You don't necessarily need an ultra high-end motherboard to achieve a great overclock. This was proven by OC team ‘The Overclocking Knights' this week, who used MSI's Z170A Gaming M7 motherboard to push an Intel Core i7 6700K all the way to 6744MHz (6.74GHz), breaking the PiFast World Record. The team also …
Read More »Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7 Motherboard Review
It is almost undeniable that performance is the primary currency when purchasing components for a pixel-pushing gaming machine. But in the same way that enthusiasts may appreciate a fast car for its sleek lines and eye-catching paint job, appearance is another of the important parameters to gamers building a system …
Read More »ASUS shows off ROG Maximus VIII Impact Z170 ITX motherboard
ASUS has just showed off its latest motherboard, the mini-ITX ROG Maximus VIII Impact, bringing the benefits of Intel's latest platform to small, compact rigs. With a new platform, comes new benefits, including 5-way optimization, Pro Clock technology and a full-scale voltage regulator module for those that like to squeeze …
Read More »AMD’s future ‘Bristol Ridge’ and ‘Stoney Ridge’ APUs listed in BIOS
An undisclosed maker of motherboards has already added mentions of AMD’s upcoming accelerated processing units in the binary of its BIOS. It is highly likely that AMD’s latest reference BIOS versions already include support of the company’s future microprocessors. As a result, mentions of the chips migrate to commercial products. …
Read More »Intel: Usage of DDR3 at default voltages can damage “Skylake”
Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” processors officially support only DDR3L and DDR4 memory, but there are motherboards for the new chips that can also use DDR3. While the chips can work with previous-gen memory, prolonged usage of such dynamic random access memory (DRAM) can damage microprocessors, according to Intel. DDR4 memory …
Read More »Asrock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX: Tiny mobo with 8-phase CPU VRM
Asrock has introduced its new Fatal1ty-branded mini-ITX high-end motherboard for gaming PCs. The new system board is designed for Intel “Skylake” processors and sports numerous advanced features that modern PC platforms can offer. Among the highlights are unique voltage regulator module, extreme overclocking capabilities, HDMI 2.0 connector that supports 4K …
Read More »MSI Z170A XPower Gaming Titanium Edition Review
MSI has made a bold move by giving the company's Z170 XPower motherboard a Titanium theme. What exactly does that mean? Well firstly the motherboard features a unique metallic styling which is sure to turn heads. And then there's the application of a sixteen phase power delivery system that makes …
Read More »Gigabyte Z170X-SOC Force LN2 for extreme overclockers is closing in
Earlier this year it transpired that Gigabyte Technology was working on a new ‘Super Overclock’ motherboard designed for extreme overclocking and setting records in benchmarks. As it appears, the release of the platform is getting closer. The Gigabyte Z170X-SOC Force LN2-CF platform was designed from the ground up to offer …
Read More »Asustek unveils ultimate mini-ITX mainboard for ‘Skylake’ CPUs
Asustek Computer this week introduced its Z170I Pro Gaming mainboard, which is desinged for Intel Corp.’s latest microprocessors code-named “Skylake” and provides ultimate feature-set. The platform not only uses high-quality/high-performance components and has rich expansion capabilities, but even features advanced overclocking functionality. The Asus Z170I Pro Gaming is based on the Intel …
Read More »MSI starts to sell its top-of-the-range Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium
Although makers of mainboards tend to start selling their high-end products right after developers of microprocessors introduce their new central processing units, some unique products take longer time to develop. MicroStar International on Friday said that its top-of-the-range Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition mainboard – which features an distinctive silver colour – …
Read More »MSI unveils Night Elf: Inexpensive Intel B150 mainboard for gamers
MicroStar International has unveiled its new mainboard for Intel Corp.’s latest code-named “Skylake” processors that belongs to its Gaming family of platforms designed for gamers, but which costs significantly less than higher-end solutions. The MSI B150M Night Elf mainboard does not support overclocking or other advanced capabilities of modern motherboards. …
Read More »OcUK ‘8Pack Approved’ kit includes Intel Core [email protected], other hardware
Overclockers UK has unveiled its new “Elite Tier Skylake” “8Pack Approved” hardware bundle that not only lets to build a high-end system at a discount price, but also includes Intel Core i7-6700K “Skylake” processors that are guaranteed to run at increased clock-rates. A lot of people enjoy overclocking. Modern central …
Read More »Asrock unveils mainboard for ‘Skylake’ with DDR3 and DDR4 memory slots
Asrock has quietly unveiled a unique mainboard for Intel Corp.’s latest processors code-named “Skylake”, which features both DDR3 and DDR4 memory slots. The motherboard is an affordable platform, but it can be used to build rather high-performance personal computers for gaming. The Asrock B150M Combo-G mainboard for Intel “Skylake” processors in …
Read More »Gigabyte claims ‘world’s first’ Thunderbolt 3-certified mainboard
Gigabyte Technology, one of the globe’s largest maker of motherboards, on Monday said that its Z170X-UD5 TH motherboard is the world’s first platform to be certified by Intel for Thunderbolt 3 compliancy. The Gigabyte Z170X-UD5 TH mainboard is based on Intel Z170 core-logic as well as Intel’s “Alpine Ridge” controller. …
Read More »Kingston introduces DDR3L memory modules for enthusiasts
Although DDR4 memory provides higher bandwidth than DDR3 and has very high overclocking potential, it is also more expensive than its predecessor. However, Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” processors officially support only DDR4 and DDR3L, but not DDR3. For those, who do not want to invest in DDR4 now, Kingston Technology …
Read More »Gigabyte unveils high-end Intel Z170-based mini-ITX mainboard
