Shootouts

High-End Intel Z87 Motherboard Shootout

By Wong Chung Wee - 14 Apr 2014

Motherboard Features Comparison Table

Motherboard Features Comparison Table

Top Intel Z87 Chipset Motherboards Compared
  ASRock Z87 OC Formula ASUS Maximus VI Extreme ECS Gank Domination Z87H3-A2X Golden Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC MSI Z87 MPower Max
  ASRock Z87 OC Formula ASUS Maximus VI Extreme ECS Gank Domination Z87H3-A2X Golden Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC MSI Z87 MPower Max
Processor Support and Chipset Type
  • Supports Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron processors
  • Supports Intel 22nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • Intel Z87 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron processors
  • Supports Intel 22nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • Intel Z87 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron processors
  • Supports Intel 22nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • Intel Z87 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron processors
  • Supports Intel 22nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • Intel Z87 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron processors
  • Supports Intel 22nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • Intel Z87 Chipset
Memory
  • Dual Channel DDR3 memory technology
  • 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM slots
  • