Can't Decide which Z97

[LeFusion]

Hello, my current motherboard and processor is totally out-of-date, I'm deciding to get a new one. I'm going for a i5 4690K CPU, but I can't decided on which Motherboard. I'm not really a tech-savvy kinda guy which is why I'm asking for some suggestions, pointers, what's more important and what's not. My GPU is also out-of-date (MSI GTX 560 Ti) which is why I'm thinking of getting Gigabyte GTX 960 G1 at a later point.. 

 

These 3 is what I'm currently deciding on.. 
//MSI Z97 GAMING 7
//ASUS Z97 PRO GAMER

//GIGABYTE Z97X-GAMING 7

 

I'm sorta going for the MSI Z97 Gaming 7, just wanted to know if the other 2 would be a better choice. And I'd most probably a Cooler Master NEPTON 120XL for cooling.

 

Thanks!

 

__

 

Current Rig Specs:

MB: Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
CPU: Intel® Core i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
RAM: X4, G Skill Ripgaws 4GB
PSU: FSP 750W Aurum Gold 80+ Modular
DISKS: Intel SSD 120GB, SEAGATE HDD 2TB
Casing: NZXT Phantom (Full Tower)
 

[NeatSquidYT]

Gaming 7 out of those.

[Laputacake]

Dont get the Nepton. An air cooler would be better. I'd say stick with the MSI

[G27Racer_188]

2600k is still a good CPU. You'd be better to save money on buying CPU/MOBO and put in the GPU.

[GlassBomb]

Out of that bunch I would have gotten the Asus' one. Because I like their Motherboards, and you can't really go wrong with them.

 

And on a second note, how come you're not thinking of upgrading your graphics card before overall platform? (Luke/Slick is actually still using a 2600k as well.)

[LeFusion]

Out of that bunch I would have gotten the Asus' one. Because I like their Motherboards, and you can't really go wrong with them.

 

And on a second note, how come you're not thinking of upgrading your graphics card before overall platform? (Luke/Slick is actually still using a 2600k as well.)

 

I'm not really sure, but probably I might be using a cheap thermal paste, Running CS.GO, my CPU would reach 80°C.. I'm using a normal intel cpu fan at the moment.

[LeFusion]

2600k is still a good CPU. You'd be better to save money on buying CPU/MOBO and put in the GPU.

 

My 2600K would still be able to work with these mobo?

[paprikman]

I'm not really sure, but probably I might be using a cheap thermal paste, Running CS.GO, my CPU would reach 80°C.. I'm using a normal intel cpu fan at the moment.

It's not "normal", it's a "stock".

Throw it into the window.

[Trik'Stari]

1. Hang a picture of each on the wall.

2. put on blindfold

3. Throw dart at wall

4. Whichever one the dart hits nearest to, or hits, that's the one you get.

[GlassBomb]

I'm using a normal intel cpu fan at the moment.

 

That's probably the reason for its high temperatures

 

Pretty much any other CPU cooler will do a better job at cooling.

[LeFusion]

Dont get the Nepton. An air cooler would be better. I'd say stick with the MSI

 

My rig is in a study-room with my bed, apartment facing the main road up 6 stories, I can't close my door because it's a 4 panel glass sliding door.. It's kinda dusty which is why I'm thinking for liquid cooling my cpu. I'd still consider

[G27Racer_188]

My 2600K would still be able to work with these mobo?

 

No, it wouldn't work with new z97 motherboard. We're saying that there is no reason to replace you 2600k and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 motherboard, because there won't be that much of performance increase going to 4690k and Z97

[Laputacake]

My rig is in a study-room with my bed, apartment facing the main road up 6 stories, I can't close my door because it's a 4 panel glass sliding door.. It's kinda dusty which is why I'm thinking for liquid cooling my cpu. I'd still consider

An Air cooler would be quieter and perform better than that air cooler and AIO can still get dusty in the radiator

[GlassBomb]

No, it wouldn't work with new z97 motherboard. We're saying that there is no reason to replace you 2600k and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 motherboard, because there won't be that much of performance increase going to 4690k and Z97

 

Pretty much this. Grab yourself a new CPU cooler if CS:GO is the main game that you are playing, and you're looking for a cooler CPU. If you still want higher performance, then I would still change out the CPU cooler, and think about switching out the graphics card.

 

You could easily take the money you would have spent on a new platform to get something like a R9 280x or a GTX 960, along with a new cooler for your CPU.

[LeFusion]

No, it wouldn't work with new z97 motherboard. We're saying that there is no reason to replace you 2600k and Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 motherboard, because there won't be that much of performance increase going to 4690k and Z97

 

 

Pretty much this. Grab yourself a new CPU cooler if CS:GO is the main game that you are playing, and you're looking for a cooler CPU. If you still want higher performance, then I would still change out the CPU cooler, and think about switching out the graphics card.

 

You could easily take the money you would have spent on a new platform to get something like a R9 280x or a GTX 960, along with a new cooler for your CPU.

 

I forgot to mention that, My x16 PCIe slot might be faulty.. I'm currently using the 2nd slot which is a x8 if I'm not wrong. I'd have to shift it up to test again. And because I've yet to realize that I'd have to replace the thermal paste, my cpu reached 90°C and there's a slight mark on the CPU.. I wonder if that would be a problem, but If it's running fine now I guess not.

[RevoltTrain]

Honestly, I'd pick up a Z97S SLI Krait edition and Dark Rock Pro 3, but that's just me

[GlassBomb]

I forgot to mention that, My x16 PCIe slot might be faulty.. I'm currently using the 2nd slot which is a x8 if I'm not wrong. I'd have to shift it up to test again. And because I've yet to realize that I'd have to replace the thermal paste, my cpu reached 90°C and there's a slight mark on the CPU.. I wonder if that would be a problem, but If it's running fine now I guess not.

 

There is actually no performance hit if you use x8 PCIe over x16. And if you're getting a new cooler, then it's easy enough to switch it from your current platform to a new one if you do decide to switch over to Z97.