Apply sticker to the original label name (Z97-AR)
Apply sticker to the original label name (Z97-AR)
I recently acquired a Z97-AR and observed that the model name appears on a black sticker placed over the printed name on the PCB. The application wasn't precise, omitting part of the original name—possibly Z97-PRO. It seems most Z97-AR boards have this sticker, while few don’t. Could the original name just be a misprint? It appears only the Z97-A matches the same PCB layout, and PRO is nowhere near identical.
If the R stands for a concept like RAID, the main distinction between A and AR likely comes from the BIOS settings. If they lacked AR boards during production, they might have simply re-flashed A ones. It only justifies a silk screen if there are tangible board differences, like missing chips in earlier versions. I’d probably attempt to remove it to check the original design, but avoid metal or sharp tools to prevent damage—fingernails should be safe.
It seems like this board might be a simplified version of the original Z97-A. There are plenty of reviews calling it a budget gaming setup, so it’s possible. It’s likely that ASUS produced many stripped-down versions for OEM use, then resold them under the Z97-AR name at a lower price. A $110 board in 2014–2015 was quite affordable back then. My Z97-A with USB 3.1 cost around $150, which makes it look like a good value.