The Z97 is a motherboard chipset developed by Intel, primarily designed for use with Intel's fourth and fifth-generation processors, known as Haswell and Broadwell. It supports features like DDR3 memory, multiple graphics card configurations, and enhanced connectivity options, including SATA Express and USB 3.0. This chipset is part of the LGA 1150 socket family and is popular among gamers and PC builders for its overclocking capabilities and robust performance. The Z97 chipset also includes support for Intel Rapid Storage Technology, which improves data access speeds and system responsiveness.