Can't decide on a z170

x-on

x-on

x-on

Associate
Joined
29 Oct 2014
Posts
24
Looking for a new motherboard as upgrading my rig it's getting old now lol.
Looking at getting a z170 to go with a i5 6600(for time being not bought yet) and a Zotac GeForce GTX 970 AMP! Extreme (that's in current rig) would like something that's gòod/easy for over clocking, but can't really deside between
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...cket-1151-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-317-ms.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...cket-1151-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-54c-gi.html
These two seem to mach the design of my gpu though iv not really heard anything about the ga ultra gaming mite just be because it's a newish board. Or just play it safe with a
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...cket-1151-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-648-as.html
Seems to be good value for money without being a ugly looking board lol what you guys think?
 
Last edited:
3 great boards and choosing one is always going to be what i would want/need vs what you want/need so i can only offer my opinion.

msi z170, i had the msi z170 gaming itx, smashing board with lots of software but it did not play nice with my M.2 ssd.

ASUS, always a safe bet and my choice of board for many a year, i felt they lagged a little for a while but like i say, safe.


GIGABYTE, had one for a few years now and i had not had one for a long time, rock solid and it will go for a long time yet.

of the 3 it a close call

3rd for the MSI as the M.2 problems narked me but if you are not using one then no worries, no usb c and no displayport

2nd for the asus, safe.

1sf for the gigabyte as it seems to have it all, usb c (how good they will prove to be is yet to be seen), also a nice display port 4k @ 60hz (i use displayport so a plus for me)

not really a lot between them without you providing what you need.
 
Mainly gaming though my other half duse do some design stuff and abit of video editing but nothing hardcore.
 
I had to make this choice earlier in the week and I ended up going with the ASUS.

I was first looking at the MSI (it seems the same as the Krait edition but with some pointless for my RGB lights) though when I do get around to using the m.2 slot it will disable 2 of the SATA ports (I'm using 5 of the 6 already)

The Gigabyte has the higher watt delivery over the USB type C (though not a deal breaker for me, to the point I don't know if the other 2 do). Their manual is a bit confusing but it also looks like the m.2 slot will disable 2x SATA if in use.

On the Asus board it looks like using the m.2 slot will only disable 1 SATA port. The on board gfx has more display ports (I'm running three screens and using a dvi cable) It's cheaper than the Gigabyte and also came with a copy of DOOM. The m.2 slot isn't by the graphics card placement which should allow better cooling if that's a concern, or room to put a heatsink on a drive placed in it.

Hope that helps, my choices may not match up to your exact preferences or needs so adjust as necessary. Do note just after I built it, the machine powered up but wasn't posting. I took the DIMMS out to see if it would start throwing error beeps at me but still didn't do anything. Next step was to check everything was plugged in properly (as I let my niece help me install the upgrade) and the 8 pin power connector wasn't in properly! Was all fine after that, if it is of any help I'm using 2x16GB sticks and all seems to be fine. I've not tried overclocking yet do to not having the time (only put it all in on Friday evening).
 
Last edited:
As someone not looking to SLI/X-Fire I went for the Gigabyte K3 Gaming EU board. Around the £100 price mark, has a load of features, great BIOS (they just added WOL fix for me to latest) and support. It's got nice LEDs, m2 support, USB3.1, charge when off and amped-up on-board sound. Can't fault it.
 
Has any one done/seen any reviews on the GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-ULTRA GAMING can not find much on it I know it's a newer board so maybe I just need to wait but I'm looking at ordering something by end of next week.
 
So having hunted around and checking some spec's I think I'm looking at hero or gaming7 (even though I really don't like white parts lol) how do these stand against each other focusing mainly on sound,LAN and ease of overclocking. Any others werth a look under the £200 mark (lol started out only planning to spend £150)
 
The gene's just the micro version of the hero is it not? Got no shortage of space in my case so would prefer full board.
 
x-on said:
The gene's just the micro version of the hero is it not? Got no shortage of space in my case so would prefer full board.
Click to expand...

No, the Gene is full ROG spec board and its fantastic for OC and especially on the memory. For the price its the best OC'ing board there is imo. For most users though looking for a mild OC on the CPU, say upto 4.7ghz and Z170 board will do so pick the one best suited for your needs.
 
x-on said:
So having hunted around and checking some spec's I think I'm looking at hero or gaming7 (even though I really don't like white parts lol) how do these stand against each other focusing mainly on sound,LAN and ease of overclocking. Any others werth a look under the £200 mark (lol started out only planning to spend £150)
Click to expand...
One thing I'd say about the Hero is that you should get the Hero Alpha model instead if you choose that. It can be had for the same price as the regular Hero if you shop around, and comes with several improvements such as a better USB 3.1 controller (Intel vs the original's ASMedia chip), built-in Bluetooth/wi-fi, two U.2 ports and RGB headers. For the same money as the regular Hero it's a no-brainer.
 
Read the forum FAQs regarding competitors.- stulid
I think we may have a winner!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Oh was censored lol what memory would best pair with that round £100 mark (more than willing to top up later on one's bank balance recovers lol)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom