Best z370 Motherboard for i7 8700k – A Buyer’s Guide

If you’re a build fanatic or are looking to purchase a prebuilt computer system that you can expand or overclock, then you must pay extra attention to the motherboard. 

After rounding up different models, we compared, analyzed and then reviewed the best motherboards for i7 8700k. All the five mainboards use Z370 chipsets.

Looking to buy a motherboard for Intel Core i7 8700k to put together your PC? Then we have you covered.

Top Pick - GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS

Engineered with Z370 chipset, GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 is compatible with all 8th Gen Intel Core Processor. Its M.2 Thermal Guard, as well as the 9 temperature sensors, help to effectively dissipate heat ensuring that the system remains cool and the performance is at the peak.
Its Turbo-Block Clock allows for easy overclocking. The RGB lighting ensures that your system is illuminated. And there’s much more!

GIGABYTE

Best Motherboard for i7 8700k – A Buyer’s Guide

1. ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING

Strix-Gaming

Transform and personalize your gaming experience with the ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING. Engineered with Intel Z370 chipset, this motherboard has been designed exclusively for use with 8th Gen Intel Core Processors.

ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING comes integrated with 3 PCIe x16 slots that make it possible to expand various components such as the graphics and RAID cards. The motherboard has Intel LGA 1151 socket, which means it’ll support i7 8700k. It has 4 memory slots, 4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB DDR4

If you’re looking to overclock, this motherboard doesn’t limit you. A single click is all that’s need to overclock and get your system chilled. Its 5-way Optimization complete with Auto-Tuning plus FanXpert 4 will not only optimize the most vital aspects of your system but also get it to cool down.

The motherboard features M.2 heatsink that’s integrated into the PHC heatsink. M-2 heatsink has an extended cooling surface that effectively cools down the inserted M.2 SSD for enhanced and consistent performance.

Enjoy insane connectivity and speed with ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING. The motherboard supports Dual 802.11ac Wi-Fi & Gigabit LAN for wireless and wired internet connectivity. It’s also compatible with USB 3.1 and Intel Optane Memory. Use the Bluetooth 4.2 to pair your system with other Bluetooth enabled devices.

ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING comes with the ASUS exclusive AURA Sync RGB lighting. The built-in RGB LEDs and strips hook to the onboard RGB headers and allow for full control over the lighting. Immerse yourself into a new world of illumination possible by hooking the pair of onboard 5050 RGB headers plus an addressable RGB header to the fans, lighting strips, the cooler and even your PC cases.

The motherboard ports matter and ROG Strix Z370-E GAMING doesn’t disappoint. It features DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4b and DVI-D. And for superior quality audio, the motherboard comes with 8-channel HD audio complete with dual headphone amplifiers. This is our best z370 motherboard pick! 

         Pros

  • Customizable GB lighting
  • Overclocking possible
  • Great expansion potential
  • Exceptional connectivity

Cons

  • Wi-Fi would have been better

2. GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7

AORUS Gaming

As a gaming enthusiast, or a builder, you want a motherboard capable of delivering the best performance and Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 will offer value for money. The ATX motherboard uses a Z370 chipset and supports 8th Gen Core Processors.

Optimize your system’s potential with the Triple PCIe Gen 3 x4.2 M.2. Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 comes integrated with M.2 Thermal Guard which reduces and dissipates heat effectively preventing throttling and bottlenecks, thereby ensuring peak performance.

AORUS AMP-UP audio integrates ESS SABRE DAC. With this motherboard for your build, you have access to a classic audio system with powerful audio and dynamic range.

If you’re looking to overclock the system, then Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 has you covered. With its Turbo-Block Clock, overclocking should be hassle-free.

Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 also brings surround lighting to the mix. Use the RGB fusion lighting app to customize each motherboard’s zone. It supports RGB LEDs and grants access to more than 16 million colors.

The Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 motherboard supports Dual Armor as well as the Ultra-Durable Design Killer E2500 Gaming network plus Intel Gigabit LAN USB DAC-UP 2.

