help - h97 gamer pro OR z97

[atiq98]

hey all,

my friend has bought a intel 4690 (non k-series) cpu, he does not intend on overclocking. And was wondering if he should buy a h97 gamer pro or z97-k motherboard, as they are the same price from where he's purchasing them? 

thanks in advance

EDIT: these are the exact boards
http://www.msy.com.au/nsw/auburn/pc-components/13689-asus-z97-k-intel-z97-s1150-4xddr3-2xpciex16-hdmi-dvi-d-sub-glan-atx-motherboard.html
http://www.msy.com.au/nsw/auburn/pc-components/14511-asus-h97-pro-gamer-intel-h97-s1150-4xddr3-2xpciex16-hdmi-dvi-d-sub-intel-glan-atx-motherboard.html

[Blueprint]

If they're the same price then you might as well go for the Z-97 board. Chances are it will have more features and if he upgrades to a unlocked CPU then the option is there. 

[Oshino Shinobu]

If they're the same price, he may as well go for Z97. They tend to be built a bit better. 

[shirokado]

For the price between a cheap z97 and a "gamer" h97, I'd go with the h97. Since it's an expensive h97 vs cheap z97, h97 should be built a bit better.

[shirokado]

If they're the same price, he may as well go for Z97. They tend to be built a bit better. 

This is a well built h97 board vs a cheap z97, the h97 is probably built better at such a low price.

[Oshino Shinobu]

This is a well built h97 board vs a cheap z97, the h97 is probably built better at such a low price.

He hasn't mentioned the Z97 board, or the actual price. It could be a very expensive H97 board, and a reasonably priced Z97 board. 

 

The power delivery on a Z97 is going to be better. While not particularly important for his CPU, it can increase stability, especially if he overclocks later on. There's also the fact that (maybe) the Z97 will support SLI, which could be useful at some point. 

[shirokado]

He hasn't mentioned the Z97 board, or the actual price. It could be a very expensive H97 board, and a reasonably priced Z97 board. 

 

The power delivery on a Z97 is going to be better. While not particularly important for his CPU, it can increase stability, especially if he overclocks later on. There's also the fact that (maybe) the Z97 will support SLI, which could be useful at some point. 

He did mention the z97 board

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97K/

 

most people who go "will overclock later" never end up overclocking. he doesn't have plans to overclock, so might as well get the h97 gamer. h97 gamer looks better(imo) and he's not getting any benefit from going with the z97 in this case.