CPU Cooler Fit and Included Accessories
CPU Cooler Fit
To test the amount of space surrounding the CPU socket, we mounted the Noctua NH-D14 cooler to the CPU socket. This behemoth CPU air cooler sports a dual fan construction and two huge vertical cooling towers.
When running the unit oriented to blow air towards the rear panel, there is plenty of room along all sides to accommodate the cooler as well as any PCI-Express cards installed in the system. The cooler looks to come close to impeding the primary PCI-Express x1 slot, but you should have no issues with using a card in that slot.
From the right side viewpoint, the cooler easily clears the memory modules to its front and the Thermal Armor channels along its right side and back. However, you may have some issues with accessing the armor vent switches with the cooler installed.
The left side of the cooler has even more room than the right side, since the Thermal Armor overlay is just above board level.
The Noctua hold down mechanism is large enough to quickly determine exactly how much space you have around the CPU socket. The hold down arms are a tight fit along the right and left sides of the socket, but do fit without issue. However, the hold down arm on the right side of the socket is in tight contact with the Thermal Armor wall. This fitting did not cause any mount related issues with the cooler.
The Noctua backplate sits directly on the LGA1150 socket backplate giving it no direct contact with the board. There is no risk of board damage because of this as well as the lack of components directly in the CPU socket area.
Included Accessories
ASUS includes everything you need to get the board up and running, as well as some Thermal Armor-related accessories.
There are several manuals included in the box, including the base user guide, a Thermal Armor accessory installation guide, and a warranty manual. Additionally, ASUS includes a certificate of reliability outlining the TUF series validation criteria, a TUF series case decal, and the installation disc. The included user guide is what we've come to expect from ASUS, detailing out all board features including the BIOS and included Windows software. The included DVD comes with all the drivers, applications, and utilities you will need to get the board operational.
The rear panel shield is a flat black color with all port holes labeled in white lettering for easy identification. ASUS also includes a fan port filter that attaches to the rear panel shield when using the option rear inlet fan.
ASUS packages in a total of four 6 Gb/s rated SATA cables for use with the integrated SATA ports. The cables have integrated port locks with a mix of straight and angled connectors. Note that no SATA Express cables are included with the board.
For multi-GPU use, ASUS includes an ASUS-branded two-way NVIDIA SLI cable.
For use with the on-board front panel headers, ASUS included their Q-Connector header plugs. You simply plug the front panel or USB 2.0 plugs into the Q-Connector blocks, then plug the Q-Connector blocks into the appropriate board headers. It makes the installation of the front panel and USB 2.0 plugs much easier.
For slot, port, and header masking purposes, ASUS includes PCI-Express slot covers, DIMM blanks, LAN port covers, USB port covers, SATA port covers, audio port covers, and USB header covers. All included slot, port, and header covers are black colored to blend with the Thermal Armor and are form fitted for a snug fit in their associated locations. Additionally, three temperature diodes are included for temperature monitoring via the integrated board headers, as well as fan screws for securing the optional armor inlet fans to the board.
ASUS used Newsun CMOS battery
ASUS used Newsun CMOS battery on this board instead of other better known brands. ASUS used maxell, KTS, Panasonic in the past. Seems like a cost saving switch to me.
Cmos battery? I lol’d
Cmos battery? I lol’d
I want ASUS Sabertooth Z97,
I want ASUS Sabertooth Z97, just becomes it looks neat! Or as Ryan puts it “These capacitors are neat looking” *droolz*
Nice review Morry! Thanks for pointing out that cooler issue! 🙂
Finally! Morry likes the
Finally! Morry likes the CMOS battery placement!
I think all mid to high end
I think all mid to high end boards will evolve into something like we see here with just the connections and sockets visible.
I just ordered one this past
I just ordered one this past Friday. Should be here June 6th. Hope it’s worth it.
I just got a Z97 Gryphon. I
I just got a Z97 Gryphon. I would love to see a review of it! Can’t wait to get a 4790K!!!
Thanks!
macmuchmore
Performance should be on par
Performance should be on par with the Sabertooth board since both TUF boards share the same components and design…
Awesome review! I guess
Awesome review! I guess you’re fan of Doctor Who, which is awesome too! Anyways, you just answered the exact questions on my mind.
I am planning a build with
I am planning a build with the Asus Sabertooth z97 Mark 1 with the Corsair H100i.
Can you explain further on the fitment issues you ran into?
Are you saying that instead of the Corsair logo being parallel to the ground, that it should be oriented 90 degrees to the left or right in order for it to fit?
i just put together a new
i just put together a new system with a sabertooth z97 and a h100i n had no problems at all, every thing went smooth.
Me too, just installed an
Me too, just installed an h100i on my z97 mark 1 without problems
After a lot of head fu***ing
After a lot of head fu***ing around. I i have finally decided on my gaming build, it consist of a corsair 750d case, sabertooth z97 (badass looking motherboard) Intel I7 4790k (devils canyon) and a evga 780ti sc.
The only thing I need to decide on now is what color cables and light I should use? I was. thinking blue or white! Can’t wait !
I completed a build with an
I completed a build with an ASUS z97 Mark 1, corsair H100i, ASUS R9 280X, and a i7-4790K.
I had an older Western Digital SSD 256 Gig. Second generation SATA that I used with it. The SSD drive was plugged into the first SATA port.
The SSD failed on me multiple times (was working fine in it’s former laptop).
Changed the SSD to a different port and used a different SATA cable. Seems to be fine now. I was curious if any other SATA issues have shown up. Could be motherboard, cable, or drive. It’s possible that I fixed it with the different cable but I wanted to ask around. I have read of issues with the Western Digital SATA drives so it’s my second suspect.
Robert Hart
I am having problem after
I am having problem after plugging wireless adapter ‘Asus PCE N-53’ in ‘PCI-Express x1’ of ‘asus Z97 mark1’ motherboard. I am using windows 8.1.
During whole installation of OS, I need to unplug the wireless card. I installed all drivers from DVD for this wireless card after OS install and then retried plugging in ‘Asus PCE N-53’ wireless card..Still same problem..
Window 8.1 is showing blue screen saying something that ‘problem deptected and collecting information and wil try to restart PC’.
Any idea, how I can fix this problem?
Thanks,
Krishna