For the nerds/geeks/pc gamers

[calico]

Msi z97 gaming 9 or Z97 MPower Max and both have dual band ac wireless.  The gaming 9 is more but has I much superior audio set, however the MPower seems beefed up but is going to also require a much beefier psu.

Opinions please and please keep info limited to these 2 boards,  thanks!!!!!!

[Flan]

Most of the "improved audio" is from codec drivers/software that isn't the standard realtek trash. As far as power consumption, the difference is probably 10 watts at worst which can be made up with a well selected gpu or having a power supply that is 80plus gold or better certified. I would go with the MPower Max because it's cheaper and has an Intel ethernet chip.

[Hikari]

My close friend bought the gaming one and he actually decided to replace the sound with an actual sound blaster because he didn't think it was so good.

I looked at the A85x/A88x chipset mobos from MSI for my build (why no 990fx gaming board MSI?) and I decided to just buy the non gaming non mpower board. The thing is none of the stuff you get with the gaming board really matters that much to me and I do use my desktop for gaming.

[calico]

hmmm I have right now the z77 non gaming board, but I am wanting to step up to the devils canyon processor and the ability to run raid 5. I was going to go z87 and was considering asus but the z97 chipset came out and with it msi brought some very nice boards and me being an msi fan, well.....

I built my BF an a88x/fm2+ non gaming board shortly after I built mine, and it performs nicely, but I'm not a fan of amd.

I am getting either of these boards at a discount, but the M power is a lil bit cheaper, but if I go this route I am going to have to upgrade from my 750 w to something bigger as my current psu doesn't have enough plugs/power outlets for the m-power

I actually already had the gaming 9 purchased, but some shipping problems has let me re think the option again, I'll be honest the upgraded audio and some lighting/looks are attracting me to the 9 with the audio being the biggy, I have a sound blaster card on my current rig, but its software has some conflicts with the razer software and makes the razer software lock-up at times, at least it started with the locking up after installation of the card anyway, not consistently but it is annoying at times. My current Pc is fast and it currently is clocked at 4.2 and is an I7. which ever board I choose my intention is a 5ghz over clock..

[Lauren5]

Don't know much about desktop boards, I mostly would just buy the cheapest one that has 4 RAM slots with capability up to 32GB, and make sure it has the proper socket for the processor I want.
The motherboard is honestly the part I care least about, so, in my opinion, go for the cheaper.
If you do end up deciding you want better audio (I can never tell the difference between dedicated and integrated ) you can always get a sound card pretty cheap and add that on.

If you're concerned about the PSU, I don't think it should be terribly more if you have a decent one (I don't know your specs, but I doubt motherboards raise power requirements by more than 20-30 watts) so that's not too much to worry.

[calico]

my dilemma I have is that the MPower needs an extra 4 pin, and 6 power connector and my psu doesn't have it to spare requiring a psu upgrade, which sems to take away the better price factor in a hurry, The MPower however with its "extra" power connections would allow for a more stable overclock, and ability to go much further on the coverclock thanks to water cooling if I was so inclined to go to at a later date. hmmmm    right now the boards are at this price structure 289.99 -30.00 for the gaming 9  , and 259.99 -26.00 (10% sale)-30.00, the power supply ~ 200-229.00, I think I may go with the gaming board but still a little uncertain.