Z97 and Z87 Difference
Intel has released its new chipset, the Z97 which has left many people wondering what is new and the difference between the new platform and old Z87 platform, we explain the ins and outs and discuss if its worth rushing out to by a new 9 series motherboard. Lets start with a feature table;
| Feature | Z87 | Z97 |
| Socket Type | 1150 | 1150 |
| Native SATA 6GB Ports | 6 | 6 |
| Ram Speed | 1600Mhz | 1600Mhz |
| M.2 Support | Common | Uncommon |
| SATA Express Support | Common | No |
| CPU Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| Intel 4th Generation CPU Support | Yes | Yes |
| Intel 5th Generation CPU support | Yes (with Bios upgrade) | Yes |
| Intel device protection with boot guard technology | No | Yes |
| Intel Rapid Storage technology | No | Yes |
| RAM Type | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Max PCI-Express 3.0 lanes | 16x | 16x |
Socket Type and CPU Support
In the past a new chipset introduced a new socket type, however the Z87 and Z97 platform now share the same socket type, LGA1150. 1150 pins in the same please means that the new Z97 chipset motherboards will support both the current Intel 4th Generation Processors as well as the New 5th generation «Haswell refresh» CPU’s so you wont need to run out and buy a new CPU for your custom PC if you upgrade your motherboard. If you own a Z97 motherboard you can also fit a 4th generation CPU.
Native SATA 6GBs ports
Both Z87 and Z97 natively support the same amount of 6GBs SATA ports, 6 to be exact. Nothing new, and nothing exciting however it is worth bearing in mind some board partners such as Asus or Gigabyte may add more ports via a 3rd party controller.
Both Support a native RAM speed of 1600Mhz and of DDR3 technology. Zero change here.
M.2 Support
This is probably the biggest difference that will matter the most to potential new Z97 users. Z97 includes M.2 port support, and I say «support» as it will not be 100% native to every motherboard out there as some board partners may not wish to add M.2 ports to their motherboards but given Intel make the technology available this type of new port is going to be very common ground especially as there are some M.2 storage devices on the market right now. Some higher end Z87 motherboards do have M.2 ports but was only found in rare cases so the tech has been around a while but expect to see much more of it now.
MSATA Support
Z97 sees the new addition for support for MSATA ports. Z87 did not have this so its completely new ground. Exactly how common it will be will be up to the motherboard partners and given the manufacturing cost of implementing MSATA it will be pretty common ground. The problem comes where currently there are no MSATA devices on the market (expect this to change over the coming months after offical lanch on 8/5/14) so they are kind useless right now and effectively MSATA is the same kind of product as M.2 — A faster interface for fast storage devices such as uber speed SSD’s so if you use one tech (unless you have more than one M.2 or MSATA device) your not going to use the other.
CPU Overclocking
Both chipsets will allow cpu overclocking.
Conclusion
There is not much that is different between the two chipsets so if you have an existing custom or gaming PC I recommend you don’t run out the door trying to get your hands on a new Z97 motherboard as the new features are not going to be worth it to 99% of people. The biggest difference with this update will come from the CPU’s — 4th generation Vs 5th Generation rather than a Z87 VsZ97 as both CPU generations are both forward and backward compatible.
If you are buying or building a new custom computer then given the small price difference between the two, a Z97 based motherboard should be your weapon of choice as it will give you that little bit more future proofing. you never know, MSATA may become the ‘norm’ and without Z97 in your life you will struggle to adapt to the ever changing industry.
Asus Gryphon Z87 vs Asus Gryphon Z97
Почему Asus Gryphon Z87 лучше чем Asus Gryphon Z97?
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Почему Asus Gryphon Z97 лучше чем Asus Gryphon Z87?
