a bonus. The MSI just came out in 2015 so there are only 2 YouTube overviews. It seems to be directly targeting this ASUS board. I'd be using an Intel I7 Core 4790K and G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 2400Mhz and the ASUS Matrix Platinum GTX 980 on it.

[Vek1313]

Good CPU and RAM overclocking and BIOS features, good I/O selection, good audio, etc. I do like that both these boards have 2 of the 4 SATA ports moved to the board edge for cleaner cable routing and the Wi-Fi feature is a bonus. The MSI just came out in 2015 so there are only 2 YouTube overviews. It seems to be directly targeting this ASUS board. I'd be using an Intel I7 Core 4790K and G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 2400Mhz and the ASUS Matrix Platinum GTX 980 on it.

Personally I would go with MSI, it is sexy and has a great bios setup while allowing for good overclocks. I am not a fan too much of ASUS boards but some are nice.

[vembutech]

I too would prefer for MSI.

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Someone else on Facebook is recommending the EVGA Z97 Stinger - which was of the first early Z97 boards. Is that still up to the newer offerings?

[NumLock21]

Between the 2, the Asus because it has more fan connectors than the MSI. Best newest ITX board currently on the market for socket 1150?

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_IMPACT/specifications/

Number of fan connectors/VRM

Z97I Plus:1x CPU+2x Chassis/6+2 vrm

Z97I ACK: 1x CPU+1x Chassis/6 vrm

VII Impact: 1x CPU+3x Chassis/8+2 vrm

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Between the 2, the Asus because it has more fan connectors than the MSI. Best newest ITX board currently on the market for socket 1150?

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_IMPACT/specifications/

Number of fan connectors/VRM

Z97I Plus:1x CPU+2x Chassis/6+2 vrm

Z97I ACK: 1x CPU+1x Chassis/6 vrm

VII Impact: 1x CPU+3x Chassis/8+2 vrm

^^^ Oh I thought that was the Z87 Maximus VI Impact. They look basically identical. I'll check out that Z97 Maximus VII Impact. Beautiful board and RoG too. Doing some cooler graphic mockups.\m/

[Steve N. Mavronis]

Well the Noctua NH-U12S (w/dual fans as seen in my illustration) should fit on the Z97 Maximus VII Impact. There is a review online of the older Z87 Maximus Vi impact showing the NH-U12S installed fine and the heatsink fins rise above the VRM daughter card so it also 'should' on this version too. I've read it does on other forums. Also there is this Review of the Z97 Maximus VII Impact even showing the larger NH-D15 fitting fine but it would block a rear case fan.

[NumLock21]

^^^ Oh I thought that was the Z87 Maximus VI Impact. They look basically identical. I'll check out that Z97 Maximus VII Impact. Beautiful board and RoG too. Doing some cooler graphic mockups.\m/

The audio card on the Z87 is much longer and they even stated its dB, but for this, they didn't. Besides that, both looks the same.

[User1868]

I also have the same problem but I'm going to go with the Asus because it has fan controllers on it

[Steve N. Mavronis]

I'm stuck now between the Z97I-Plus and the Z97 Maximus VII Impact. I know the later is better but that's a major price difference and a little more restricted with some air coolers because of the VRM board. That's why I have the NH-U12S in the planning mockup. The 140mm NH-U14S Heat pipes will hit the VRM but no such issue with the Z97I-Plus. Amazingly though the NH-D15 would even fit if you want to give up the rear case fan, at least on the inside. I'm also deciding between mITX and mATX (Z97 Maximus VII Gene) in either the Phantek Evolv ITX or Thermaltake V21/X1/X2 cases. I'm waiting to see what happens soon at Computex for any new offerings that grab my attention.

[User1868]

I'm stuck now between the Z97I-Plus and the Z97 Maximus VII Impact. I know the later is better but that's a major price difference and a little more restricted with some air coolers because of the VRM board. That's why I have the NH-U12S in the planning mockup. The 140mm NH-U14S Heat pipes will hit the VRM but no such issue with the Z97I-Plus. Amazingly though the NH-D15 would even fit if you want to give up the rear case fan, at least on the inside. I'm also deciding between mITX and mATX (Z97 Maximus VII Gene) in either the Phantek Evolv ITX or Thermaltake V21/X1/X2 cases. I'm waiting to see what happens soon at Computex for any new offerings that grab my attention.

 

The Maximus VII Impact is way more expensive (by x2 here)

[Steve N. Mavronis]

On Newegg:

• ASUS Maximus VII Impact (mini-ITX) - $220
• ASUS Maximus VII Gene (Micro-ATX) - $217

 

On Amazon:

• MSI Z97I Gaming ACK (mini-ITX) - $207 after $10 rebate

 

Damn expensive!

 

On Newegg:

• ASUS Z97I-Plus (mini-ITX) - $153

 

Best value.