new MoBo selection help

[anthonyc813]

I suppose I am in the market for a brand new Z97 board for my i7 4970k... just need some help with choosing-

 

requirements-

ASUS Z97 ( or a compatible i7 4790k CPU board )

 

Features needed-

AI Suite 3

crystal sound/ great gaming music audio

ascetics ( window case and like to look inside at pretty lights and my cards )

 

my old board was the ROG Maximus Hero 7. I used maybe 10% of the features tbh.. I loved the AI Suite 3 overclock and fan/temp control so I want to stick with it since I am familiar. AI Suite 2 is not for me... (on back up sabertooth board dont like the lay out)

 

choices-

standard Z97

ROD Maximus Hero 7

Sabertooth Z97

Sabertooth Z97 with the armor

 

Why ASUS strictly?

Trust. Faith in product. Familiar with board and function/install. Fanboi.

 

As per Tech Syndicate youtube vidoe with JJ on the Z97 line, they state ALL boards do the same. Over clocking, SLi, AI Suite 3, and isolated sound. So get the one with the features you want. I do not need the WiFi board or one with HDMI port on it.

 

Should I get just the standard gold and black? the ROG that I know and used before? Or the Sabertooth since my old board/spare back up is the 990x r2 AMD board and even after sitting in a box for a year, it fired up with 0 issues- except it has a 8320 in it... ugh.

 

taking suggestions now before making a selection. thanks in advance 

[anthonyc813]

Bump