ASUS Z87, which one?

PineAnas · February 18, 2014

Hello!
I am new to building PCs and I would like your expert opinion and your advice.

I am deciding between three motherboards in my new PC.

                   (Prices converted from SEK to US-Dollars)
ASUS Z87-PRO ATX            245,30$
ASUS Z87-PLUS ATX           229,87$
ASUS Z87M-PLUS mATX     168,16$

I will use one of these motherboards along with these:
CPU:      Intel Core i5 4670K
Cooling:      Noctua NH-U12P SE2
RAM:           Corsair 16GB (2x8GB) CL10 1866MHz VENGEANCE LP
Hard drive:   1TB WD Blue
SSD:              Kingston SSD V300 120GB
Video card: ASUS GeForce GTX 760 DC2 OC (probably, but most certainly nothing that takes up significantly more space.)
Case:        Corsair Carbide 200R
CPU:        Corsair CX 750M 80+ Bronze Modular

I'm trying to keep this build semi-economic so I do not want to pay to much for unnecessary ports and functions, but keep things that I might use, so...
Which one would do the job and which would allow me to keep it until my next build? (Which will probably be in 4 years.)
Would the cooler block the space where the RAM is? Should I pick up another cooler or am I worrying over nothing?
Also what does ATX and mATX mean?

E.Beadle · February 18, 2014

A M-ATX case will have 4 expansion slots vs. 7 in a full ATX motherboard.

I am always partial to an ATX motherboard. I love the space for the air flow capibility, the extra room for when you want to replace parts, upgrade parts etc etc. I will only use micro atx motherboards when clients need something on a budget as it cuts the price down, yet packs the punch they need for performance.

I personally was looking at these myself.. Go for the one that has the wifi feature. It comes in handy.. Trust me!

However, at this price range consider the asus z87 sabertooth which comes with a 5 year warranty.
Unless there is a benchmark reason you want these specific mobo..