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Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
Asus ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi
Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Elite AX
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi
Asus ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme
Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
MSI Pro Z790-A WiFi DDR4
MSI Pro Z790-P DDR4
Asus ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi
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MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk
MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus
Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Elite AX
Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Master
Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi
Asus ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi
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Asus Gryphon Z87
Asus Gryphon Z97
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Asus Z97 vs. z87 ? Confused
Z97 has SATA Express, and M.2 capabilities, other than that, its is identical to the Z87 chipset. They are both socket LGA1150. However, if starting a new build I would definitely go with a Z97 board, because next years Broadwell parts will drop right into to a Z97 board, and not a Z87 (possibly with a BIOS flash a Z87 could work, but I wouldn’t count on it).
And if youre getting a Z97 board, you should wait about a month for the i7 4790k (Devil’s Canyon) processor. Haswell and even the Haswell refresh run a little hot, including your pick of the i7 4770. The i7 4790k is supposed to address this heat issue and have better TIM, and lower temps.
I’d go for a i7 4790k on a Z97 board. No brainer for a new build.
FunkyFeatures
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- May 18, 2014
- #2
hapkiman
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- May 18, 2014
- Solution
- #3
Z97 has SATA Express, and M.2 capabilities, other than that, its is identical to the Z87 chipset. They are both socket LGA1150. However, if starting a new build I would definitely go with a Z97 board, because next years Broadwell parts will drop right into to a Z97 board, and not a Z87 (possibly with a BIOS flash a Z87 could work, but I wouldn’t count on it).
And if youre getting a Z97 board, you should wait about a month for the i7 4790k (Devil’s Canyon) processor. Haswell and even the Haswell refresh run a little hot, including your pick of the i7 4770. The i7 4790k is supposed to address this heat issue and have better TIM, and lower temps.
I’d go for a i7 4790k on a Z97 board. No brainer for a new build.
rae888
Honorable
- May 19, 2014
- #4
[quotemsg=13319427,0,501854]Z97 has SATA Express, and M.2 capabilities, other than that, its is identical to the Z87 chipset. They are both socket LGA1150. However, if starting a new build I would definitely go with a Z97 board, because next years Broadwell parts will drop right into to a Z97 board, and not a Z87 (possibly with a BIOS flash a Z87 could work, but I wouldn’t count on it).
And if youre getting a Z97 board, you should wait about a month for the i7 4790k (Devil’s Canyon) processor. Haswell and even the Haswell refresh run a little hot, including your pick of the i7 4770. The i7 4790k is supposed to address this heat issue and have better TIM, and lower temps.
I’d go for a i7 4790k on a Z97 board. No brainer for a new build.
Thanks Much!! I will wait for the new processor. Seems I have to keep waiting for one thing or another. Guess another month won’t hurt.
BerganTead1
Reputable
- May 19, 2014
- #5
I just bought the ASUS Maximus VII Hero http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2MASE4. Not only does the Z97 chipset support the next generation of CPU’s but the board also supports M.2 which has 10GB bandwidth for SSD’s and is smaller than mSATA.
This board is amazing and having the ability to upgrade to new generations of CPU’s is a nice option.
Tradesman1
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- May 19, 2014
- #6
hapkiman
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- May 19, 2014
- #7
rae888
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- May 20, 2014
- #8
[quotemsg=13324402,0,501854]I’m betting that i5 4690k (and the i7 4790k) will hit 5Ghz with ease- unless Intel is full of it. You could never hit 5GHz on a reg. Haswell 4770k unless you used insane/dangerous voltage. 4.6 is really good on a 4770k. I’m surprised to see that. You must have found a lucky part.[/quotemsg]
What is difference between "i5 4690k (and the i7 4790k) " ?
FunkyFeatures
Reputable
- May 20, 2014
- #9
i5 — 4 cores, 4 threads.
i7 — 4 cores, 8 threads.