What’s more, Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 sports the Smart Fan 5 Technology. Equipped with 9 temperature sensors, your PC will perform at peak while at the same time staying cool.

In regards to connectivity, Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 doesn’t let down. It features an onboard USB Type C header for USB 3.1 Gen2 that you can use to connect your USB drive or even charge devices.

Also integrated on the Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 motherboard are graphics output options that include HDMI and DisplayPort.

With 4 memory slots, the best z370 motherboard supports 4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB DDR4. And to enhance the possibilities, it comes with 3 PCIe x 16 slots. It supports CPUs with LGA 1151 sockets.

           Pros

  • Excellent connectivity options
  • Cool customizable RGB lighting
  • Triple M.2 Support for peak performance
  • Remarkable sound property

        Cons

  • Lacks onboard Wi-Fi

3. ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero

ASUS ROG

Featuring LGA 1151 socket, ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero has been designed to support Intel 8th Generation Core Processors.

It been engineered using Intel z370 Chipset and features 4 memory slots, 4 x DIMM max 64GB DDR4 4133+ (OC) MHz. The board comes integrated with DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4b. Charge and connect your devices using the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A and Type C Connectors. It also has 3 PCIe x16 slots that allow for component expansion.

ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero has ASUS 5-Way Optimization complete with Auto-Tuning plus FanExpert 4 that enhances your PC’s intelligence. With just one click, it optimizes the most integral aspects of the system effectively offering customized overclocking and cooling.

ROG Maximus X Hero features an elegant angular M.2 Heatsink that keeps your SSD cool. The motherboard dissipates the heat that’s notorious for triggering performance throttling from the M.2 area.

ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero comes incorporated with SupremeX Audio technology featuring dual headphone amplifiers. It renders remarkable 113dB signal to noise ratio right on the line-in connection. Together with the Sonic Studio III, the SupremeX Audio technology work to deliver superior audio.

Crafted with 2x2 dual-band 2.4/5GHz antennas, ROG Maximus X Hero supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-Mimo. It also has Bluetooth 4.2.

And with the addressable AURA Sync RGB lighting, you’re a couple of steps away from achieving excellent illumination on your system.

         Pros

  • Outstanding audio quality
  • Excellent connectivity options
  • Cool RGB lighting
  • Allows overclocking

      Cons

  • Lacks thermal sensors

4. ASRock LGA Intel Z370 TAICHI

ASRock LGA

Truth be told, most of us build enthusiasts will, almost all the time, go for the ASUS motherboards. But if you're upgrading to i7 8700k, ASRock brings you an incredible motherboard, ASRock LGA Intel Z370.

ASRock LGA Intel Z370 has been designed to support all the 8th Generation Intel Core Processors with socket 1151.

Featuring 4 memory slots, this ATX motherboard supports DDR4 4333+ (OC). It’s Intel Optane Memory Ready. Also, the motherboard comes with graphics output options – HDMI and DisplayPort.

And to make it easy to hook and even charge your devices conveniently, ASRock LGA Intel Z370 3 USB Type 3.1 Gen 2, including USB Type C. 

ASRock LGA Intel Z370 is about to transform your gaming and entertainment experiences. It comes equipped with 7.1 CH HD Audio and with support for Purity Sound 4 and DTS Connect.

The motherboard features integrated dual Intel Gigabit LAN. For wireless connectivity, ASRock LGA Intel Z370 incorporates Intel 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.  

What’s more, ASRock LGA Intel Z370 features a cool ASRock RGB LED. The property produces sleek LED lighting that illuminates your build.

Pros

  • RGB lighting
  • Remarkable sound quality
  • Excellent connectivity
  • Handles overclocking

      Cons

  • Isolated complaints regarding Wi-Fi

5. ASRock Z370 EXTREME4

ASRock

We present you another motherboard by ASRock, the ASRock Z370 EXTREME4. It’s among the best motherboard out there guaranteed to bring value for money.

The motherboard has been designed to work with all 8th Gen Intel Core Processors featuring Intel 1151 socket. It features 4 memory DDR4 DIMM slots.

