z170 ITX motherboards

[arandomguy]

Looking to go mATX or ITX. Comparing ITX boards first.

All boards are ALC1150. Plan is to pair with a 6700k (stock or mild OC) with DDR4 2800-3200 2x8GB.

ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac or Asus MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT
- don't see them being worth it for the price, may as well go HEDT then.

Asus z170i Pro Gaming:
+Displayport
-Asmedia USB 3.1

Gigabyte GA-Z170N-Gaming 5
+Alpine Ridge USB 3.1
+USB type-C
-no Displayport
-cooling solution weakness? (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1497-page5.html)

MSI z170I Gaming Pro:
+Displayport
-m.2 slot does not officially support full length 80mm drives, requiring drives be fixed to the board with tape
? USB 3.1 controller?

 

[YBS1]

ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac or Asus MAXIMUS VIII IMPACT
- don't see them being worth it for the price, may as well go HEDT then.

Those are, oddly enough, the best two boards. The ASRock is not usually any more expensive than the three others you listed. I went with the ASRock over the Impact due to it having an M.2 slot, being the most expensive Z170 mini-itx board it's strange the Impact doesn't have one. These two boards have a more ideal power phase arrangement than the competing boards, if you don't plan on overclocking buy the least expensive with the features you want.

Also, I don't think you should be concerned about display port (unless I'm not thinking of something crucial). Any monitor high-end enough that requires display port but doesn't also have an HDMI port isn't something you'll be able to drive at acceptable framerates with the Intel's integrated graphics anyway. Although I should add I guess having that ability if needed is nice (My XB270HU is DP only, I suppose if necessary at least the iGPU would be able to drive the desktop if my discrete GPU bit the dust).

 

[you2]

Typically display port has higher bandwidth than hdmi; which type of hdmi port is found on these motherboard (and monitor). I.e, 1.1, 1.2, ... for 2d rendering intel the frame rate is fine. For games it is another matter. I personally tend to favor display port myself.

 

[nehway0912]

The Gigabyte board put the M.2 key E for wifi vertically next to the CPU. So if you go with aftermarket coolers you might find it annoying and might want to remove the wifi card. Gigabyte has released rev 1.1, which they upgrade the NIC from e2201 to e2400.

 

[arandomguy]

Those are, oddly enough, the best two boards. The ASRock is not usually any more expensive than the three others you listed. I went with the ASRock over the Impact due to it having an M.2 slot, being the most expensive Z170 mini-itx board it's strange the Impact doesn't have one. These two boards have a more ideal power phase arrangement than the competing boards, if you don't plan on overclocking buy the least expensive with the features you want.

Also, I don't think you should be concerned about display port (unless I'm not thinking of something crucial). Any monitor high-end enough that requires display port but doesn't also have an HDMI port isn't something you'll be able to drive at acceptable framerates with the Intel's integrated graphics anyway. Although I should add I guess having that ability if needed is nice (My XB270HU is DP only, I suppose if necessary at least the iGPU would be able to drive the desktop if my discrete GPU bit the dust).

I'm a little caught up on the idea of having Displayport for a future 4k display at 60hz, or a display that is greater than 1080p at 60hz, without relying on a discrete graphics card as I may pass this system on at which the usage will not involve gaming. At the same time this idea also seems silly to plan for. The current usage would be with a discrete card due to gaming requirements.

A DVI port would actually be more useful in the here and now for a secondary display without having to run two off the discrete card.

In terms of overclocking I plan for it every build but I end up almost never actually doing it. Even so I don't think I'd be looking for every last mhz.

What do you feel the Asrock offers more of compared to the Asus Pro Gamer? The Pro Gamer and Gigabyte are cheapest around here. The MSI actually went back up and so it is likely out of consideration for now also due to the M.2 slot issues.

The Gigabyte board put the M.2 key E for wifi vertically next to the CPU. So if you go with aftermarket coolers you might find it annoying and might want to remove the wifi card. Gigabyte has released rev 1.1, which they upgrade the NIC from e2201 to e2400.

