Asus ROG STRIX Z370 Gaming E vs F model

[P1Fanatic]

The price difference is only £10 so leaning toward the E. I’m not that bothered about Wifi & BT but aesthetically I think I prefer the lighter colour scheme of the E and would work accentuate the RGB glow from the I/O shield, RAM, Strix 1080ti and front fan Halos.

The only other extras on the E seem to be:

1) It has a connector for a front USB 3.1 port (my case does not have one but could cable to the 5.25 front panel at a later date.
2) It has a silver colour scheme compared to a dark grey / charcoal colour on the F

However reading the following review:

https://www.anandtech.com/show/11860/z370-motherboards-asus-asrock-ecs-evga-biostar-msi-gigabyte/4

it suggests that those silver heatsinks are metal compared to hard black plastic on the F model. Which ones is not clear but I the M2 heatsink is the same on both. Scrolling down to the comparison pic of the I/O plate it does look like the shroud is metallic on the E. Does anyone know for sure as does not seem to be mentioned on Asus website.

 

[orbitalwalsh]

My old z270 which was black had metal. Don't think they'd use plastic , not when VRM runs hot !

Both Mobo should have usb 3.1 on the back of the board. Most people use more usb 3.0 internal headers then 3.1 internal

 

[P1Fanatic]

My old z270 which was black had metal. Don't think they'd use plastic , not when VRM runs hot !

Both Mobo should have usb 3.1 on the back of the board. Most people use more usb 3.0 internal headers then 3.1 internal

Yeah the more I read it the more I think the review is talking rubbish - especially as no other reviewer has mentioned it.

 

[P1Fanatic]

Gone with the Strix F in the end. Dont ned the extras.

 

[pastymuncher]

It states that the F has plastic heatsink covers not plastic heatsinks. The E has metal heatsinks with a brushed metal finish so doesn't need covers in a attempt to look nice. Personally I wish they would do away with all these plastic covers on motherboards. Boards are more and more expensive yet are covered with tacky looking plastic.

 

[LambChop]

Gone with the Strix F in the end. Dont ned the extras.

Remember if you're buying a cpu too, you'll get cashback from Asus.

 

[P1Fanatic]

Remember if you're buying a cpu too, you'll get cashback from Asus.

I’m buying it as part of a prebuilt so not sure it would apply. But what is this Asus deal you speak of?

 

[LambChop]

I’m buying it as part of a prebuilt so not sure it would apply. But what is this Asus deal you speak of?

I dont see why it wouldnt apply. If you are buying both qualified items you should qualify.

https://promotion.asus.com/en/uk/asus_mb_intel_cpu_cashback

 

[P1Fanatic]

I dont see why it wouldnt apply. If you are buying both qualified items you should qualify.

https://promotion.asus.com/en/uk/asus_mb_intel_cpu_cashback

Thanks. I already found it. Good timing for me!