ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I VS ASRock B365M Pro4 vs Gigabyte Z390 Aorus pro Wi-Fi vs MSI Z390-A Pro vs ASUS ROG Strix Z-390-E. The best motherboards for i7 8700K processors for gaming.
Choosing the right motherboard for your CPU is not an easy task. CPU is the most important part of the system since it allows you to use your new and powerful CPU to its full potential. Also the most important feature is that a good motherboard will protect your CPU from power shortages, which may ruin the whole system. In this article we are discussing about the five best motherboard for i7 8700K processor.
The factors which we need to consider while the purchase are:
- Form Factor
- Chipset
- Price
- Brand
- Socket type
- Port and Slot
ASUS ROG Strix Z-390-E
The ASUS ROG Strix Z-390-E is a gaming motherboard which is specially designed for 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core processor, which helps in improved connectivity and better speed with dual M.2, USB 3.1, Gen 2, DRAM stability of overclocking. It offers substantial power, support, smart cooling and faster memory support under a furtive skin.
Specification
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z390 Chipset
- Price: $299
- Brand: ASUS
- Socket type: LGA 1151
- Memory capacity: 64GB
- Port and Slot: 2* PCIe 3.0*16 (CPU)
1*PCIe 3.0*16 (PCH at *4 mode)
3*PCIe 3.0*1 (PCH)
Features
- The cooling system may include water pump header, fan extension headers amd MOS fan having bracket
- Highly advanced software
- Greater efficiency and regulation
- LGA 1151 socket for 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core desktop processor
- Aura Sync RGB: Synchronized LED lighting with compatible PC gear, including addressable RGB strips
- 5 way optimization: Automated system wide tuning, providing AI overclocking and cooling profiles which are tailor made for your rig.
- Gaming Audio: Supreme FX S1220A teams with Sonic Studio III to create an Aural landscape
- Gaming Connectivity: Dual M.2 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C connectors
- Gaming networking: Intel Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 2*2 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO support, LANGuard and Game first
Related Read: THE 5 BEST MOTHERBOARD FOR i7-9700K PROCESSOR
Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix Z-390-E is facing a tough competition from pricier competitors that attempt to provide a greater value and additional features. ASUS fills some of that gap with improved RGB and more polished software interface. For performance crazed gamers, its greatest accomplishment is that it overclocks as well as those pricier competitors.
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MSI Z390-A Pro
MSI Z390-A Pro is inspired for its architectural design with the extended heatsink for having better thermal solution.
Specification
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z390 Chipset
- Price: $127
- Brand: MSI
- Socket type: LGA 1151
- Memory capacity: 64GB
- Port and Slot: 2* PCIe 3.0*16
4*PCIe 3.0*1
6 SATA III and a single M
Features
- Extended heatsink design: MSI extended PWM and enhanced circuit design which ensures even high end processors to run in full speed.
- Core Boost: DDR4 Boost
- Audio boost: reward your ears with studio grade sound quality
- Supports 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core processor for LGA 1151 socket
- Turbo M.2: Running at PCIe Gen 3*4 maximizes performance for NVMe based SSDs
- Multi-GPU: with steel armor PCIe slots supports 2 way AMD Crossfire
- INTEL Turbo USB 3.1 Gen2: Powered by Intel USB 3.1 Gen2 controlled, Turbo USB ensures an uninterrupted connection with more stability and faster USB speeds.
Related Read: 5 BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR RYZEN 5 3600
Verdict
If you are looking for an easy to use motherboard at a great price with exceptional features the MSI Z390-A Pro is an excellent choice. It is assured that you are not paying money for fancy features that won’t go towards improving the overall performance of the system. This makes it particular motherboard which is perfect for gamers and power users.
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Gigabyte Z390 Aorus pro Wi-Fi
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus pro Wi-Fi is one of three Falcon inspired models from its Aorus branded product stack. One of the core features of this model include a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec.
Specification
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z390 Chipset
- Price: $199
- Brand: Gigabyte
- Socket type: LGA 1151 (300 series)
- Memory capacity: 64GB
- Port and Slot: 1*PCIe*16
3* PCIe*1
1PCIe*4
1PCIe*8
6*SATA 6Gb/s
Features
- It offers a perfect balance of style and performance by combining 2 heatsink with Heatpipe, thick thermal pad providing ultimate MOSFET cooling performance for enthusiasts, overclockers and gamers.
