TOP 5 gaming motherboards for the Intel platform

Asus B85-PRO Gamer

The model will interest users who certainly want a product from a well-known and reliable manufacturer, but at the same time are not inclined to overpay for features that they are unlikely to use. The equipment of the model is not as rich as that of more expensive boards. And there are not so many differences from other low-cost Asus models on the B85 chipset, but focused on use in office and home PCs. Nevertheless, this board is positioned precisely as a gaming board — pay attention to its name and characteristic design.

The speed and stability of Asus with an entry-level B85 chipset at the level of higher-end boards. Nevertheless, the B85 has limited capabilities: it does not provide full overclocking, the board is devoid of a RAID controller and is designed to install only one graphics card (PCI-E 3.0 standard). Also, the B85-Pro Gamer does not support the highest-speed RAM and is only compatible with the fourth-generation Intel CPU (Haswell). The low-cost of the model was also manifested in the fact that it is equipped with the smallest number of USB ports 3 out of the five presented in the TOP 5. On its back panel there are only two high–speed USB 3.0 ports and four regular USB 2.0 ports.

Unlike low-cost analogues, the board is equipped with an advanced 8-channel audio chip SupremeFX. The audio subsystem is equipped with interference shielding, a system for improving the positioning of sound in games and a headphone signal amplifier (with a resistance of up to 300 ohms) and is not much inferior to more expensive models. Instead of the usual Realtek network controller, a more efficient and optimized for network games chip from Intel is used on the board. The manufacturer covered the heat-sensitive elements with impressive radiators, thereby giving the similarity of the B85-Pro Gamer with more expensive models.

The board received a convenient and functional UEFI BIOS interface with many settings. Asus proprietary technology for controlling the speed of rotation of coolers is useful for reducing noise from the system unit. But it is effective only if the installed coolers support the adjustment of the rotation speed.

In general, this motherboard can be recommended to economical fans of the Asus brand. Let's say for the same money you can buy a model from another manufacturer with a more modern chipset, but many prefer Asus boards because of the brand, design, customization options and bonuses in the form of an improved sound card.

ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Performance

The board from ASRock compares favorably with a reasonable price and fairly good equipment , as well as an almost complete lack of functions that are unlikely to find use in an ordinary game lover. Paired with a Core i5 processor for Socket 1150, you will get an excellent platform for a mid- or entry-level gaming PC. However, you can also build a car with uncompromising power, if you limit yourself to installing one graphics card. Since ASRock has only one PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot. Nevertheless, there is another PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot and, for example, in the process of modernization, it is still possible to create a Crossfire system from two cards.

Fatal1ty H97 Performance is made in the ATX form factor, and all heat-sensitive elements on the board are covered with massive aluminium radiators. However, since most of the system logic was inside the processor, radiators on different elements serve partly to give the device an impressive appearance. This board, like others in the TOP 5, has a bright design with black and red coloring.

Like other models in our selection, the board received an advanced audio chip and a network controller. The Realtek ALC1150 hardware codec is responsible for sound processing, supplemented with a package of technologies to improve the sound and a headphone amplifier. Network capabilities are represented by an Intel controller, which takes up little CPU resources during operation. The word Fatal1ty in the name of the model hints that a famous esports player with this nickname participated in its development. According to the manufacturer, the mouse port was configured taking into account the experience of Fatal1ty (for example, the polling frequency was raised to 500 Hz), which fans of Battlefield and Call of Duty shooters will appreciate.

Two independent BIOS chips are installed on the board, which makes it easier to restore the system's operability in case of an unsuccessful setup. Functionally, the UEFI BIOS is identical to those used in the more expensive ASRock models. Formally, the chipset does not support CPU overclocking, but experimenting with the BIOS settings of the board, it is quite possible to give the PC additional acceleration.

The board has an "older brother" model ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Killer, which is not much more expensive, but is equipped with an M.2 port for compact SSD drives and support for a high-speed SATA Express interface. Users planning to use an SSD drive should pay attention to this model.

MSI Z97M GAMING

Compact form factor motherboards have shown that gaming PCs can be both performant and small in size. If you do not want to assemble a large system unit with a lot of fans, you should pay attention to this compact board from MSI. This model of the micro-ATX standard size is almost as well equipped as full-size models.

