Friday, May 2nd 2014
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EVGA Unveils Its Z97-Based Motherboards
EVGA has today officially announced its first creations powered by Intel's Z97 chipset, the Z97 Classified (E-ATX), Z97 FTW (ATX) and Z97 Stinger Core3D (Mini-ITX) LGA1150 motherboards.
Priced at $199.99, the compact Z97 Stinger Core3D features a 10-layer PCB, 6-phase PWM, two DDR3-2666 memory slots, four SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1 channel audio (powered by a Creative Sound Core3D processor), four USB 3.0 connectors, one eSATA port, and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.The Z97 FTW also costs $199.99 and boasts a 6-phase PWM but it comes with four PCI-Express x16 slots, eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, four DDR3 memory slots, 7.1-channel audio (no Creative chip on this one, you get a Realtek ALC889), and an M.2 connector. The board also packs Intel Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, Dual BIOS, PCI-E disable switches, plus voltage read points.As for the Z97 Classified, it costs $379.99 and has an 8-phase PWN, an 8-layer PCB, four memory slots, eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports (SATA Express is a no-show on EVGA's first wave of boards), five PCI-Express x16 slots, dual Intel Gigabit NIC, one mSATA/mPCIe slot, 5.1-channel Creative Sound Core3D audio, four USB 3.0 ports, dual mini DisplayPort connectors, and Triple BIOS. All three boards include a debug LED, Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons, and support for LucidLogix's Virtu MVP 2.0.The Z97 FTW and Z97 Classified are available for pre-order.
Priced at $199.99, the compact Z97 Stinger Core3D features a 10-layer PCB, 6-phase PWM, two DDR3-2666 memory slots, four SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1 channel audio (powered by a Creative Sound Core3D processor), four USB 3.0 connectors, one eSATA port, and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.The Z97 FTW also costs $199.99 and boasts a 6-phase PWM but it comes with four PCI-Express x16 slots, eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, four DDR3 memory slots, 7.1-channel audio (no Creative chip on this one, you get a Realtek ALC889), and an M.2 connector. The board also packs Intel Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, Dual BIOS, PCI-E disable switches, plus voltage read points.As for the Z97 Classified, it costs $379.99 and has an 8-phase PWN, an 8-layer PCB, four memory slots, eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports (SATA Express is a no-show on EVGA's first wave of boards), five PCI-Express x16 slots, dual Intel Gigabit NIC, one mSATA/mPCIe slot, 5.1-channel Creative Sound Core3D audio, four USB 3.0 ports, dual mini DisplayPort connectors, and Triple BIOS. All three boards include a debug LED, Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons, and support for LucidLogix's Virtu MVP 2.0.The Z97 FTW and Z97 Classified are available for pre-order.
23 Comments on EVGA Unveils Its Z97-Based Motherboards
I think my next build is going to be an ITX, to be honest I'm tired of building hulking dual or triple card rigs, and want something more... fun?
ITX boards are at a point where you can get the performance of a decent ATX board at one quarter of the size, what do you guys think? You're probably referring to software solutions like Sound Blaster Cinema, or X-Fi MB2 that are included with some board that use realtek or other chips that offer minor audio enhancements.
The Core3D is actually a tiny quad core processor that actually has hardware acceleration for some special effects like voice alteration, reverb and virtual audio positioning.
i think their Ghaphics card doing better though
www.overclockers.com/evga-z97-classified-motherboard-review
BOOMB!
Performance in real life is absolutely same as any other. That's highest class of such type available on market, proven hundred times as reliable and excellent performing.
Yes, Yes some people complain why always black/red, I love black/red motherboards but this little different approach, can look fantastic with watercooling parts, strong White LED everything will shine in back and EVGA motherboard will be immediately recognizable... I love because EVGA don't use simple color from 5-6 colors pallet. Always have some different tone and in combination with PCB color give nicest look for me.
You should close look ASUS Hero and Z97 Classified in highest possible resolution, if you are good in details everything will be clear.
ASUS Hero is only shadow of ROG motherboards, I mean all ASUS motherboards are excellent but that's ASUS move to take customers who usually buy MSI/ASRock and pay max 150-160$ for motherboards. Now ASUS impoverish Formula/Extreme to offer and something for such people.
ASUS have own fantastic motherboard Z97-WS is for me excellent to, much nicer than Rampage and Maximus, not because color, because heatsink and nicer look.
EVGA Z97 Classified connected in case look as wireless motherboard. Same is on bench table, you see only connectors, wires can fit behind motherboard because angled connectors.