Z97 vs Z87?

[Jonesemon]

NCIX is having a deal now (a day after I order my new parts, no less) and they have the 4690k and Z97 bundled together for 379.99CAD. I bought the 4690k and the Z87-A for 445CAD after taxes. Would it be worth it to call them up and ask about being about to switch these out, or would it be better to stick with the Z87-A?

[dragoon20005]

since it cheaper by a lot

 

ask NCIX if they are able to swap the mobo

[ImBleu]

The Z97 is newer, so marginally better - but to be honest the difference between the two is basically nothing, its just 1 evolution in the Z-series.

[Jonesemon]

If I don't get to them in time (as I believe once the order is shipped they don't let you update it anymore), would it be a good idea to just buy this combo while the deal is on, and then once I receive the two items I initially bought just to return them unopened?

[Jonesemon]

The Z97 is newer, so marginally better - but to be honest the difference between the two is basically nothing, its just 1 evolution in the Z-series.

 

 

since it cheaper by a lot

 

ask NCIX if they are able to swap the mobo

If I don't get to them in time (as I believe once the order is shipped they don't let you update it anymore), would it be a good idea to just buy this combo while the deal is on, and then once I receive the two items I initially bought just to return them unopened?

[dragoon20005]

If I don't get to them in time (as I believe once the order is shipped they don't let you update it anymore), would it be a good idea to just buy this combo while the deal is on, and then once I receive the two items I initially bought just to return them unopened?

yea you could provided you return within the time frame for refund

[Faceman]

The bigger issue, is that Z87 and Devil's Canyon aren't compatible.  There is a good chance you won't be able to do anything with a Z87 and i5-4690k.  In order to even do the BIOS update, you need a Haswell CPU.

 

It might be in your best interest to switch to Z97 just for compatibility.

[Jonesemon]

The bigger issue, is that Z87 and Devil's Canyon aren't compatible.  There is a good chance you won't be able to do anything with a Z87 and i5-4690k.  In order to even do the BIOS update, you need a Haswell CPU.

 

It might be in your best interest to switch to Z97 just for compatibility.

Oh wtf! Everyone I asked said it was fine! Can you show me some stuff conclusively showing they're not compatible?

[Faceman]

Oh wtf! Everyone I asked said it was fine! Can you show me some stuff conclusively showing they're not compatible?

Just check this forum.  Tons of people make the same mistake.

 

Z87 only works with Devil's Canyon if the BIOS is updated to support it.  You cannot update the BIOS without a Haswell CPU.  Do you know someone who has a Haswell CPU?

[Jonesemon]

Just check this forum.  Tons of people make the same mistake.

 

Z87 only works with Devil's Canyon if the BIOS is updated to support it.  You cannot update the BIOS without a Haswell CPU.  Do you know someone who has a Haswell CPU?

I think so.. I think I'm just going to sort it out tomorrow with NCIX over the phone and figure something out.

If the order hasn't shipped yet, I'll get them to cancel the CPU and Mobo and just add the mentioned combo in the places, but if it has shipped I'll figure out if they'll for sure let me return the Z87 and CPU unopened in exchange for this combo. Worst case scenario, I have to borrow a Haswell from someone to just.. update the bios you say and then everything on the Z87 will be dandy?

[Faceman]

I think so.. I think I'm just going to sort it out tomorrow with NCIX over the phone and figure something out.

If the order hasn't shipped yet, I'll get them to cancel the CPU and Mobo and just add the mentioned combo in the places, but if it has shipped I'll figure out if they'll for sure let me return the Z87 and CPU unopened in exchange for this combo. Worst case scenario, I have to borrow a Haswell from someone to just.. update the bios you say and then everything on the Z87 will be dandy?

Yup.  Updating the BIOS is easy, just a matter of having a CPU that even lets you boot the system.

 

Some very high end Asus motherboards have this USB BIOS flash feature, unfortunately the Z87-A is not one of them.

 

Ask around to see if you have a friend with a Haswell CPU so you have a plan B in place.

[tomas710]

I have a 4790K and a Maximus VI Formula, and i never had any compatibility issue, now it's a very high end mobo, im aware of that, just saying i never had an issue using a 4790k with my z87 mobo

[ShaithEatery]

Just throwing my two cents in, I built a PC for a friend not too long ago and he ordered a 4790k and a z87 motherboard of the MSI flavor.  Everything worked just fine out of the box, so I could only assume that z87 motherboards can and do ship with the most updated bios version that supports Devil's Canyon, but obviously this could be just an MSI thing or an isolated incident in general.

[Jonesemon]

So I called ncix and they switched out a z97e for my z87. She said that wouldn't need updating, so I think all is well now.

[YellowDragon]

The bigger issue, is that Z87 and Devil's Canyon aren't compatible.  There is a good chance you won't be able to do anything with a Z87 and i5-4690k.  In order to even do the BIOS update, you need a Haswell CPU.

 

It might be in your best interest to switch to Z97 just for compatibility.

 

So I called ncix and they switched out a z97e for my z87. She said that wouldn't need updating, so I think all is well now.

 

Actually this is false, look at the CPU spec list for the motherboard you are looking at, alot of manufacturers added bios support for devils canyon.

[vembutech]

Have a look at this z87 and z97.

[i_build_nanosuits]

nevermind

[Faceman]

Actually this is false, look at the CPU spec list for the motherboard you are looking at, alot of manufacturers added bios support for devils canyon.

Of course there is BIOS support.  They are compatible--ONLY when the BIOS has been updated to support Devil's Canyon.  In order to even do the BIOS update, you need a Haswell CPU.

 

They are compatible, yes, but to get that compatibility, you need a Haswell CPU.  If you don't already have a Haswell CPU and ordered an "8" series motherboard with intention of using a Devil's Canyon CPU, chances are you are SoL. 

 

Monitoring these forums for the past 8 months or so since DC was released, we get tons of people who have bought 8 series motherboards with DC processors and are not able to do anything.  Their systems don't even post.  As seen above, there are some rare instances where it comes with a DC compatible BIOS out of the box, but these cases are extremely rare.  To avoid any risk and hassle, just buy compatible components from the start, lest you risk getting something that isn't compatible.

[Jonesemon]

Of course there is BIOS support.  They are compatible--ONLY when the BIOS has been updated to support Devil's Canyon.  In order to even do the BIOS update, you need a Haswell CPU.

 

They are compatible, yes, but to get that compatibility, you need a Haswell CPU.  If you don't already have a Haswell CPU and ordered an "8" series motherboard with intention of using a Devil's Canyon CPU, chances are you are SoL. 

 

Monitoring these forums for the past 8 months or so since DC was released, we get tons of people who have bought 8 series motherboards with DC processors and are not able to do anything.  Their systems don't even post.  As seen above, there are some rare instances where it comes with a DC compatible BIOS out of the box, but these cases are extremely rare.  To avoid any risk and hassle, just buy compatible components from the start, lest you risk getting something that isn't compatible.

Okay so since I'm not sure I'll have easy access to a Haswell CPU getting the Z97e was a good move, right? So confusing haha thanks for all the help though!