Which MOBO to get?
Which MOBO to get?
I was thinking about which motherboard to choose. I compared the GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 (rev. 1.0) LGA 1151 (300 Series), HDMI, SATA, 6Gb/s ATX with Intel and the ASRock Z370 Killer SLI/ac LGA 1151 (300 Series), Z370 HDMI, SATA, 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX, as well as the ROG STRIX Z370-E Gaming (Socket LGA1151) USB 3.1 Gen 1 Intel with LED lighting. I also wanted to know what letter follows "Z370" on some boards like Z370-E, Z370-G or F. If you have any recommendations, please list them too. (Cpu: intel core i7 8700k coffee lake) You're welcome, and sorry for the many questions in one.
ASUS is clearly the top choice. The next best would be ASRock. It used to be Gigabyte, but lately the quality and features on many mid and high-end models have declined. Both ASUS and ASRock offer more detailed BIOS settings, improved fan controls, greater step options for voltage adjustments, better VRM and power delivery setups, and superior customer support.
The Maximus Hero boards are exceptionally strong, especially considering their price. The Maximus Hero X is only a bit more expensive than the Gaming 7 and performs much better overall, particularly for overclocking. If you're looking to save a little, you might consider...
Are you considering boosting the CPU performance? What kind of cooling setup are you thinking about? How many case fans will you need? Will you be using a dedicated fan controller or a built-in fan hub in the case? How many drives and what specifications will you install? Have you already bought the CPU? Are there any other components involved?
We’re getting nearer to the release of the 9th Gen Intel processors, which are expected to come out later this month or early next month. If you’re thinking about overclocking, it would be a smart move to wait and observe what these new models offer. They feature higher core counts and, importantly, the i7 chips now use an internal thermal interface between the die and heatsink, giving them better overclocking potential compared to some 4th generation and all 5th through 8th generation processors.
Additionally, a new chipset called Z390 will be introduced, bringing features not found on older Z370 boards such as six 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports instead of just a few. Intel’s CNVi wireless-AC technology, improved Optane support, and likely a more robust VRM/power delivery system to handle the extra cores and power needs of the 9th generation CPUs are also on the horizon.
Even if you choose to stick with an 8th generation CPU, upgrading to a Z390 board could be beneficial for added functionality and a stronger power delivery system, particularly if you plan to overclock.
Wow lol. I’m thinking to stick with the core i7 8700k but with a bit of overclocking. A 1.3tb hard drive and one ssd would work too, plus a Corsair H115i Pro RGB CPU cooler. Which option do you prefer? You mentioned it’s mainly for gaming and watching videos—looking for the most practical, fast, and durable setup.
ASUS is definitely the top choice. The next best would be ASRock. Previously Gigabyte, but recent models have seen a decline in quality and features across many mid-range and high-end products. Both ASUS and ASRock provide more detailed BIOS settings, improved fan controls, greater step options for voltage adjustments on CPU and memory, enhanced VRM and power delivery setups, and superior customer support.
The Maximus Hero boards stand out significantly. Particularly the Hero X offers much better value compared to the Gaming 7, making it a strong contender for overclocking. For those seeking a slight price reduction, the ASRock Taichi Z370 is worth considering. I’m planning an upgrade and had considered Coffee Lake, but as an overclocker, I learned they soldered TIM on 9th Gen chips, which made an 8th Gen CPU option unappealing.
That particular feature could create a 10-15°C temperature difference with similar hardware. However, if you’re not ready for that hardware update, these boards would be the most suitable alternatives in the same price bracket as the Gaming 7. If you prefer Aorus models, the Gaming 5 boards closely match the offerings of the Gaming 7, though the differences are minor and the cost gap is notable.