Still researching PC build. Asus or MSI Mobos? Does it matter?
Posted: 28 Nov 2025, 10:46
First of all, I need to research benchmarks, but I'm thinking of going with an Intel Core i7-14700K Raptor Lake-S Refresh 3.4GHz Twenty-Core LGA 1700 Boxed Processor, unless you guys think I ought to be looking at something else.
To my primary topic today:
I'm leaning towards an Asus Motherboard, but honestly, I have no reason why other than instinct and name brand recognition. So, I was comparing these motherboards this morning:
1. ASUS Z790-Plus TUF Gaming WiFi D5 Intel LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
2. ASUS Z790 MAX GAMING WIFI7 Intel LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
The TUF board comes with an audio chipset and an Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet with Ethernet speeds of 10/100/1000/2500Mbps, BUT for RAM it can only support Max Memory 128GB.
The Max Gaming board doesn't have an audio chipset, only an Realtek 1Gb Ethernet with Ethernet speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps, BUT for RAM it CAN support Max Memory 192GB.
Here is the link for the comparison of these two boards.
QUESTIONS:
1.I run my PC on Ethernet cable and so I'm not sure if I should privilege ethernet speed over the RAM's max memory. What makes more sense? Also, what do I do if the motherboard I choose doesn't come with an audio chipset?
2. Given that neither these boards has everything, is there another option in the ASUS product line that I ought to be looking at? Should I be looking at MSI? Are they well-respected?
Thanks, I'm thinking of starting this build this summer, but it will depend on my travel plans. So, no rush, and I appreciate your insights as always.
Grifter
To my primary topic today:
I'm leaning towards an Asus Motherboard, but honestly, I have no reason why other than instinct and name brand recognition. So, I was comparing these motherboards this morning:
1. ASUS Z790-Plus TUF Gaming WiFi D5 Intel LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
2. ASUS Z790 MAX GAMING WIFI7 Intel LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
The TUF board comes with an audio chipset and an Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet with Ethernet speeds of 10/100/1000/2500Mbps, BUT for RAM it can only support Max Memory 128GB.
The Max Gaming board doesn't have an audio chipset, only an Realtek 1Gb Ethernet with Ethernet speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps, BUT for RAM it CAN support Max Memory 192GB.
Here is the link for the comparison of these two boards.
QUESTIONS:
1.I run my PC on Ethernet cable and so I'm not sure if I should privilege ethernet speed over the RAM's max memory. What makes more sense? Also, what do I do if the motherboard I choose doesn't come with an audio chipset?
2. Given that neither these boards has everything, is there another option in the ASUS product line that I ought to be looking at? Should I be looking at MSI? Are they well-respected?
Thanks, I'm thinking of starting this build this summer, but it will depend on my travel plans. So, no rush, and I appreciate your insights as always.
Grifter