I'm putting together a PC for my machine learning projects using an Intel i5 14600k processor, which costs around $240. I'm considering future upgrades like a high-end GPU, but I don't want to shell out more cash on a motherboard than I did on the CPU. Right now, I have a SATA SSD that runs at 6GB/s. Here are the motherboards I've looked into so far: 1) ASRock B760M Steel Legend WIFI M-ATX (about $177) 2) Gigabyte Z790M Aorus Elite AX (Wi-Fi) DDR5 (approximately $240) 3) MSI Pro Z790-P WIFI (around $265) 4) GIGABYTE Z790 UD AX (priced at $245) 5) GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC (costing around $243). Any advice on which one I should choose?
1 Answer
If you're looking to upgrade your CPU later, I'd suggest steering clear of the Intel 1700 boards. It might be better to consider an AMD CPU with a socket AM5, as you can start with a cheaper AMD chip and upgrade to a more powerful model in the future. They’re likely to release new options around 2026 too! If you are leaning towards Intel, the Core Ultra 265K has seen a price drop recently and might be worth checking out, especially for certain uses.
I disagree. The Core Ultra series is not great. AMD has been consistently better in performance. It’s not just about future-proofing; it’s about getting value for your current needs.