Best 1151 Z170 Skylake Gaming Motherboards for the Money 2018

So you’re ready to get that Skylake or Kaby Lake processor but aren’t sure what motherboard to purchase. This is the list you’re looking for. Below, you’ll find our list of Z170 motherboards ranked in order of quality, price, and features. We update this list as new 1151 boards are released or price points are adjusted.

What’s New with 1151 Motherboards?

While this certainly isn’t a checklist for everything new with the 1151 platform, it is a good summary of essential parts. Keep in mind that Z170 and Z270 motherboards don’t work with Intel’s Coffee Lake. Z370 motherboards are also here for those looking for a Coffee Lake option.

DDR4 Memory: DDR4 is the new standard for 1151 motherboards. It’s more energy efficient, achieves higher MT/s, and has a higher capacity per stick of 16GB vs the previous DDR3 standard. Overall the performance benefits of DDR4 are minimal at this time but may make a bigger difference as manufacturers tighten timings.

Those who want to skip DDR4 on the 1151 platform can certainly do so by purchasing a budget DDR3 Skylake motherboard.

For purchasing information, here are my thoughts on the best DDR4 RAM and Memory for the money. While it won’t be new for those coming from the X99 socket 2011 motherboards, DDR4 memory is still rather new for the mainstream consumer line of motherboards.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology: This technology offers faster access to your files and applications as well as lower power usage by taking advantage of SSD caching. In addition, Intel’s Rapid Storage technology also offers improved performance and data reliability through Raid technology and rapid data recovery.

Intel Clear Video Technology: This gives you sharper and more natural images and video by removing jitter and using skin-tone enhancements that bring true colors to life.

Intel Wireless Display Technology: With a compatible adapter and TV Wireless Display technology allows you to play content wirelessly from your mobile device to your TV.

Featured Z170 1151 Intel Motherboards with Specifications

Model	Picture	Form / Memory	Expansion / Storage	Rear Ports / Audio/ LAN	Internals	Comparison
Asus ROG Maximus VIII Hero		ATX / Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3600 OC	2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, 1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, 3 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports, 2 SATA ports, 2 x SATA Express ports, 1 M.2 Socket 3 with M Key	1 PS/2 port, 1 HDMI, 1 Anti-surge LAN (RJ45) port, 1 DisplayPort, 2 USB 3.1 ports (1 Type-A [red] and 1 Type-C [black]), 2 USB 3.0 ports , 4 USB 2.0, 1 Optical, / ROG SupremeFX 2015, 8 Channels / Intel I219-V,	2 USB 3.0 Headers, 2 USB 2.0 headers, 1 ROG extension , 1 4-Pin CPU fan, 1 4-Pin CPU_OPT fan, 4 4-Pin Chassis fan, 1 4-Pin Water pump, 1 EXT_Fan header , 1 Thermal sensor, 1 24-pin EATX power, 1 8-pin EATX 12V , 1 Start button , 1 Reset button , 1 LN2 mode jumper , 1 x MemOK! Button , 1 Clear CMOS Button , 1 Thunderbolt header (5-pin) for ASUS ThunderboltEX II series support , 1 Front panel audio (AAFP) , 1 x TPM , 1 System panel	Check Amazon Price Check Open Box Price On Newegg
Gigabyte Z170 GA-Z170X-UD5		ATX / Up to 64BGB Dual Channel DDR4 3466 OC	3 x PCIe 3.0 x 16 (x16, x8, x4), 4 PCIe x 1 slots, 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors, 3 x SATA Express, 2 x M.2 Socket 3 Connectors	1 x pS/2, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI, 2 x RJ45, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.01 Support), 3 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 S/PDIF	2 USB 3.0/2.0 Headers, 2 USB 2.0/1.1 Headers, 1 24-pin ATX, 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power, 1 CPU fan header, 1 water cooling fan, 3 system fan headers, 1 x front panel audio header, 1 S/PDIF Out header, 1 Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header, 1 x Thunderbolt add-in card, 1 serial port header, 1 x Clear CMOS jumper, 1 x power button, 1 x reset button, 1 Clear CMOS button, 1 ECO button, 1 OC button	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price
MSI Z170A Gaming M7		ATX / Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3600 OC	3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, 4 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots / 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 2 x SATAe ports (PCIe3.0x2), 2 x M.2 ports	1 PS/2 port, 2 HDMI, 1 RJ45, 1 DisplayPort, 2 USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Optical, 5 OFC audio jacks / Realtek ALC1150, 7.1 Channels/ 1 Qualcomm Killer E2400 Gigabit LAN controller,	2 USB 2.0 (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports), 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB), 1 24-pin ATX main power, 1 8-pin ATX 12V power connector, 2 4-pin CPU fan connectors, 3 4-pin system fan, 1 Front panel audio, 2 Front panel, 1 TPM module, 1 x Chassis Intrusion, 1 x Game boost button, 1 x Power button, 1 x Reset button, 1 x Flash BIOS button, 1 x Hot key switch, 1 x Slow mode switch, 1 x 2-Digit Debug Code LED	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price
ASRock Fatal1ty Gaming K6		ATX / Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3600 OC	3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slots, 3 PCI Express 3.0 1 Slots / 6 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s, 2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s by ASMedia, 2 SATA Express 10 Gb/s, 1 Ultra M.2 Socket	1 PS/2, 1 DVI-D, 1 HDMI, 1 RJ-45 LAN Port with LED, 1 DisplayPort, 1 USB 3.1 Type-A Port, 1 USB 3.1 Type-C Port, 5 USB 3.0, 1 Fatal1ty Mouse Port (USB 3.0), 4 USB 2.0, 1 Optical, HD Audio Jacks / Realtek ALC1150, 7.1 Channels/ Killer E2400 Series	2 x USB 2.0 Headers, 1 USB 3.0 Header, 1 COM Port Header, 1 TPM Header, 1 Power LED and Speaker Header, 2 CPU Fan (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control), 4 Chassis Fan (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control), 1 24 pin ATX Power, 1 8 pin 12V Power (Hi-Density Power), 1 Front Panel Audio, 1 Thunderbolt AIC, 1 Dr. Debug with LED, 1 Power Switch with LED, 1 Reset Switch with LED	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price
Asus Z170-A Motherboard		ATX/ Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3400 OC	2 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots, 1 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16, 3 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 1 slots/ 6 SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports, 1 SATA Express port, 1 M.2 Socket 3 with M Key	1 x PS/2, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB 3.1 type A, 1 x USB 3.1 Type C, 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x Optical, 8-Channel Audio Ports/ Realtek ALC892/ Intel I219-V	2 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, 1 CPU Fan or (4-pin), 1 CPU OPT Fan (4-pin), 1 Water Pump header (4-pin), 4 Chassis Fan, 1 Front panel audio, 1 x BIOS Flashback, 1 S/PDIF out header, 1 Thunderbolt header (5-pin), 1 TPM, 1 COM port, 1 24-pin EATX Power, 1 8-pin EATX 12V Power, 1 System Panel(Q-Connector), 1 MemOK! button, 1 Clear CMOS jumper, 1 DRCT(Direct Key), 1 TPU switch (advanced two-stage adjustments), 1 x EZ XMP switch, 1 Power-on button, 1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price
MSI Z170A PC Mate		ATX/ Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3200 OC	2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots / 4 x SATA 6Gb/s, 1 x SATAe ports (PCIe3.0), 1 x M.2 ports	1 x PS/2 port, 1 x DVI port, 1 x DVI port, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 / Realtek ALC887, 7.1 Audio Channels / Realtek RTL8111H	2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.1 Gen1, 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector, 1 8-pin ATX 12V power connector, 2 4-pin CPU fan, 3 4-pin system fan, 1 x Front panel audio, 1 System panel. 1 TPM module, 1 Parallel port , 1 x Chassis Intrusion, 1 x Clear CMOS jumper, 3 x Debug Code LED	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price
Gigabyte GA-Z170 HD3		ATX/ Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3300 OC	1 x PCI Express x16 slot, 2 x PCI Express x1 slots / 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors, 3 x SATA Express connectors, 1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector	1 x PS/2 port, 1 x D-Sub port, 1 x DVI-D port, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 4 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 6 x audio jacks / Realtek ALC887, 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel/ Realtek GbE LAN chip	2 USB 3.0 headers, 2 USB 2.0 headers, 1 x 24-pin ATX main power, 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power, 1 x CPU fan header, 3 system fan headers, 1 front panel header, 1 front panel audio header, 1 S/PDIF Out header, 1 Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header, 1 Thunderbolt™ add-in card, 1 serial port header, 1 parallel port header, 1 Clear CMOS jumper	Check Amazon Price Check Newegg Price

Some 1151 Motherboards Get:

The Skylake 1151 platform introduces 6 new chipsets including the H110, B150, Q150, H170, A170, and Z170. It’s compatible with Skylake as well as Kaby Lake Intel processors. While Wikipedia does a good job of showing some of the main differences between the compatibility of these chipsets, here are some key points worth looking at. The Kaby Lake 1151 platform includes the B250, Q250, H270, Q270, and Z270 chipsets. Below you’ll find a list of our favorite Skylake boards. Go here for our list of the top Z270 Kaby Lake Motherboards.

DDR3 and DDR4 Support: Some LGA 1151 motherboards support DDR3 while others support DDR4. Unidimm support never really took off. DDR4 support beyond 2133MHz is only found on Z170 motherboards.

Additional USB 3.0 Ports: With the Z170 chipset 10 / 14 USB ports may be USB 3.0 depending on what manufacturers take advantage of.

Alpine Ridge Controller: With 4 PCIe lanes the Alpine Ridge controller offers support for USB 3.1, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort and is found on only some 1151 motherboards. Expect to pay a small premium for boards that offer these options.

Other Thoughts: A Z97 system may ultimately provide more frames for gamers if they’re able to find a cheap and good Z97 board on rebate and go with the less expensive Haswell CPU options. That being said, most will still prefer to go with the newer platform.