MSI is based on the Intel Z97 chipset and is positioned as a model for fans of playing and overclocking their computer. And not only experienced users can do this. After all, for automatic overclocking, you can use the proprietary Genie 4 OS function, which allows you to speed up the processor, memory and graphics card at the same time at the touch of a button.

The "motherboard" is made using components of the Military Class 4 standard, which ensure stable and durable operation even at elevated temperatures in the case. However, overclocking should be treated responsibly, because in small-sized buildings the temperature is always higher than in conventional ones. The design of the board radiators does not allow the use of all coolers for blowing the processor, and the size of the case does not always allow the use of "tower" cooling systems.

The motherboard is compatible with modern high-speed interfaces, including the M.2 port for SSD drives. There was room on the board for six SATA 3 ports and the same number of USB 3.0 ports. Special gaming ports are provided for connecting gaming peripherals – one PS/2 and two USB 2.0 with improved mouse response and gold–plated contacts for durability.

The purpose of the MSI Z97M GAMING is emphasized by an advanced sound subsystem based on the 8-channel Realtek ALC1150 codec with additional shielding and interference protection. Moreover, a separate amplifier is provided for headphones, which handles even with headphones with a resistance of up to 600 ohms like Sennheiser HD 600. And the Killer E2200 special network adapter prevents very undesirable "lags" in network games. Finally, we note that the board is ready to install SteamOS out of the box.

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming G1

The top motherboard for Intel-based gaming computers made by Gigabyte is based on the Z97 chipset. Therefore, it is suitable for overclocking Intel processors with unlocked multipliers, for example, Intel Core i5-4690K and Core i7-4790K. This is confirmed by the reviewers of IT sites like www.3dnews.ru . By the way, for those who like experiments, a full set of features has been prepared in the form of hardware power control buttons, as well as two independent BIOS chips that facilitate booting after an unsuccessful overclocking or system configuration.

The model is ready to work in difficult temperature conditions, including in overclocking mode. Seven fans can be connected to the board. There is also a special slot for connecting a second fan for the purpose of additional cooling of the processor. The new design of radiators on the board itself provides better heat dissipation, the special shape does not interfere with the installation of other components. In addition, the smoothed corners of the radiators cannot be accidentally injured during the assembly or modernization of the system.

However, the layout of the board is not without nuances – the hardware power buttons and the character display are placed close to the memory slots, and access to them may be limited if modules with an advanced cooling system are used, such as Kingston HyperX Cooling or other similar solutions.

The model is equipped with four PCI Express slots and additional slots for powering the video subsystem, which makes the GA-Z97X-Gaming G1 board an excellent solution for a gaming computer with two video cards. Some gamers initially assemble a system with one graphics card, and then install a second graphics card during the modernization process. With Gigabyte, this option is also possible.

Asus Maximus VII Formula

The Maximus VII Formula motherboard is a flagship product combining uncompromising equipment with innovative Asus developments. The model belongs to the ROG (Republic of Gamers) line and is aimed at fans of computer games and overclocking.

Maximus has received exhaustive equipment, and for some users even redundant. So, >the board is equipped with all modern high-speed interfaces including mini PCI-E and SATA Express M.2 ports for connecting compact solid-state drives and even the ability to connect cards with a Thunderbolt interface. The abundance of components affected its size – the "motherboard" corresponds to the EATX form factor, accordingly, care must be taken to ensure that the case is spacious and meets this specification (for example, in terms of dimensions and purpose, Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced.

For enthusiasts who decide to overclock the system, there is a full set of functions for convenient and safe overclocking. The power and reset buttons are located on the board, and the ROG Connect port will allow you to control the process using a laptop or a mobile gadget using Bluestooth. For better results and stable operation the board received a hybrid cooling system CrossChill Copper. Its main feature is compatibility with both conventional air and water cooling, and, in this case, the temperature of the components of the board is on average 23 degrees lower than when using fans.

Fans of online games of games will be pleased with the network part of this model: the controller from Intel reduces the load on the processor, and the modified network port with LANguard technology is distinguished by faster data transfer and optimization for games. The music subsystem of the board is as uncompromising as the other components. The model is equipped with an 8-channel HD codec SupremeFX and a built-in headphone amplifier with support for intelligent sound tuning. In general, the board has no weaknesses and there are many advantages, but the cost is high even for gaming products.