With every new processor release Intel prepares a new chipset solution: for the Haswell refresh series this is the H97 and the Z97. In comparison with the Z87 there's not that much new stuff too talk about. Looking at the below diagram, the announced 5th generation Broadwell compatibility is a big plus. Until now Intel only confirms that Z97 is the only chipset that will support the new announced Devils Canyon SKU and the upcoming 5th generation Broadwell processors. If Z87 can be made compatible via a simple bios update with Devils Canyon still remains a well kept secret.

USB-wise nothing has changed, the Intel 9 series chipset still covering 6 x USB 3.0 and 8 times USB 2.0. The high-end Z97 chipset allows splitting up the 16 PCI-Express 3.0 lanes into 2x 8 lanes or 1x 8 lane and 2x 4 lanes. This of course is a requirement for multi GPU solution support, but also interesting for future PCIe 3.0 enhanced SSDs. As a high-end chipset, the Z97 allows K SKU overclocking, while the cheaper H97 variant does not.

Biggest thing to mention for the new H97 and Z97 chipsets is the enhanced storage option support: SATA Express and the M.2. storage solutions. While the M.2 technology is not entirely new, the speeds reached by the desktop variant are comparable with SATA Express, meaning up to 67% faster than the current SATA Gen3. (1000MB/s versus 600MB/s) thus the transfer bottleneck will be lifted and systems will become more snappier.

The integration of either one or both of the aforementioned solutions is hit and miss over the different board brands. Some models only include SATA Express, others support the M.2 mSSD others offer even both solutions. We have just received the M6e from Plextor, a PCIe M.2 solution and will use the 256Gb M.2 drive in future Z97 motherboard reviews. Since the M.2 SSDs exist in different lengths (2260/2280) the motherboard manufacturers have to ensure these are all supported.

With the inclusion of the Intel Rapid Start Technology in the 9 series chipsets can use up to 16GB for caching purposes when the PC is active, or use the same amount for the memory image once the PC goes into sleep mode. When activating the PC again this memory image is read back to the DRAM and the SSD is solely used again for caching purposes.

A quick look on the efficiency part of the Z97 high OC board from Gigabyte we spot that the current BIOSses are already allowing them to perform as fast as the Z87 predecessors.

SuperPi 32M and Wprime1024:

AIDA Engineer CPU QUeen and PhotoworXX test:

Cinebench R11.5:

Performance is already on par with Z87. Though if you don't think to upgrade to a new storage solution or Devils Canyon CPU, there's no need to buy a new Z97 chipset based LGA 1150 motherboard.