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Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard Released, See Features and Specifications

Aside from the ROG Maximus VIII motherboards, the company also announced the Asus Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard, designed for gamers who are in a budget. The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard is built with the essential gaming features geared towards PC gamers, but lacks some of the advanced features that the ROG Maximus VIII motherboards have. It’s also a more affordable solution compared to the ROG series, but is still a very much capable gaming motherboard. The Z170 Pro Gaming is based on the new Intel Z170 Express chipset with socket LGA1151, and is designed for the latest 6th Generation Intel Skylake processors. Check out its features and specifications from the official news below.

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard Features

ASUS today announced Z170 Pro Gaming, an ATX gaming motherboard packed with many exclusive features optimized for the best gaming experience and incorporating multiple performance-boosting overclocking technologies – and the first product in the new ASUS Pro Gaming series. Pro Gaming motherboards are designed for today’s modern value-conscious consumers, who demand affordability and the very best technology. Every Pro Gaming motherboard features multiple ASUS-exclusive innovations to unleash the full gaming-performance potential.

The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming delivers flawless gaming audio with SupremeFX and Sonic Radar II, plus superior gaming networking and speed with Intel Gigabit Ethernet, LANGuard, GameFirst and RAMCache technologies. The new motherboard even protects itself and the gamer with Gamer’s Guardian components and multiple smart DIY features.

Based on the new Intel Z170 chipset, Z170 Pro Gaming’s ASUS-exclusive performance-enhancing features include 5-Way Optimization auto-tuning technology for instant speed boosts, second-generation T-Topology for next-level DDR4 memory overclocking, and Pro Clock technology for turbo-charged base-clock (BCLK) frequencies.

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Features and Specifications

Built to game: SupremeFX, Sonic Radar II, Intel Ethernet, LANGuard, GameFirst and RAMCache
The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming has SupremeFX audio technology built in with a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 115dB for near-lossless audio quality and premium Nichicon audio capacitors for warmer, natural sounds.

SupremeFX is engineered with effective shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference, preserving the integrity of audio signals for the best quality. It also has a 300-ohm-headphone amplifier to drive some of the very best headphones available for exceptional, immersive gaming audio and music-listening. The illuminated red-line shielding is even customizable, enabling the user to create eye-catching lighting effects.

For a helping hand on the battlefield, Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to, all managed via a simple control panel and customizable game list. This allows the player to see the direction and origin of key in-game sounds, and practice enemy-pinpointing skill. It also includes exclusive Audio Enhancement technology to clarify every blast.

The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming has the very latest Intel Gigabit Ethernet (i219-V) integrated to reduce CPU overhead and deliver exceptionally-high TCP and UDP throughput, freeing up more computing power for gaming and gameplay. It also has ASUS-exclusive LANGuard with signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted to ensure reliable connections and better throughput, plus electrostatically-guarded and surge-protected components (ESD Guards) for 1.9X-greater tolerance to static electricity and 2.5X-greater protection (up to 15KV) against surges.

Lag-banishing GameFirst technology prioritizes game-related data packets and allocates more bandwidth to games and favorite apps, eliminating laggy online gameplay, streaming stutters and file-sharing slowdown. GameFirst technology has multiple presets, including Optimization, Game, Media Streaming or File Sharing – so it takes just one click to get up to full speed.

The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming’s uniquely-intelligent RAMCache technology effectively caches an entire storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds, getting to work the moment it’s activated. RAMCache turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times to stratospheric levels, and minimizes risk of data loss.

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming-01

Built to perform: 5-Way Optimization, second-gen T-Topology and Pro Clock technology
The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming’s 5-Way Optimization technology provides instant, highly-controllable performance boosts. This exclusive tool dynamically optimizes ASUS TPU (TurboV Processing Unit), EPU (Energy Processing Unit) and Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM), Fan Xpert 3 and Turbo App technologies for precision-enhanced performance and efficiency, and all with a single click. Performance is smoother, energy use is lowered, power is ultra-stable, operation is cooler and fans are quieter.

