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Asustek Computer this week demonstrated one of its upcoming LGA1151 mainboards for Intel Corp.’s “Skylake” microprocessors at Computex 2015. The Asus Z170-Pro motherboard is a high-end, but not the flagship, platform powered by the Intel Z170 core logic from the company. While the new mainboard in many ways resembles last year’s Z97 Deluxe, it supports a number of features that make it considerably more advanced than anything available before.
Asustek Computer and other leading producers of mainboards have been using digital voltage regulator modules (VRM) with multiple phases for central processing units (CPUs) in order to ensure smoother fluctuations of power delivery for many years. The Asus Z170 Pro also [presumably] features a 16-phase digital VRM for microprocessors, but in addition to that it has a digital VRM for memory modules in a bid to ensure stable power delivery for maximum overclocking potential. While power consumption of modern DRAM is not high, enhanced overclocking capability will clearly attract a lot of attention to the Z170 Pro. Moreover, it is highly likely that other members of Asustek’s Z170 family will also feature digital VRM for memory. Digital VRM for DRAM is not something completely new, Asus has been using it on its Deluxe mainboards for a couple of years, but for some reasons did not use it on its Intel X99 platforms.
Since Intel’s Z170 core-logic features 20 PCI Express 3.0 lanes in addition to 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes in the “Skylake-S” microprocessor, the whole platform boasts with 36 PCIe 3.0 lanes in total, allowing to create ultimate multi-GPU and multi-SSD systems. The Asus Z170 Pro features three PCI Express x16 slots for graphics cards or solid-state drives, four PCI Express x1 slots and six Serial ATA-6Gb/s ports. In addition, the motherboard is equipped with a Serial ATA Express port as well as an M.2 port powered by PCI Express 3.0 x4 with up to 4GB/s bandwidth for ultra-high-end solid-state drives. Keeping in mind that the Intel Z97 chipset only features eight PCIe 2.0 lanes (4GB/s of bandwidth in total), improvements of the Z170 on the platform level are evident.
Just like in case of the Asus Z97 Deluxe/USB 3.1, the Asus Z170 Pro features two USB 3.1 ports, Crystal Sound 2 audio with EMI shielded circuitry, trusted platform module, 5-way automatic performance optimization capability, integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, 8-channel audio, HDMI and DP outputs, and so on.
For some reason, Asustek Computer decided to use all-new radiators on its performance-mainstream Z170 Pro motherboard. Typically, Asus’ mainstream platforms use heat-spreaders for core-logic and VRM that are made of brass and feature appropriate yellow colour. The new cooling devices use colours found on Asustek’s Intel X99-based products.
Expect Asustek’s Z170 Pro mainboard to launch in August, 2015, along with Intel Corp.’s Core i7-6700K and Core i5-6600K “Skylake-S” processors. Pricing remains unknown.
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KitGuru Says: Based on the list of features, the Asus Z170 Pro mainboard is actually better than the previous-generation Asus Z97 Deluxe, which was positioned as a flagship solution. It will be very interesting to see what kind of additional capabilities will Asus provide on its Deluxe and ROG platforms based on the Intel Z170 chipset.
When the prices are know, one thing is certain. I will weep.
Pretty clearly they’re actually showing a Z97 Deluxe/USB 3.1 board with different heatsinks attached, and a sticker with the new name stuck over the top of the old name (easily seen in the last pic). The notches in the DIMM slots are in exactly the same place as in pics of the Z97 Deluxe (should be moved for DDR4), and both boards are even Rev 1.03. And dual Ethernet has always been a Deluxe feature in all their previous lines, never on a Pro. But I guess the feature set of the actual Z170 Pro must be the same, for ASUS to consider this a valid stand-in? So the Z170 Deluxe should have even more than the Z97 Deluxe did. Another M.2 socket would be nice.
Asus board prices are getting a bit out of hand. I might go ass-rock for Z170.
Yes but at least one can run SLI/CF and still have 4x PCIe 3.0 left for that M.2, although many don´t care about dual GPU solutions and then another M.2 would be nice I agree.
Glad others are noticing that as well, yeah me too will probably try some other brand next upgrade, sit on X99 now and a big part of choosing Asus was cause of that non handicapped full speed M.2 slot and a few other things. But probably wait til next E platform instead of Skylake/Z170 or longer to get real value for money, one always want to get new HW but is it worth it form a economical point of view?
too bad ASUS canceled this bored for no reason because I really want this board, but I have to get the Deluxe version that will cost $100 more and it has 1 less sata express port and 4 less usb ports but more usb 3.1 ports, also the deluxe has a better wifi card even though I’ll won’t need it
this board was not cancelled. look at it, look very good. this is the Z97 Deluxe USB 3.1. an Asus employee said as much in a help forum. they never actially planned a Z170 Pro, but now they will bring one out thanks to much complaints as the price gap between this and the Z170A is huge.
yay thanks for the update, also I have been complaining about the price difference (around $160) between the Z170A and the Z170 Deluxe too, the Z170Pro is a happy medium for me because there is enough USB ports (at least 6 or more is enough for me) and Sata slots (at least 8 or more is enough for me)
Asus Released the Z170-Pro and they changed it so I lost my hopes but oh well, I diced to get the z170 Hero or deluxe anyway
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z170-PRO/