ASRock Z370 EXTREME4 sports a robust design that packs a 12 Power Phase Digital PWM design, solid motherboard cooling capabilities and much more. It been designed to allow for high overclocking as well as the enhanced stability of memory, PCIe devices and the CPU.

With the Realtek and DTS Connect, ASRock Z370 EXTREME4 motherboard boasts excellent audio.

Even more, the motherboard comes with 2 sets of 10GB/s USB ports – USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A and USB 2.1 Gen 2 Type C. It lacks USB 2.0.

And for more connectivity, ASRock Z370 EXTREME4 supports HDMI with max, DVI-D with max and D-Sub with max. With DVI-D and HDMI ports, the motherboard will support 4K UHD playback.

      Pros

  • Reasonable overclocking capabilities
  • Excellent performance
  • Sleek RGB lighting

    Cons

  • Lacks error code readout

Ideal Motherboards for I7 8700k – A Simple Buyer’s Guide

The motherboard is the most integral part of your computer system build. It creates a platform upon which the various components communicate and offers a wide variety of connectors for CPU, storage, and GPU.

Before settling on any particular motherboard, you have to make sure it meets your needs for today and the future. Here are the factors to consider when picking your motherboard;

The CPU Socket

In this case, the platform (Intel or AMD) is not a major consideration as we’re focusing solely on Intel processors and in particular i7 8700k.

Before all else, think about the CPU you plan to pair with your mainboard. A motherboard features CPU socket designed to work with a particular chip line only.

CPUs feature various socket types. LGA 1150 sockets support a wide range of Intel processors, including Celeron, i3s up to i7s. The latest Intel 8th Gen Core processors use LGA 1151v2 sockets. In short, the board you select must match the processor’s socket.

Form Factor

Motherboards come in three main sizes – ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. Understand that Mini-ATX is the smallest.

The larger the motherboard is, the more components it can support. Be sure to check that your case has enough space to fit your motherboard.

And while the micro and min motherboards models will fit smaller chassis, it will mean settling for a reduced number of connectors such as PCIe slots, and RAM banks.

GPU Support

Almost every Intel motherboard comes with integrated GPU that offers a means to output visual information on the display. If you run less graphic-demanding tasks, then the already-integrated GPU will work just fine. 

But if you do video editing, gaming or graphics design, which demand high-level visual accuracy, then the integrated motherboard may not support these. Know the types and number of aftermarket GPUs the motherboard can support for the intended purpose.

Plans for Overclocking?

If you plan to overclock, the Z370 chipset motherboards we recommend are your best bet. But for CPUs with higher clock speeds, a high-end motherboard with enhanced cooling features will come into play.

The Expansion Slots

You’ll come across two expansion slots – the shorter PCIe x1 slots (expands SATA, USB, etc.) and the longer PCIe x16 for expanding GPUs and Raid cards. If you plan to plug multiple drivers and cards into the system, then consider a high-end ATX or even a micro-ATX motherboard.

Number of Ports

Don’t forget to check the I/O area of the motherboard to make sure it has the external connection interfaces you need. Motherboard support interfaces for USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB Type–C.

If you plan on using integrated graphics, check that the mainboard has incorporated HDMI/DisplayPort video out. For headphones and speakers, audio ports should be present. PS/2 ports will help with connect old keyboards and mice.

While it's rare to find a motherboard with Thunderbolt 3, some boards are designed to support it through dedicated add-on cards. Thunderbolt 3 allows for fast connections up to 40Gbps.

Integrated Add-Ons

Wireless networking and Bluetooth connectivity are two crucial considerations. The motherboard should come with these features already soldered so that drivers are all you’ll need to get running.

The Bottom Line                  

If you’re a build enthusiast or are looking to overclock your existing Intel i7 8700k processor, a powerful Z370 is not optional. There are lots of aspects to consider when choosing a motherboard. The socket type, form factor (size), possibility of overclocking, port options and expansion slots are just a few of those. We hope you’ve identified an excellent motherboard that will work best with your i7 8700k CPU.

Originally posted 2021-01-19 14:18:49.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments

Leave a Reply: