ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K vs ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160
Buy the ASUS Z97-A bundle if you want to overclock, run two graphics cards, or play games on the integrated graphics of the i7-4790K. Buy the ASRock H97M Pro4 bundle if you want a smaller, cheaper office or home PC and don't need overclocking or dual GPUs. The i7-4790K is the faster chip: 4 cores, 8 threads, 4.0 GHz base and 4.4 GHz turbo, against 2 cores, 4 threads at 3.6 GHz on the i3-4160. No prices were given for either bundle, so compare current store prices on this page before deciding.
Ask our shopping agent
ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K
Choose the ASUS Z97-A with i7-4790K if you want an unlocked quad-core CPU, SLI/CrossFire support and full ATX expansion.
Pros
- Unlocked i7-4790K overclocks on the Z97 chipset
- 4 cores and 8 threads handle gaming, streaming and multitasking
- SLI and CrossFire for two graphics cards
- Four display outputs, including DisplayPort and HDMI
- Four DDR3 slots up to 32 GB
Cons
- Full ATX needs a larger case
- Higher power draw and heat than the i3 build
- No onboard Wi-Fi or Bluetooth listed
- Overclocking needs a better cooler than stock
ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160
Choose the ASRock H97M Pro4 with i3-4160 if you want a compact microATX build for everyday tasks at the lowest cost.
Pros
- MicroATX fits small and budget cases
- Low 54 W CPU runs cool and quiet
- Four DDR3 slots and 32 GB max, same as the ASUS
- H97 supports the full LGA1150 Core lineup
- Cheaper board and CPU for basic builds
Cons
- Dual-core i3-4160 is much slower in heavy multitasking
- No CPU or memory overclocking on H97
- No SLI or CrossFire
- No discrete graphics support listed
What separates them
| ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K | ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i7-4790K: 4 cores, 8 threads, 4.0 GHz base, 4.4 GHz turbo, unlocked | Core i3-4160: 2 cores, 4 threads, 3.6 GHz, locked |
| Chipset | Intel Z97, supports CPU and memory overclocking | Intel H97, no overclocking |
| Form factor | ATX, needs a full-size case | MicroATX, fits smaller cases |
| Multi-GPU | SLI and CrossFire supported | Single graphics card only |
| Memory | 4 DDR3 slots, 32 GB max, overclocked speeds on Z97 | 4 DDR3 slots, 32 GB max, 1600 MHz |
| Display outputs | HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and VGA on board | Not specified in the listing |
| Power draw and heat | Higher: 88 W CPU plus overclocking headroom | Lower: 54 W CPU, stock cooling is enough |
| Build cost and size | Full ATX board and K-series chip cost more | Cheaper board and CPU, smaller footprint |
Price history
- ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K: lowest $107.00 on Nov 2 at Amazon.
- ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160: lowest $281.70 on Nov 2 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
Specs compared
| Spec | ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K | ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX | MicroATX |
| Socket Type | Socket LGA1150 | Socket 1150 |
| RAM Type | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Expansion Slot | PCI, PCI Express | — |
| Chipset | Intel | — |
| External Ports | Ethernet, DVI, VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB | — |
| Gaming | Yes | — |
| Multiple GPU Support | SLI, Crossfire | — |
| Number Of Memory Slots | 4 Memory Slots | — |
| Maximum RAM | 32 GB Max RAM | — |
| Motherboard Socket Type | — | Socket 1150 |
| Motherboard Chipset | — | Intel H97 |
Show all 31 specsShow fewer specs
| Spec | ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K | ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160 |
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard Form Factor | — | MicroATX |
| Motherboard Model | — | H97M Pro4 |
| Manufacturer | — | ASRock |
| Motherboard Compatibility | — | Micro-ATX |
| RAM Maximum Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Speed | — | 1600MHz |
| RAM Number Of Slots | — | 4 |
| RAM ECC Support | — | No (non-ECC) |
| CPU Manufacturer | — | Intel |
| CPU Series | — | Pentium, Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 |
| CPU Generation | — | 5th Generation Intel Core |
| Memory Type | — | DDR3 |
| Max Memory Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| Memory Slots | — | 4 |
| Memory Speed | — | 1600MHz |
| ECC Support | — | No (non-ECC) |
| Memory Channel Support | — | Dual Channel |
| Expansion Slot Type | — | PCI |
| Discrete Graphics | — | No |
What reviewers say
ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i7-4790K
The Z97-A and 4790K were well reviewed in their day as a solid mid-range combo, and owners still rate the chip's everyday speed. Complaints center on heat and on the age of the platform.
Pros
- 4790K handles gaming and multitasking well for its age
- Z97-A has a clean layout and easy BIOS
- Good overclocking headroom on both parts
Cons
- 4790K gets hot, especially overclocked
- DDR3 and LGA1150 limit future upgrades
- Older boards often arrive with worn ports or missing accessories
ASRock H97M Pro4 LGA 1150 Micro ATX Motherboard with Intel Core i3-4160
Owner feedback on the H97M Pro4 is generally positive for a budget board: stable, easy to set up, and good value. The i3-4160 is well regarded as a low-cost, low-power chip for everyday tasks. Complaints center on the limited platform rather than faults.
Pros
- Reliable, stable running for basic builds
- Simple BIOS and straightforward assembly
- Good value for the features
- Runs cool and quiet with the stock i3 cooler
Cons
- Dated platform with no upgrade path
- Limited to DDR3 at 1600 MHz
- Fewer premium features than Z97 boards
Questions and answers
- Which is better for gaming?
- The ASUS bundle. The i7-4790K has four cores and eight threads at up to 4.4 GHz, and the Z97 board supports two graphics cards. The i3-4160's two cores bottleneck modern games.
- Do I need a graphics card with either?
- The i7-4790K has Intel HD Graphics 4600, and the ASUS board lists HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and VGA outputs. The i3-4160 also has integrated graphics, but the ASRock listing does not specify its display outputs, so check the board's port layout before buying.
- Can I overclock either one?
- Only the ASUS bundle. The i7-4790K is unlocked and the Z97 chipset allows CPU and memory overclocking. The i3-4160 is locked and H97 does not support overclocking.
- Which fits a smaller case?
- The ASRock H97M Pro4. It is microATX, while the ASUS Z97-A is full ATX and needs a standard ATX case.
- Is the i7 bundle worth the extra cost?
- Yes if you game, stream or run heavy multitasking, or plan to add a second GPU. For web browsing, office work and media playback, the i3 bundle is enough and costs less.
- Will both take the same RAM?
- Yes. Both use DDR3 in four slots, up to 32 GB, non-ECC. The Z97 board can run faster memory kits; the H97 board is listed at 1600 MHz.