Need help deciding on what motherboard to get. I can't figure out why these are priced so differently.

[AtomicusRoxon]

Hey all, I'm trying to build an RGB gaming rig, and the budget is around $2k for the comp. This is my first build.

I'm probably either going with 3 1440p monitors or 2 4k.

I'm having trouble figuring out what the exact differences are between certain boards and why there are such huge cost differences.

Here's an example of 3 of them:

-ASUS Z270 ROG MAXIMUS IX FORMULA LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard: 389.99 http://www.microcenter.com/product/472950/Z270_ROG_MAXIMUS_IX_FORMULA_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

-ASUS Z270 ROG MAXIMUS IX HERO LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard: 224.99 http://www.microcenter.com/product/472951/Z270_ROG_MAXIMUS_IX_HERO_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

-ASUS ROG STRIX Z270E GAMING LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard: 199.99 http://www.microcenter.com/product/473030/ROG_STRIX_Z270E_GAMING_LGA_1151_ATX_Intel_Motherboard

I can see a few differences in the specs, but can't really tell what the major difference is and which one I should buy. Any help would be huge. Thanks!

[SPG]

The Forumla is more expensive mainly because it has a waterblock on it to cool the parts of the motherboard, I'm sure it has more features, but that's the main reason why it costs more. If you don't plan on doing a custom water cooling loop, the extra cost probably isn't worth it to you.

The Hero is more expensive than the gaming because it has more capacitors and vrms. Essentially is just means it will probably overclock your CPU better without getting too much heat, I'd personally go with the hero because it's only $25 more the the gaming.

 

(I'm sure there are more glaring differences, but these are the ones that stood out to me the most)

[Vigilante505]

They're all good just get whatever you can afford. I personally recommend the Hero. Great boards.

[HKZeroFive]

Things such as bling, features and VRM-specs play into the price.

 

The real question is why are you investing into the "outdated" Kaby Lake platform when Coffee Lake exists?

[DailyProcrastinator]

TBH if you don't really know the exact feature differences the best option will be the Asus ROG Strix Z270e, as it is pretty much the same as the other two minus some styling and some connectors/headers. Also, the number of monitors you want to run at a certain resolution depends on your GPU, these motherboards will all be the same as far as that goes.

 

Important features all 3 of these motherboards have:

-m.2 support

-SLI and Crossfire support

-Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM at every speed between 2133MHz-3866MHz

-Overclocking support

-Raid 0,1,5,10 support

-RGB headers if that's your thing 

-Multiple sata ports

-USB type-c

-If you want built-in Wi-Fi the ROG Maximus IX Hero DOES NOT have it, the other 2 do.

 

Otherwise, the more expensive board will have better rear IO so more USB connectors of all types vs the cheaper one. Same goes for motherboard connectors. You get more 'accessories' on more expensive motherboards like more thermal sensor headers, more fan headers, and more RGB headers. I'm sure the build quality is better on the more expensive board but if it was me I would say get the Asus ROG Strix Z270e. It's a super loaded board and will functionally be just as good as the Maximus IX Formula.

 

[AtomicusRoxon]

1 minute ago, HKZeroFive said:

Things such as bling, features and VRM-specs play into the price.

 

The real question is why are you investing into the "outdated" Kaby Lake platform when Coffee Lake exists?

Coffee Lake is really hard to find right now, both in terms of an 8700k and z370. Right now this is going to be less expensive and fits the need I'm looking for. Everything on coffee lake seems overpriced or sold out, and who knows how long it'll actually take to get in stock where I can find it.

[HKZeroFive]

2 minutes ago, AtomicusRoxon said:

Coffee Lake is really hard to find right now, both in terms of an 8700k and z370. Right now this is going to be less expensive and fits the need I'm looking for. Everything on coffee lake seems overpriced or sold out, and who knows how long it'll actually take to get in stock where I can find it.

I would still hold out for Coffee Lake anyway. Buying the i7-7700K is simply a bad investment at this point of time... not to mention that you're buying into a dead platform.

 

For a $2K PC, a i7-8700K should be well within your budget's parameters.

[AtomicusRoxon]

1 minute ago, JM21 said:

TBH if you don't really know the exact feature differences the best option will be the Asus ROG Strix Z270e, as it is pretty much the same as the other two minus some styling and some connectors/headers. Also, the number of monitors you want to run at a certain resolution depends on your GPU, these motherboards will all be the same as far as that goes.

 

Important features all 3 of these motherboards have:

-m.2 support

-SLI and Crossfire support

-Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM at every speed between 2133MHz-3866MHz

-Overclocking support

-Raid 0,1,5,10 support

-RGB headers if that's your thing 

-Multiple sata ports

-USB type-c

-If you want built-in Wi-Fi the ROG Maximus IX Hero DOES NOT have it, the other 2 do.

 

Otherwise, the more expensive board will have better rear IO so more USB connectors of all types vs the cheaper one. Same goes for motherboard connectors. You get more 'accessories' on more expensive motherboards like more thermal sensor headers, more fan headers, and more RGB headers. I'm sure the build quality is better on the more expensive board but if it was me I would say get the Asus ROG Strix Z270e. It's a super loaded board and will functionally be just as good as the Maximus IX Formula.

 

Thank you! This was super helpful! I'm definitely a beginner so I'm trying to learn all that I can. Sounds like the one is just way over anything I'd want or need, buut do you think what SPG said about capacitors and vrm is right minded?

[DailyProcrastinator]

1 minute ago, AtomicusRoxon said:

Thank you! This was super helpful! I'm definitely a beginner so I'm trying to learn all that I can. Sounds like the one is just way over anything I'd want or need, buut do you think what SPG said about capacitors and vrm is right minded?

Yeah, things like capacitor and VRM quality improve on more expensive motherboards vs cheaper ones. That being said I have had probably 7 Asus motherboards over the past 3 years as I am always upgrading systems. And not once did I have any issues even on their cheaper motherboards. 

 

To me the two options that make sense are the Maximus IX Hero, or the the Strix Z270E. Basically, if you need Wi-Fi get the Strix Z270E, if you don't maybe still get if you want to budget yourself, but if that's not the issue get the Maximus IX Hero.