87x to 97x - keep or change a mobo

[nSone]

I'm currently considering switching my CPU to a 4790k.
Would you recommend also switching the mobo to a x97 chipset or I'd be just fine sticking to my z87x-oc [sig rig*edited]
Also which one would you recommend, haven't really been looking into the refresh boards, do seem kind of boring but not sure if I'm missing smt...

I'd appreciate some advice, thank you!

[Solara2xb]

It really depends on your needs. The z87 vs z97 offer almost the same features with the exception of those who may need access to say things like M.2 ports and so on. Otherwise, they are pretty identical.

If you don't need anything of the features that are offered on the Z97 chipset, then it wouldn't make sense since performance wise, they are nearly identical.
Infact, I am still running a MSI Z87 MPower board for my test bench with a 4790k and a 4770k and the performance is pretty much the same.

But, aesthetically, the Z97 chipset boards do tend to be better looking if that is what your going for.

My other question wound be why do you want to change? have you hit a limitation factor with your board? Something you want that you don't have?
Those can be the major determining factors.

[nSone]

thanks for your reply @Solara2xb

Actually, I love the GA-Z87X-OC both performance and aesthetics wise, worked great with the 4670k and hope the 4790k will be a fun chip to OC
m.2 ssd and Broadwell support probably won't make no difference, so it's not that I'm hitting a limitation factor, just that I wasn't sure if there's anything I'm not taking into consideration.

More cores would be the most desirable advantage I'd like to gain, but switching the whole rig to a 2011 build, or a 2011-v3 build is just way out of budget
I'll be switching the CPU to a i7 cause that would be the most inexpensive switch I can make for now, and probably wait to see what 2016 will bring.

[Smiki007]

For what you said and I understand, you're going to upgrade your CPU from i5 4670K to i7 4790K, right? If so, you can keep your actual board, will fit perfectly with 4790K, it has all the feature you need, and the budget that you intended to spend on board you can use to buy the SSD (if you don't have one).

[nSone]

That's right Smiki007. Thanks for your advice.
I'll just keep the mobo and change the CPU, don't really need anything else
Already got 3x120gb ssd's so the less I spend the better
Do you think the broadwell CPU s would affect the price of 4790k? Doesn't seem like that to me but maybe I should wait a few weeks or so...

[Solara2xb]

That's right Smiki007. Thanks for your advice.
I'll just keep the mobo and change the CPU, don't really need anything else
Already got 3x120gb ssd's so the less I spend the better
Do you think the broadwell CPU s would affect the price of 4790k? Doesn't seem like that to me but maybe I should wait a few weeks or so...

Before you install the 4790K CPU, make sure to flash the motherboards BIOS to support the newer chips. You may have already done this, but if you haven't, make sure to do so.

[Smiki007]

That's right Smiki007. Thanks for your advice.
I'll just keep the mobo and change the CPU, don't really need anything else
Already got 3x120gb ssd's so the less I spend the better
Do you think the broadwell CPU s would affect the price of 4790k? Doesn't seem like that to me but maybe I should wait a few weeks or so...

I doubt the broadwell will affect the 4790k price much, but doesn't cost anything to wait a couple of weeks and be sure.