Haswell Refresh and MSI H97 mobo

Hardware Hub CPU
1

Hey guys!

 

I'm building a, mid-range price, PC and I'm stuck on the CPU choice.

I want to use the MSI H97 PC MATE mobo. 

I'm buying from a shop called 'Alternate.be'.

They have the I5-4570 haswell CPU and the I5-4590 haswell refresh CPU for the same price.

I want to go for the haswell refresh, but i'm not shure if the MSI mobo supports it.

Here's the list: http://www.msi.com/support/mb/H97_PC_Mate.html#support_support

It says it's compatible, but I read that some mobo's need to update their bios with the use of an older CPU.

Is this the case with this mobo? How can I check that?

Thx in advance!

2

That motherboard will NOT need a BIOS update to use the newer Haswell Refresh CPU (ie, the 4590). You should definitely go with the 4590 if they both are the same price. Other than searching on Google, a quick way to check if parts are compatible is by using the website pcpartpicker.com

I have input the i5 4590 and the motherboard you would like to select in the website and it gives no "warnings" or "compatibility issues" so that is another very reliable method of checking.

Here is the link: 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/b9wDkL

As you can see, no compatibility issues or warnings, so you'll be good to go with these two.

3

H97 is also a haswell refresh chipset, you will be totaly fine with a 4690 cpu on that H97 board.

Should work out of the box. ☺

I suppose you are not interessted in overclocking?

4

+1

That board is capable of a decent overclock, as VT-d is now also enabled on the k parts, I would go for an unlocked CPU.

5

Thanks a lot for the info, guys/girls!

I want to learn to overclock a PC, but I'm still new. I'm also already a bit over my own pricepoint for my build in total. I'll think about it.

PS: an unlocked CPU is one with a 'K' at the end isn't it?

6

Yes, an unlocked CPU has a K at the end (eg i5 4690k)

7

yes but then you gonne need a Z97 mobo, to have fully unlocked overclock feutures.

8

I changed my mind. I'm going to buy an I5 4690K and a GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-SLI mobo.

The site I'm buying from now has a 'cashback' deal on some mobo's together with the new haswell refresh CPU's.

 

9

So far, I am pretty unimpressed by their audio setups on their boards. Try and get a higher quality one or get a soundcard.

10

thx for the heads up, but I'm not too worried. I don't have the money to buy a more expensive mobo. And for my audio recording I use a focusrite scarlett 2i4. Its a USB 'soundcard'.