Best 1151 Skylake / Kaby Lake Motherboards for the Money 2018

While we have yet to have a look at how all the 1151 motherboards compare when it comes to overclocking, here are a few boards that have been reviewed and seem to be a good value. Too much money? Also, be sure to check out our list of the best budget motherboards from $50 to $150.

Good Z170 Motherboards Under or Around Budgets of $200

Asus ROG Maximus VIII Hero

I’ve been impressed with Asus’ mid-range Maximus HERO Board entry ever since its Hero VI launch for Haswell’s Z87 chipset. The Maximus HERO VIII looks to build upon that.

Since its release, this board has received the TweakTown Best Overclocking Award as well as Guru3d’s recommendation. While I’ll admit that overclocking at this price level is fairly similar across brands, it’s features like 5-way optimization, 2nd generation T-Topology, and SupremeFX 2015 audio that really set this board apart.

One rather unique part of the audio is that this time around it includes an ESS ES9023P DAC that can power headsets from 32-600 ohms for optimal sound quality. This should give gamers the volume and environment they’re looking for. For networking, the Hero VIII uses Gamefirst III. This technology prioritizes game-related packets in order to eliminate laggy gameplay.

	ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII HERO LGA1151 Z170 ATX Motherboard If you're looking for a motherboard in the $200 price range, this is what I'd get. It looks great, it's from a brand you can trust, and has plenty of features.

Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD5

The Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD5 is a motherboard we recently added to this list because of its many connectivity options for the price. If you’re looking for a configuration that gives you more than what the standard Intel configuration gives, this might just be the board you’re looking for. They’ve added a second NIC and two more SATA ports.

In addition to its plethora of connectivity options, Gigabyte uses All Direct Intel USB 3.0/3.1. The choices they’ve made here are very workstation friendly. That being said the board also comes with plenty of overclocking features like a POST code display and voltage read points along with other standard features. Of course, you also have your standard overclocking button if you’d prefer not to do your own tweaking.

Now that this board has been out for a while we’re giving it a thumbs up as it simply gives you more features for a reasonable price of around $189. If you want a well-built board from a manufacturer that didn’t skimp on the quality simply to add numbers, go with the Gigabyte GA-Z170X-UD5.

Also, consider the Gigabyte GA-Z170X Gaming 7 as a recent entry to the under $200 price point category. It’s regularly in that price range and often goes lower with rebates.

MSI Z170A Gaming M7

MSI’s recent releases in both the GPU and motherboard world have impressed me greatly. Their $200 release into the Z170 market and Hero VIII competitor is their M7 Gaming motherboard. It recently received an Editor’s Choice award from TechPowerUp and shines with its compatibility and competitive pricing. Highlights include USB 3.1, Twin Turbo M.2, and Dual SATA Express compatibility as well as automated overclocking with the Game Boost Dial and one Killer E2400 Gigabit jack. Overall it’s worth a look in the $200 to $230 price range. Look for additional features in the table below.

ASRock Fatl1ty

Another entry to consider in the highly competitive $200 Z170 market is the ASRock Fatal1ty. Other than its amazing aesthetics ASRock’s focus on graphics is what sets this board apart. The motherboard itself allows for two triple slotted GPUs in either SLI or CrossfireX.

Z170 Motherboards Under $150

Asus Z170-A Motherboard

If you’re looking for a less expensive mid-range board that still has a lot of features of the $200 plus boards, the Asus Z170-A is a good place to start. Even overclockers will find that Asus’ $150 to $165 entry is more than enough for most builder’s needs. Most builders will gravitate towards this sort of board vs. some of the premium boards listed above and for the average overclocker, I can’t blame them.

Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3

While it’s not new I felt like this list needed to be updated with the Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 3 which is probably the bestselling Z170 motherboard in the under $150 category right now.  It supports M.2 and SATA Express while still maintaining a price that’s affordable for the mid to entry-level PC builder.

In addition, the color scheme works with a lot of builds out there. It’s definitely one you should be looking at in this price point.

Overall this motherboard gives you 95% of what many boards twice its price do in terms of performance. Most people wouldn’t even notice the difference.

Z170 1151 Motherboards Under $120

MSI Z170A PC Mate

I liked MSI’s previous Z97 PC Mate because of its low price, ability to overclock, and overall quality. The Z170A follows suit with a $120 price point, OC Genie 4, and still plenty of features. Our shortlist includes 2 PCIe 3.0 x 16 slots, 2 USB 3.1, 6 USB 3.0, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. It’s a great board for standard users or those who want to do a light overclock.

Gigabyte GA-Z170 HD3

My choice at this price range would ultimately be between the PC mate (shown above) and the Gigabyte GA-Z170 HD3. Gigabyte’s boards in this price range have been a favorite of mine for several generations. Good quality, lots of features, and a decent ability to overclock. This board is no different.

If there’s one con to this board vs. the PC mate, it’s that the PC Mate has support for USB 3.1 and more PCI Express slots at a price point of only $5 more than the HD3. On the other hand, the HD3 has more SATA 6GB/s and SATA Express connectors.  Overall, you’ll have to decide which brand you trust more and which features mean more to you. Want something smaller? Here’s a look at our favorite Z170 and Z70 Mini-ITX Motherboards.