Consider your needs and the components you plan to use before deciding.
Consider your needs and the components you plan to use before deciding.
Hey everyone, I'm bringing up some clear and a bit annoying questions. Am I getting a good deal on the Z790 motherboard? I've been eyeing the MSI B760 gaming Plus mATX for a while, but now I'm thinking about the Gigabyte Z790. It's about an 80 USD increase, but it adds an extra M2 slot instead of a PCIe x1 slot, which might mean better build quality and PCIe 5 support. However, I don't really plan to overclock it—I just don't want that feature. Right now, most mATX boards skip the Z chipset, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something or just overcomplicating things. My current setup includes: a PCPartPicker list, an Intel Core i7-14700K at 3.4 GHz, a Thermalright Phantom Spirit cooler, the Gigabyte Z790 M.A.R.T. AORUS ELITE AX ICE, 32 GB DDR5 memory, a Crucial T500 M.2-2280 with PCIe 4.0, and an Asus TUF GAMING RTX 4080 graphics card. I'm using Corsair RM850x power supply, which is 850W and certified for 80+ Gold. What do you all think?
Are you looking for additional options? Yes, an 80 dollar boost is a reasonable price compared to purchasing something later.
The Z chips provide more than just overclocking capabilities. They also offer additional features that can enhance your experience, though overclocking remains a key benefit for you.
H770 and Z790 boards will offer additional features such as extra fan headers, more USB and RGB connectors, and minor quality-of-life enhancements. You might also find boards with improved built-in sound chips, though such details may go unnoticed. Personally, I haven’t noticed the presence of a low-cost sound chip. An expensive B760 or H770 could be more affordable than a Z790, but it might only lack overclocking capabilities.
The mATX design stems from its position as a smaller sibling to motherboard sizes. It's only about 2.5 inches longer than a typical ATX, which means cases remain relatively compact—unless you're targeting a compact build. This size makes it less competitive for expansion, so most users opt for mITX instead. The ~3-inch reduction in PCB space usually leads to fewer upgrade possibilities, which is why premium Z-series boards tend to stick with them. However, exceptions exist; the X670E Gene offers a high-end mATX option with a solid chipset, though it's still an outlier. The choice isn't about performance limitations but practicality—Z-series boards usually favor larger form factors, while mATX is reserved for cost-sensitive builds where extra space isn't a priority.
Consider waiting a month before purchasing the Ryzen 9000. Then keep an eye on the 14700K price drop shortly after it launches.