Z97 reference board?

[draculr]

Hey guys, this might be a weird question.

 

I'm looking at getting a Z97/4790k system and it seems as though the intel chipset provides everything I need in the board in terms of USB3/SATA3 support etc. Which is a first!

 

For a change I'm looking for a motherboard that doesn't add any extra third party controllers and just implements everything as close to the intel reference spec as possible. It might sound OCD but I feel that I'll get a more stable system (it's going to be a photography workstation) if there is no extra crap thrown in

 

Are there any - preferably Asus - Z97 boards that just implement the features of the chipset? It's hard to tell with all the marketing surrounding these boards.

 

[Derykey]

Maximus VII Hero, I hear those are good boards, but i have it different Board then i mentioned 

[FruitBasketSilex]

Maximus VII Hero, I hear those are good boards, but i have it different Board then i mentioned

Excuse me sir, did you read the question? Because that sure deserves a slap in the head.

[Derykey]

Excuse me sir, did you read the question? Because that sure deserves a slap in the head.

Ok........ Jeez, Dont gotta go so rough.

[FruitBasketSilex]

Ok........ Jeez, Dont gotta go so rough.

He asks for a board that uses mostly just Intel chip set features, and you respond by throwing out a suggestion for an overpriced board packed with non chip set features.

@op probably something around z97-c/e/other letters or the z97 PC mate from MSI, look into them.

[W-L]

Hey guys, this might be a weird question.

I'm looking at getting a Z97/4790k system and it seems as though the intel chipset provides everything I need in the board in terms of USB3/SATA3 support etc. Which is a first!

For a change I'm looking for a motherboard that doesn't add any extra third party controllers and just implements everything as close to the intel reference spec as possible. It might sound OCD but I feel that I'll get a more stable system (it's going to be a photography workstation) if there is no extra crap thrown in

Are there any - preferably Asus - Z97 boards that just implement the features of the chipset? It's hard to tell with all the marketing surrounding these boards.

 

There are some, the Z97-A from Asus doesn't use any third party controllers for USB or Sata:

http://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/Z97A/specifications/

 

If your looking for reliability and overall compatibility however going with a workstation board like the Z97-WS would be a better choice they are tested more compared to regular boards to ensure compatibility with different expansion cards.

[draculr]

He asks for a board that uses mostly just Intel chip set features, and you respond by throwing out a suggestion for an overpriced board packed with non chip set features.

@op probably something around z97-c/e/other letters or the z97 PC mate from MSI, look into them.

 

That Z97-C seems like it might be the way to go. Even the LAN is Intel. Some of the other boards implement a realtek LAN chip.

 

@W-L the WS board is probably a bit too much for me. I am hoping for reliability through simplicity

[Suffokation]

Honestly, for reliability, this is your best bet for 100% reliability.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-WS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($273.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $273.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 23:07 EDT-0400

[FruitBasketSilex]

That Z97-C seems like it might be the way to go. Even the LAN is Intel. Some of the other boards implement a realtek LAN chip.

@W-L the WS board is probably a bit too much for me. I am hoping for reliability through simplicity

Yay, I was helpful!

[draculr]

 

Honestly, for reliability, this is your best bet for 100% reliability.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

Motherboard: Asus Z97-WS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($273.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $273.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 23:07 EDT-0400

 

 

Unfortunately the WS board is around the $600 mark in Australia and the Z97C/Z97A boards are around $200.

[Suffokation]

Unfortunately the WS board is around the $600 mark in Australia and the Z97C/Z97A boards are around $200.

Ahh. I'm aussie too. I know the struggle.

[Dabombinable]

Unfortunately the WS board is around the $600 mark in Australia and the Z97C/Z97A boards are around $200.

I'm looking, but most manufactures add at least a non Intel Ethernet port. TBH the last time there were any boards that could actually be called reference were Intel's old slot 1 motherboards (around 1995), and I have to say reliability and quality is very high (I've got one working still), unfortunately Intel decided that they didn't make enough from motherboard sales, so its hard to find an equivalent.