Actually wasn't something I noticed or considered. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JAG87]

I would go with the giga board for Alpine Ridge and TB3 capability. If they get it certified and release a bios update that enables TB3 (which they already have for some other boards with the AR controller), then you really have nothing to worry about connectivity. You will be able to drive anything over USB-C.

I wouldn't spend the extra money on the Asrock/ROG. Just doesn't seem worth it. That budget is better spent on GPU if you plan to game. In fact, I wouldn't even buy a 6700k for gaming, but that's just my 2c.

 

[YBS1]

What do you feel the Asrock offers more of compared to the Asus Pro Gamer? The Pro Gamer and Gigabyte are cheapest around here. The MSI actually went back up and so it is likely out of consideration for now also due to the M.2 slot issues.

I actually can't think of a single reason I would go for that Asus over the ASRock. The Fatality has more SATA connectors, more USB 3.0 ports, it's has USB 3.1 Type-A as well as Type-C, and most importantly like I mentioned in the previous post it has a more robust power phase arrangement. I went back and forth between the Fatality and Impact, going with the Fatality due to it's native M.2 slot, but the other choices dropped off my radar quick.

 

[arandomguy]

I actually can't think of a single reason I would go for that Asus over the ASRock. The Fatality has more SATA connectors, more USB 3.0 ports, it's has USB 3.1 Type-A as well as Type-C, and most importantly like I mentioned in the previous post it has a more robust power phase arrangement. I went back and forth between the Fatality and Impact, going with the Fatality due to it's native M.2 slot, but the other choices dropped off my radar quick.

Well a nearly $50 price difference compared to the Asus Pro Gaming and $75 over of the Gigabyte z170n and that is if the $30 MIR arrives.

 

[YBS1]

Well a nearly $50 price difference compared to the Asus Pro Gaming and $75 over of the Gigabyte z170n and that is if the $30 MIR arrives.

Where are you buying from? You're getting ripped off.....

It's a $10 or $20 difference right now after $10 rebate at NewEgg depending upon which one you're comparing it to, and it's priced high ATM @ $184.99, I've seen it at 159-169 before there. I paid $129 for mine, gotta love Microcenter.

 

[arandomguy]

Where are you buying from? You're getting ripped off.....

It's a $10 or $20 difference right now after $10 rebate at NewEgg depending upon which one you're comparing it to, and it's priced high ATM @ $184.99, I've seen it at 159-169 before there. I paid $129 for mine, gotta love Microcenter.

Going by the lowest prices off pcpartpicker for Canada. Price history also shows it hasn't really seen any sales here. There is also a real chance of MIRs not going through due to the current postal service labor dispute.

I can see the regional difference here as US pcpartpicker has the Asrock cheaper then the Asus Pro Gaming currently.

Price difference is about $120 between a 6600k and 6700k at the moment for some perspective.

I should point out if prices were equal I'd get the Asrock Fatal1ty or the Asrock OC Formula if matx. But the large difference esepcially for the Gigabyte make them attractive. As well as having Alpine Ridge and xfi MB3, as I'd like virtual surround sound.

I was going to ask this actually but what is the audio software suite for the Asrock? I don't see it specifically mentioned on the website. Asus and MSI also have different branded equivalents to xfi MB3 I think. Mainly want virtual surround sound, as mentioned before, and the ability to boost sub bass slightly.

 

[YBS1]

It's just the standard Realtek HD audio suite, they didn't add anything on top of it. Not really sure what it's capable of as atm I'm using the HDMI audio or Logitech USB headphones.

 

[lukart]

Those are, oddly enough, the best two boards. The ASRock is not usually any more expensive than the three others you listed. I went with the ASRock over the Impact due to it having an M.2 slot, being the most expensive Z170 mini-itx board it's strange the Impact doesn't have one. These two boards have a more ideal power phase arrangement than the competing boards, if you don't plan on overclocking buy the least expensive with the features you want.

True, I wouldn't count them out, that AR is pretty solid choice, generally cheaper compared to ASUS models but as reliable.