Pros: Has the M.2 skys the limit for case constraints. though I havent used it. It has the z97 chipset! and a few different ways to install harddrives aside of the M.2. It's compatibility is increased with memory and processors as I don't favor updating bios it has all the features to update easy and alot more. full control ability of all the different features in bios. Is memory compatible with ADATA (Just as I thought). good managability of the pci express lanes for those that want to strip it down to the bare bones in the bios and just run off of that instead of available ports,headers,sata, and just all around shut the lower chipset down and go. A good reliable board to go into next year with. runs good and cool in my situation.

Cons: Not very many cons on this one. One would be the standard problem it seems with the blue 3.0 header on the mainboard. One either uses that or the usb at the bottom closest to the front of the mainboard, not both at the same time. Starting and stopping issues will occur and have one wondering what the problem is(so closest to the front of mainboard usb is not usable when 3.0 header is being used. Also the chipsets for the different sata ports need to be set correctly in the bois for a cd drive or what have you. If not starting and stopping issues will occur. And have one wondering what the problem is. Most of all the 1150 processors use a exact amount of electricity and produce and monitor a exact amount of heat...So it is very important that one fastens down the aircooler good and tight. These boards are built for that from Gigabyte. If not...it will be starting and stopping. My situation I had a fan on the air cooler with a worn bearing not really a bad one. Between not fastening down tight enough and the vibration from the back fan..It caused a starting and stopping issue. Also remember this is a intel board so it will work with Radeon graphics, but will not favor other hardware that might be on the mainboard in a dispute with other software. EXAMPLE: I have a 10monitor with it's own graphics on board though usb and it would not work on this mainboard with a radeon r270x. Switched it for a nvidia gtx770 and it works fine now. I like the Radeon for the colors and brightness,but could not use it. I don't know what one makes of that....

Other Thoughts: I like it.... feels solid in the install. Runs solid when operating. 1150 processors are fast and affordable, but not x79. They have full control ability of all the features through the bios unlike older mainboards. Features that will take me a month or two to become fluent with,BUT unlike the x79 do not really favor having all the usb,com,etc..ports all being used at the same time. IS that good or bad I don't know. for my situation I can make it work and with full control ability of all those features I have made mine quite the trick-star.