Best Motherboard for i7 8700k: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Gigabyte has a reputation for manufacturing high-quality Mini-ITX motherboards.

It brings this reputation even further by creating a Mini-ITX board under the Aorus brand.

When looking for a Mini-ITX board for the i7 8700K, the Z390 I Aorus Pro is a better board than the MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC.

Review

If you plan to build a small high-performance PC rig with the Intel Core i7 8700K processor, the Gigabyte Z390 I Aorus Pro Wi-Fi motherboard is up to the task.

It may be compact, but it packs plenty of serious features.

Most importantly, you won’t have to worry about upgrading from the Intel Core i7 8700K processor, as it can also support the i9 9900K.

• Memory Slots

Among all the options here, the Gigabyte Z390 I Aorus Pro Wi-Fi has the least DIMM slots.

Its small size only allows it to sport two DDR4 slots, each allowing a 32GB module for a total RAM capacity of 64GB.

Although it may be fewer than those on other boards here, its dual-channel memory architecture allows RAM overclocking up to 4400MHz depending on the CPU.

These memory slots only support non-ECC UDIMM and XMP modules. ECC UDIMMs will operate in non-ECC mode.

• Expansion Slots

Another setback for this smaller board is the lack of expansion options.

It only has a single PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, which is enough for a reliable graphics card.

However, it lacks a secondary multiple-lane PCIe socket that should enable multi-graphics options.

You will find an M.2 socket connector, but it will only support the included wireless module.

• Storage Interface

While the Gigabyte Z390 I Aorus Pro Wi-Fi has minimal venues for component population, it sports four SATA 6Gb/s slots and two M.2 sockets for SSDs M2M and M2P.

The M2P M.2 slot will disable some SATA functionality.

The SATA slots allow RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, and the M.2 sockets accept Intel Optane Memory modules.

• Options for System Cooling

The 6-phase VRM solution should be enough for this small Mini-ITX board with its enormous heatsinks.

Moreover, a CPU fan header and two system fan connectors should be enough to deliver airflow throughout the small board.

• Connectivity and Other Features

Albeit smaller than the Z390 Gaming X, the Gigabyte Z390 I Aorus Pro Wi-Fi offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on top of Ethernet connectivity.

It uses an Intel GbE LAN chip and an Intel CNVi interface Wi-Fi 802.11.

Furthermore, the board provides better aesthetic lighting and audio options than the Z390 Gaming X.

It sports a Realtek ALC1220-VB codec with SDS and S/PDIF support, and it has a digital LED strip header, a power-select jumper, and an RGB LED connector.

Back panel connectors include a USB Type-C, five USB 3.1 ports, an HDMI, and a DisplayPort.

Additionally, the internal connectors enable TPM, Clear CMOS, chassis intrusion warnings, and additional front panel USBs.

Asus is the world’s biggest motherboard brand, responsible for creating high-end products for various applications.

The Asus Prime Q370M-C/CSM sits on a different platform than the Z390 chipset motherboards.

While many high-quality motherboards have extensive features revolving around competitive gaming, computers also need to make a stand in the corporate setting.

Review

The Prime Q370M-C/CSM is a business motherboard that offers features for security, stability, and effortless manageability.

It can bring your business to a whole new level by providing enhanced features for smooth IT operations.

You can deploy this motherboard for all of your business needs, as it can provide comprehensive system protection, 24/7 reliability, and customizable management features.

This motherboard comes with the Asus Control Center, a server-grade IT management software from the Asus Corporate Stable Model (CSM).

• Memory Slots

The Asus Prime Q370M-C/CSM has four DDR4 DIMM slots, but each can only carry 16GB modules for a maximum RAM capacity of 64GB.

While it does not use a dual-channel memory architecture, you can randomize memory settings using Intel XMP.

• Expansion Slots

The expansion slots on the Asus Prime Q370M-C/CSM motherboard include a PCIe 3.0 x16, two PCIe 3.0 x2, and one PCI.

The x16 slot allows you to attach a high-performing graphics card, while the smaller slots let you add better video, sound, and networking capabilities.

• Storage Interface

The Asus Prime Q370M-C/CSM reduces memory and expansion options like the Z390 I Aorus Pro Wi-Fi. Still, it does not hold back on storage options.

It has six SATA 6Gb/s ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10, and two Intel Optane Memory Ready M.2 sockets.

One M.2 socket supports both SATA and PCIe mode, while the other only uses PCIe.

• Options for System Cooling

Upon studying the Prime Q370M-C/CSM board for the first time, you will notice it does not have the massive heatsinks and VRMs present in gaming-intensive motherboards.

This board shifts focus from extensive cooling to exceptional-grade security.

Nevertheless, you will still find a basic CPU fan connector and two system fan headers for adequate cooling.

• Connectivity and Other Features

The Prime Q370M-C/CSM has an Intel I219LM Gigabit LAN controller for Ethernet, but it does not have a wireless module.

Note that internal connections include an M.2 slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.

If you look at the board’s design, you will find that it purely means business. It is quite plain, does not have any attractive colors, and lacks RGB lighting.

The best features of the Prime Q370M-C/CSM include several legacy ports that still offer convenience in an office setting.

It has an LPT header, a COM port, PS/2 ports, a D-Sub, a DisplayPort, an HDMI, and some audio jacks.

In any motherboard comparison looking at a whole stretch of features, any of the ROG Strix boards can outshine its competitors.

We often associate Asus and the Republic of Gamers (ROG) with high-end, pro-grade hardware directed towards enthusiasts and competitive eSports gamers.

The Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming motherboard is jam-packed with top-tier components that can easily set it apart from other Z390 chipset boards.

Review

The Z390 chipset motherboards hit the shelves with the primary purpose of adding better connectivity than the Z370 chipset.

With the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming motherboard, those features are just a small part of its provisions.

However, this wide array of features comes with a hefty price tag for some budget-oriented PC builders.

Component ratings that soar across the board only justify its price point and enforce the ROG Strix brand reputation.

RELATED: Motherboard for i7 4790k (Guide)

• Memory Slots

The Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming board has four DDR4 DIMM slots.

While it uses a dual-channel memory architecture, it can only hold a maximum of 64GB non-ECC UDIMMs.

These memory slots support Intel XMP customization.

• Expansion Slots

The Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming has very similar options for expansion as the MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC.

It sports three x16 PCIe 3.0 slots, two running at x16 or dual x8 and one running at x4 max.

Additionally, it has three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for other expansion cards.

With the multiple x16 slots, you can enable multi-GPU support for NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX technologies.

• Storage Interface

Storage options are also very similar to those of the MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC.

Choose from six SATA 6Gb/s (with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10) and two M.2 slots (one with SATA, PCIe, and Intel Optane Memory support, and the other with PCIe).

• Options for System Cooling

The Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming board offers comprehensive cooling options.

It has dual onboard M.2 heatsinks, a water-pump header, a MOS fan with bracket, a fan extension header, a CPU fan connector, a CPU OPT fan, and a thermal sensor header.

• Connectivity and Other Features

For connectivity, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming board sports the Intel I219V with Anti-surge LANGuard and ROG GameFirst Technology.

It also has an Intel Wireless-AC 9560, providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for the best wireless experience.

This board provides the best audio experience among all of the choices here.

It has a ROG SupremeFX8-Channel HD audio with dual headphone amplifiers, shielding technology, high-quality playback, and multi-streaming.

As for other internal and back panel connectors, the Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming boasts many extras for aesthetics and other functions except for legacy ports.