- Supports 8th and 9th Gen Core i9/i7/i5/i3, Celeron and Pentium processors
- Dual channel DDR4, 4DIMMs
- 12+1 Phase Digital VRM solution with DrMOS
- RGB fusion with Multi-Zone LED light show design
- Dual M.2 with Dual Thermal Guards
- Smash the GbE barrier with Intel next Gen wireless solution provides smooth video streaming and better gaming experience
Related Read: 7 BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR RYZEN 7 3700X
Verdict
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus pro Wi-Fi is a bit expensive than its competitors, but it justifies the cost in several areas with ample PCI versatility, good on board ports and versatile rear IO. It looks great with more RGB LEDs and eye catching design than rivals. Other board offers more SATA ports or a third M.2 connector for wireless but those are minor issues that won’t affect many people.
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ASRock B365M Pro4
The ASRock B365M Pro4 motherboard is designed to support the latest 9th and 8th gen Intel processors with Intel B365 chipset and DDr4 memory up to 64 GB. The board supports Intel Turbo Boost technology 2.0. Equipped with latest technologies like temperature sensing, quiet fan, fan multi speed control, voltage monitoring and CASE OPEN detection.
Specification
- Form Factor: Micro ATX (24.4cm*22.9cm)
- Chipset: Intel B365 Chipset
- Price: $83
- Brand: ASRock
- Socket type: Intel 1151
- Memory capacity: 64GB
- Port and Slot: PCIe*16 Slots
PCIe*8
PCIe*4
1PCIe*1
Features
- Improved power phase design offers smooth power delivery, providing unmatched performance capabilities, lower temperature for advanced gamers and reinforced system stability
- You may choose up to three display interfaces from the rear i/o connect monitors and use them simultaneously without installing another graphics card.
- Supports 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core Processors (Socket 1151)
- Memory: 4*DDR4-2666/2400/2133 DIMM slots, Dual Channel, Non-ECC, unbuffered, max capacity of 64GB
- Graphics output options: HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub
- AMD Quad crossFireX
Verdict
ASRock B365M Pro4 is a very capable motherboard, and a very good all rounder. At its low price point, decent performance and supporting up to 3 monitors. It is a perfect motherboard for system builders who prefer hassle free setup in a MATX form factor.
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ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I
ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I gives an experience of next generation performance with the mini ITX Rog Strix Z370-I gaming, which is exclusively for 8th generation Intel Core processors. Innovative M.2 double heatsink, onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi and front panel USB 3.1 delivers maximum connectivity speeds.
Specification
- Form Factor: Micro ITX
- Chipset: Intel Z370 Chipset
- Price: $179
- Brand: ASUS
- Socket type: LGA 1151
- Memory capacity: 64GB
- Port and Slot: 2*PCIe3.0/2.0*16
1*PCIe*3.0/2.0*16
4*PCIe*3.0/2.0*1
Features
- Designed exclusively for 8th Gen Intel Core processor to maximize connectivity and speed with Dual M.2, USB 3.1, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, gigabit LAN and Intel optane memory compatibility
- 5 way optimization with auto tuning and FanXpert 4 automatically tailors overclocking profiles to your unique build for maximum OC performance and dynamic system cooling.
- Unmatched personalization with ASUS exclusive AURA Sync RGB lighting and addressable RGB headers
- Innovative M.2 double Decker Heatsink shrouds the main M.2 slots and provides shared cooling for both the M.2 and PCH; Anti-surge LANguard
- Patent pending safe slot features an injection molding process that integrates metal framing for a stronger, firmly anchored PCIe slot built for heavy weight GPUs.
Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I offers a good overclocking, dual M.2 drive slots and adequate number of USB ports. But default load line calibration causes voltage surge under heavy load and thus causes power throtting.
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BUYING CONSIDERATION
Overclocking Capacity
The overclocking capacity depends on several factors. The first will be the VRM of the motherboard, which refers to the way with which it transforms regular voltage to something the CPU and GPU can handle. VRM systems with 12+2 phases are recommended for better results.
Chipset
The term chipset often refers to a specific pair of chips on the motherboard: the northbridge and the southbridge. The northbridge links the CPU to very high speed devices, especially Ram and graphics controllers and the southbridge connects to lower speed peripheral buses ( such as PCI or ISA).
Heatsink
Heatsinks is a necessary part because it keeps the components cool and helps heat produced in computer escape. Usually made of aluminum alloy.
Form Factor
It shows the dimension, power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel etc. it is the most significant specification of a motherboard which generally dictates the overall size of the case.
ATX
Usually features seven expansion slots, spaced 0.7” apart, and four DIMM slots
eATX
Offers additional real estate for more flexible hardware configurations
Micro ATX
Featuring two full sized (*16) expansion slots and four DIMM slots.
Mini ITX
Provided one full size PCIe slot typically two DIMM slots.