The new motherboard also has second-generation ASUS T-Topology built in, enabling users to take DDR4 memory overclocking to new heights: up to 3466MHz is possible with all memory slots populated. Featuring a customized trace layout for reduced crosstalk and coupling noise, second-generation T-Topology ensures time-aligned signal transfer for improved memory stability and compatibility.

The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming includes Pro Clock technology, a dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator designed for 6th-generation Intel processors that allows overclocked base-clock frequencies up to 400MHz. This custom solution works in tandem with the ASUS TPU to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control. Boot times can be reduced, jitter is lowered and stability is increased under heavy overclocking – providing an exciting new way to boost performance to the extreme.

Built to protect: Gamer’s Guardian components and smart DIY features
The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming has loads of self-defenses called Gamer’s Guardian, including the Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) for ultra-smooth and ultra-clean power delivery to the CPU, DRAM Overcurrent Protection with resettable fuses to prevent overcurrent and short-circuit damage, and superior chokes.

It also has durable capacitors engineered to resist extreme temperature variations of between -55°C and 105°C – 110% better than the industry standard – and a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel input/output (I/O) panel that lasts three times (3X) longer than ordinary panels.

Smart DIY features include the pin-protecting CPU Installation Tool, one-clip Q-Slot graphics card installation and Q-DIMM memory slots with one-sided clips for super-simple, super-secure handling of memory modules. Q-Shield prevents nicks and cuts during building, while four Q-LED lamps indicate problems with the CPU, memory, graphics card or boot device for quick diagnosis.

ASUS ESD Guards actively protect against sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD), ensuring USB ports, audio and LAN port protection that’s up to twice as resilient as industry standards.

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming-02

Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard Specifications

SpecificationsZ170 Pro Gaming
ChipsetZ170
Form FactorStandard ATX
Memory Slots / Maximum4 / 64GB DDR4
Memory Frequency (MHz)3400+ MHz (OC)
Integrated Graphics OutputDisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, VGA
PCIe 3.0/2.0 x162
Multi-GPU Support2-Way SLI / CrossFireX
PCIe x41 (x16 size)
PCIe x13
PCI0
SATA 6Gbps (incl. SATA Express)6
SATA Express1
M.2 / Max Length1 / 22110
U.2Hyper Kit Compatible
WiFi and BluetoothNo
Gigabit EthernetIntel I219-V
4-pin PWB Fan Headers5
Dedicated Water Pump HeaderNo
Ext. Fan Hub SupportYes
USB 3.1 (Type C/A)1 / 1
USB 3.0 (Rear / Internal)4 / 2
USB 2.0 (Rear / Internal)8
Audio CodecSupremeFX
Optical S/PDIF OutYes
DTS SupportNo
5-Way OptimizationYes
ASUS PRO Clock Extended BCLK RangeYes
5x ProtectionYes
Networking SoftwareGameFirst
FeaturesEZ Flash 3
USB 3.1 Boost
Ai Charger+
EZ XMP
Front Base Support

Price and Availability

Asus has not disclosed the current retail pricing of the new Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard yet. But it is expected to become available in the following days to come. I’ll try to update this post as soon as the said motherboard will appear on popular online stores.

Asus Z170i Pro Gaming mini-ITX Motherboard

Aside from the full-sized ATX Pro Gaming, Asus will also be releasing a mini-ITX version of the said motherboard, called the Asus Z170i Pro Gaming. Asus hasn’t released this one yet, but looking at the picture below will give you an idea of what this motherboard is all about.

Asus Z170i Pro Gaming

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Author
Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.

3 thoughts on “Asus Z170 Pro Gaming Motherboard Released, See Features and Specifications”

    • That’s actually what they said on their press release. Not my own words.
      Probably they meant the first Pro Gaming based on the 100 series chipset. They might release another gaming series motherboard based on the same chipset series.

      Reply

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