Threads are virtual cores, so windows will see the i7 as a 8 core and the i5 as a 4 core
rae888
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- May 20, 2014
- #10
Tradesman1
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- May 20, 2014
- #11
BerganTead1
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- May 20, 2014
- #12
rae888
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- Jun 5, 2014
- #13
[quotemsg=13327385,0,1333705]Yes, guessing 1st part of June or so[/quotemsg]
[strike]Hi : Is the i7 4790k out yet?[/strike] I just saw it on Amazon. I’m confused as they have 2 different ones:
BX80646I74790S and BX80646I74790.
What is the difference?
BerganTead1
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- Jun 5, 2014
- #14
jdcranke07
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- Dec 3, 2014
- #15
Hey guys and gals,
I know this is a slightly older thread, but needed to give an update. Unfortunately, it is not about the chipsets, but rather towards the CPUs.
The 4790K is a beast of a 4 core CPU for sure. However, if you haven’t heard, the heating issues were not fixed with this processor. It can easily reach 80-90’C when overlocked and that is with an EK Supremacy full nickel WB on it. Granted that is at 4.7Ghz and any higher at 100% load it would reach the before said temps. I have been experiencing about 80’C under 100% load, but I never use that much processing and with my mobo it is a rock solid OC. Also this processor, from what I’ve seen/read and experienced myself, will not hit 5Ghz unless you are using LN2 cooling or live in a really cold place (highly doubt the latter). So, overall it is a great CPU and easily beat out my previous AMD FX-8350 (OC’d @ 4.6Ghz), but it runs hot under high loads. Normal use and gaming you will see it hit about 30-50’C with water loop. If you have questions about my setup, just hit me up or look at my profile.
Z87 vs. Z97
I know this is probably considered only tangentially a tech support question, so please feel free to delete this thread if it doesn’t belong.
That being said, I’m having real trouble deciding between purchasing an Asrock Z87 or Z97 board, due to the newness of the Z97s. The new boards are getting wonderful reviews, but most reviewers have owned them less than a month. My question is, do any of the new models (specifically, Pro4, Extreme3/4 or Fatal1ty series) have any major issues I should be aware of, or would it be better to stick to the Z87 models for now?
Thank you in advance, and again, apologies if this topic doesn’t belong here.
- Join Date: Jun 2014
- Posts: 143
Mobos with the Z97 (and H97) chip set are already available since April or May 2014, and by now there are no known issues with this chip set. You can consider the Z97 as a new stepping (=improved version) of the Z87, the differences between them are very small.
Some years ago, when the series 6 chip set (P67, H67 etc.) came out, just 4 weeks later a big issue was found. The sata 2 ports of this chip set decreased in performance rapidly due to a design error. Intel replaced ALL mobos already sold.
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- Join Date: Nov 2013
- Posts: 163
If it helps any I just went Z97 on 2 upgrades and I’m very happy with them.
I was coming from P67 and going Z77 then decided to up to Z97 on the last 2, apart from the CPU cost (which you will not suffer) I have 0 complaints about Z97-Extreme4.
For me once I go LGA 1150 why not Z97?
Time up 6 weeks and 2 weeks, so outside you life criteria. Sorry.
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- Join Date: Jun 2012
- Posts: 4813
The OP seems to be asking about specific models of boards and potential problems, not problems with the chipset itself.
As said above, Z87 and Z97 boards use the same processors, so if there were problems with the Z87 platform, it would be fixed in Z97.
One difference between the two chipsets is only Z97 boards will be compatible with Broadwell processors, which we should see some time this year (delayed recently.)
If a board has problems, they are normally caused by a specific flaw farther down the hardware chain than the chipset. Or the problem is caused by a design flaw solely caused by the board manufacture. Those normally are obvious a few months after launch. Read reviews at Newegg. ONLY to look for trends of specific problems that may reveal true flaws in a board. I must be careful with that statement.
How often do we see mother board reviews that reveal major flaws in the product? We don’t, because either poor products are not reviewed, or reviews of poor products are withheld by the request of the manufacture. How is a reviewer to know if a product is flawed by using only one or two examples? As usual, the situation is more complex than it appears to be.