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 Z170 core-logic set and supports all modern LGA1151 microprocessors, including the top-of-the-range Intel Core i7-6700K. It features four-phase digital voltage regulator module consisting of high-quality solid-state inductors and capacitors. The manufacturer claims that the mainboard fully supports advanced overclocking capabilities, including overclocking of CPU base-clock, voltage increases and so on. The motherboard can even run DDR4 memory at frequencies of 4000MHz (4GHz), thus providing processors up to 64GB/s of bandwidth.
Asustek’s Z170I Pro Gaming mainboard comes with two DDR4 memory slots, one PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot for graphics cards, one high-performance M.2 connector (with PCI Express 3.0 x4 interface) for advanced solid-state drives in 2242/2260/2280 form-factors, one SATA Express connector, two Serial ATA-6Gb/s ports, 7.1-channel Supreme FX audio with headphone amplifier and 115db sound-to-noise ratio stereo output, two USB 3.1 type-A ports, six USB 3.0 ports, and so on.
Networking capabilities of the Asus Z170I Pro Gaming are top-notch. The motherboard features Intel’s Gigabit Ethernet (I219-V) controller with Asus LANGuard and GameFirst technology, which prioritizes gaming traffic and minimizes latencies. The mainboard also comes with dual-band 2.4/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi module with MU-MIMO support as well as Bluetooth v4.1 technology. Maximum transfer-rate supported by the Wi-Fi module is up to 867Mb/s.
The combination of rich feature-set, high-quality components and overclocking functionality clearly position the Asus Z170I Pro Gaming as a high-end platform for mini-PCs. Exact pricing of Asustek’s Z170I Pro Gaming is unknown, but typically such mainboards are not affordable.
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KitGuru Says: Just several years ago mini-ITX mainboards for gamers were full of compromises. Today, mini-ITX systems can easily rival full-size desktops in terms of performance, functionality and even overclocking potential. It remains to be seen when companies like Asustek Computer find a way to squeeze two graphics cards into those tiny boxes. While it is not easy to do, technically it is possible…
I’ll be waiting on the Maximus VIII Impact, but thanks anyway, Asus.