SFF.Network EVGA's Z270 Stinger motherboard launched

We've covered the 200-series boards from most of the big motherboard companies, but now we're taking a quick look at EVGA's offering, the Z270 Stinger.

Read more here.

 

[EdZ]

Some of EVGA’s marketing material says the USB 3.1 is running of the Z270 PCH which is incorrect, the Intel 200-series chipsets do not support USB 3.1.

Z2xx (and Z1xx) does have native USB 3.1 support: USB 3.1 Gen 1, AKA USB 3.0. So EVGA could be technically correct in ambiguously calling it USB 3.1 (implying Gen 2) while the ports themselves only operate at USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds.
However, the rear I/O shield is slapped with the USB SS10 logo next to the Type C & A port stack, so it will indeed have an extra controller hanging out under one of the heatsinks.

FFS USB-IF, that renaming scheme was moronic.

 

[jeshikat]

I thought about that, but they clearly label the other ports as "USB 3.0" and I don't think EVGA is that scummy.

 

[pyxls]

Why is U.2 a bad thing?

 

[confusis]

Very limited availability for drives that support it, plus the clunky, oversized connector.

 

[Vittra]

I understand the inclusion - provide a bit of versatility over 2x M.2. Realistically though, the implementation of the connector/cable just doesn't suit SFF ITX rigs at all... M.2 drives are a much cleaner solution.

 

[Phuncz]

In my opinion it would be an excellent connector alongside M.2 if:
a. there were more products than one Intel SSD
b. the power would be included through the motherboard connector

 

[|||]

Supposedly the Intel Optane drives will initially be available in U.2 form factor only. However they have been delayed, so who knows now...

 

[Vittra]

I haven't really followed anything for months - have been too busy. I was under the impression the benefit of Optane was DIMM implementation, so I was fairly surprised when I saw it was being introduced on Kaby Lake via M.2 certified slots. When I saw a picture of the Asus Z270 Apex I assumed that DIMM slot was for Optane, but upon reading it was a proprietary solution to use a riser card for 2x M.2

U.2 implementation would be curious.

Edit - typos

 

[|||]

The density of Optane isn't super high right now. I think they are getting up to 32GB on a 2242 M.2 card at the moment in the Lenovo Thinkpads. U.2 would allow for many chips to be populated in the space of a 2.5" drive form factor, although it would be $$$$.