Based on items currently available at pcandparts.com
MSI H97 GAMING 3 (DDR3) (LGA1150) $146.00 (excl TVA)
Link
I selected this for several reasons:
- It has the H97 chipset, it will run up to the 4th generation Haswell CPUs out of the box, it doesn't support overclocking like the Z97 but why paying more if you don't want to use that feature!
- It has Audio Boost 2 with isolated audio PCB circuit to prevent any noise in the output (check the link)
- Currently available unlike the Asys z97k which out of stock
- No SLI support, saves money if not needed
- 4xUSB3.0 Rear and 2xUSB3.0 On board plug if the case has front USB3.0 plugs
- 2xUSB2.0 Read and 4xUSB2.0 On board
Benefits over the Asus Z97k:
- 7.1 Channel audio
- Golden Audio connectors for durability
- More fan headers on board, Asus Z97k (2xCPU fan, 1xSystem Fan), Msi h97 g3 (2xCPU fan, 3xSystem Fan) it means you can plug 3 case fans and control them via BIOS or software and it will save you a lot of cabling inside your case (it will look cleaner)
- Black plate board (Asus has a brown plate) which looks nicer and more modern.
- Horizontal and Vertical Sata plugs: Msi board has 4 horizontal plugs and 2 vertical plugs for SATA which will make the cable management much more easy and clean.