Review: ASUS Z97 SaberTooth Mark 1

Not sure why you guys reviewed this as if it's not out yet. And no it's not a cheap board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132124

 

£150 ain't expensive, especially for what you get, and i can find them over here (uk) no problem so yeah.
*i'll check review laters as i'm in the market for one.

 

i feel it's way too cluttered near cpu, my current board was just a lil too cluttered to go direct die with the cpu retainer removed.
compare the gigabyte soc, the cpu area is free to go direct die /sub zero even, no clutter at all.(same cheap price too )


the MSI z97 boards seem to do well generally from the other reviews i've looked at too.

 

great board but i don't like the thermal armor. I absolutely prefer to look at the components, not only to appreciate the hi-tech stuff inside the case with my geek-eye , but also to control, remove easily dust, and first of all i want fresh and direct air on every component of the board, to ensure max lifespan to my stuff.

 

one of these on a test bench would be perfect, if done well would be incredible imo.
gpu would need backplate.

 

i was talking about the plastic cover. About the backplate, i agree that on a gpu it has a sense, but an atx motherboard secured to a case or a bench test with his 9 screws,i don't think it has rigidity problems.

 

If you look around, there are some reviews that show that the thermal armor is better in some areas compared to conventional motherboards (open air). From what I remember, it's no worse than normal motherboards in terms of cooling in any part.

Only reason I've got it on my desk waiting for the 4790k is for the 5 year warranty. I'm on my 4th 750i sli ftw, so I'm hoping that ASUS has better quality, but I need proof first.

 

You and me both I am going to be getting a Asus z97 pro board and hoping that is just as good if not better than my old Gigabyte board that I have currently.

Also there is a Sabertooth board with out the thermal armor which is cheaper in price.

 

Nice board but here in Portugal the Deluxe version costs more 20 to 40€ and for that amount i think the Deluxe is a better option.

 

I love my board. :nerd:

 

I want to know more about the TUF cover. Does it actually decrease temps at all? How about with the vents closed? How about with the fans they included? How hot does the chipset run without the fans? Without the armor?

I want to know more about the main feature of the board I guess is what I'm trying to say.

I'll keep an eye out for those.

 

From what I saw it was mostly a gimmick (this cover), also those mini fans can be a bit meh if it fails..
I opt for Deluxe back then, it seemed more robust with 16vrm phase and that big passive cooling heatsink.

 

These have been out for awhile and they even have a Mark 2 that's cheaper over here, I was going to get the Mark 1 and a 4790k but I wanted a Hexacore for something new and couldn't wait so hence the 4960X. The Sabertooth X79 isn't nearly as cluttered but doesn't have all the armour. Still if the 4790K have of been released earlier I'd be using one on the Sabertooth Z97.

Have any of the earlier Sabertooth mobos on other chipsets ever received differing versions such as a Mark 1 and 2? I know the X58 didn't.

Great review as always Hilbert, thanks.

 

I would go with Pro, bigger heatsinks like on Deluxe, but cheaper.

 

I'd much rather go with an Asrock Z97 Extreme 9 for that kind of money.

 

i'd rather the MarkII