SFF.Network [SFF Network] Intel Z170 motherboards launch

Intel’s new Skylake platform partially launches today, starting at the high-end with two new CPUs (the i7-6700K and i5-6600K) and new motherboards based on the Z170 chipset. The rest of the CPU lineup and the other motherboard chipsets will be released at a later date.

Read more here

 

[EdZ]

I'd rather have a nice effective copper pin-grid than the fancy-looking but less effective aluminium extrusion on the Fatality version.

 

[veryrarium]

I would agree with EdZ on the pin-grid part for preferring a heatsink with more effective heat transfer over ones with mostly flat surface, but I have doubts that those chipset heatsinks on Z170M-ITXac, Z170M Pro4, and Z170M Pro4S are made of copper.

 

[confusis]

They'll be anodised aluminium much like most current heatsinks.

 

[jeshikat]

Modern Intel chipsets generate so little heat I don't think it much matters.

 

[Phuncz]

You'd think they would, with possibly 20 PCIe 3.0 lanes going through that sucker. Nonetheless, it still amazes me no brand has gone and done a all-performance with zero tackyness board. I'd like to see a black one with all copper pin-grid heatsinks. Hmm the EVGA X99 Micro 2 might be a good contender, but the height might be an issue.

 

[veryrarium]

Aiboh, this Czech article contains a few decent res Z170I Pro Gaming photos:
http://www.cnews.cz/clanky/asus-tec...redstaveni-novych-desek-pro-skylake-v-londyne
Assuming the same coloring scheme as on the ATX Pro Gaming, two USB3.1 Type A ports but no Type C on the rear.

 

[jeshikat]

Nice find, confirms the M.2 slot on the backside. That's disappointing that there are no Type-C ports, makes me all the more interested in see what all connectivity options the Impact will have.

 

[Armourcore9brker]

Will I ever get an 8 SATA port mITX board that can actually hold a normal desktop CPU?

 

[EdZ]

Once Skylake Xeons arrive, there will likely be a handful of server/workstation boards (probably from ASRock) with a pile of SATA ports that can take consumer Skylake CPUs. Probably won't be cheap though, and might be a bit of a wait: ETA for Xeon E3-1200v5 series chips is 2H 2015, and the C230 chipset hasn't been officially announced or specced either.

 

[jeshikat]

A pic of the MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC has surfaced and it looks very nice: http://gigglehd.com/zbxe/13250971

 

[EdZ]

There are what look like mounting holes for reverse-side standoffs, so the board may have a rear m.2 slot in a similar position to other boards.

 

[jeshikat]

I noticed those too. While I'm glad there's several boards with M.2, I'm not super stoked on having them on the backside of the board.

I'm curious if the Z170 Impact will do a daughterboard like the previous versions for the M.2.

 

[Vittra]

So, Asus have a 5.25" bay device that connects to an internal Sata Express port and provides USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity, along with the 100w spec for powering devices. This is their way of working around the lack of an internal header at this time.

It's outlined on various overviews of their boards on PCDIY - I've seen it now on the Z170i-Pro and Z170 Maximus VIII Gene.

They have a 3.1 Type-A version as well.

 

[Phuncz]

A good solution for all those unused SATA Express ports that people got, but eventually paid for.

 

[Armourcore9brker]

I think I'm going to skip this transition generation and wait until 3.1 Type-C is the standard for everything, mainly just phones and computers that don't use proprietary work arounds.

 

[Vittra]

That's going to be a long time. With Intel's introduction of the Alpine Ridge Thunderbolt Controller, it's obvious this is the route they are more interested in taking than integrating 3.1 into the chipset directly, at least for the time being. With Cannonlake pushed back and this Alpine Ridge showing up, I'm dubious Kaby Lake will have chipset integration of USB 3.1 at this point.

 

[jeshikat]

MSI "launched" the Z170I Gaming Pro AC: http://www.techpowerup.com/215571/msi-launches-the-z170i-gaming-pro-ac-mini-itx-motherboard.html

Not on the website and no word of availability though. The SSD M.2 slot is indeed on the backside of the board. Unfortunately there's only two fan headers (including the CPU header).

 

[jtd871]

Fortunately, the DAN A4 doesn't seem to require case fans (from Dan's testing), keeping this board in contention. Hopefully the M.2 location on the back is also not a dealbreaker.

 

[iFreilicht]

Couldn't you just put a thermal pad on the SSD that lets it dissipate heat to the motherboard mount or side panel of a case? I know that's probably not an option in the A4, though.

 

[Phuncz]

I find it odd no manufacturer has tried to put the M.2 socket on a daughtercard like the ROG Impact boards, but facing "up" along the rear I/O ports. Most boards have plenty of unused Z-space there. Maybe a daughterboard is too expensive but the EVGA has it for it's WiFi card so it's not impossible.