Gigabyte Technology has introduced its new mini-ITX mainboard for Intel Corp.’s “Skylake” processors with premium features. The new platform supports a number of advanced technologies, including Creative SoundBlaster audio enhancements, USB 3.1 type-C port, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and so on. The Gigabyte GA-Z170N-Gaming 5 mainboard based on the Intel Z170 core-logic with …
Read More »MSI initiates cash-back program for Intel Z170 mainboards and GeForce GTX graphics cards
MicroStar International has initiated a cash-back program on select products based on Intel Corp.’s Z170 core-logic sets and Nvidia Corp.’s graphics processing units. For a limited time, it will be possible to get the latest hardware at a discount. From 28th of August until 29th of September, MSI offers up …
Read More »Asus TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1: Extreme performance and durability
Asustek Computer has introduced its TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 mainboard for Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” processors, which combines excellent expansion capabilities, advanced connectivity, sophisticated overclocking features with ultimate durability and five-year warranty. The platform is designed for those, who not only want high performance, but maximum reliability too. The …
Read More »Not all USB type-C ports are equal: Nine versions of USB-C incoming
The reversible USB type-C connector is something that the industry has been waiting for since the introduction of the original USB bus in 1997. This year PCs, computer components and mobile devices finally started to incorporate USB-C receptacles, but not all implementations necessarily support all features introduced by the latest …
Read More »Gigabyte Z170XP-SLI Motherboard Review
Gigabyte's Z170XP-SLI is aiming to tempt users looking for a motherboard that offers the Z170 platform's core features, but without requiring a significant cash outlay. In the Z170XP-SLI, Gigabyte offers one of the lowest cost boards to support SLI, while also retaining features such as USB 3.1, USB Type-C, and …
Read More »MSI readies Intel Z170 mini-ITX mainboard with premium features
MicroStar International is preparing to release one of the industry’s first premium mainboards for Intel Corp.’s “Skylake” microprocessors in mini-ITX form-factor. The new motherboard will support all features essential for modern high-performance personal computers and will even have overclocking capabilities. The MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC platform is based on …
Read More »Intel demos 3D XPoint-based Optane SSD, set to launch it in 2016
Intel Corp. on Tuesday demonstrated Optane, the world’s first solid-state drive based on its 3D XPoint memory jointly developed by Intel and Micron. The company said once again that the new type of memory will enable considerably higher performance than existing NAND flash. Intel Optane SSDs featuring breakthrough performance will …
Read More »Asrock introduces USB 3.1 type-C front panel for desktop PCs
While there are many mainboards with USB 3.1 support available today, they feature type-C ports on their back panels and it is uncomfortable to use such connectors. Asrock this week introduced a special adapter that places one USB type-C and one USB type-A ports on the front panel of any …
Read More »ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6+ Motherboard Review
Exploiting the Skylake CPUs for their allure to gamers, ASRock's Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6+ is a motherboard that targets the enthusiast gaming audience by offering a wide range of the bells and whistles they may desire. Can pumped-up audio, a Killer NIC, strong multi-GPU support, and high-speed storage interfaces persuade …
Read More »Asustek’s Intel Z170 platforms will work with DDR3 1.5V/1.65V modules
Although Intel Corp.’s latest “Skylake” microprocessors officially support only DDR4 and DDR3L memory technologies, Asustek Computer claims that its Intel Z170-based motherboards with 240-pin DIMM slots will work with standard DDR3 memory modules with industry-standard voltages. DDR4 SDRAM memory has default voltage of 1.2V, but memory modules for overclockers with …
Read More »Rivet Networks unveils Killer E2400 network processor
Rivet Networks on Wednesday introduced its new-generation smart network processor with enhanced performance and improved functionality. The new Killer E2400 chip promises to improve network-related performance in video games, multimedia and bandwidth-demanding applications. Gigabyte Technology and MicroStar International will be the first companies to use the new chip. Rivet does …
Read More »MSI overclocks DDR4 memory to 4605MHz on latest platform
MicroStar International on Wednesday said that an overclocker had managed to set a new clock-speed record for DDR4 memory using the company’s flagship MSI Z170A XPower Gaming Titanium mainboard. The achievement underlines that both the new motherboard and Intel Corp.’s new “Skylake” microprocessors are excellent overclockers when it comes to …
Read More »MSI offers free liquid-cooler with the purchase of Intel Z170 mainboard
MicroStar International will provide a free closed-loop liquid cooler from Cooler Master to the first buyers of their MSI Z170A Gaming M7 mainboards. The offer is limited, hence early adopters will need to be extremely quick. The first buyers of MSI’s new Z170A Gaming M7 platform will get Cooler Master …
Read More »Asus Maximus VIII Hero (Z170) Motherboard Review
The launch of Intel's Skylake CPUs sees the introduction of a whole new platform based around the LGA 1151 socket. Making use of Intel's feature-healthy Z170 chipset, Asus is targeting gamers who value premium aesthetics and enhanced gaming-grade features with the Maximus VIII Hero. Will the Republic of Gamers (ROG) …
Read More »EVGA adds USB 3.1 type-C to micro-ATX Intel X99 platform
EVGA has upgraded its micro-ATX mainboard for Intel Corp.’s high-end desktop processors. The new platform features all the advanced capabilities that the EVGA X99 Micro had to offer a year ago, but adds more Serial ATA-6Gb/s ports as well as one USB 3.1 type-C connector. The new motherboard is one of …
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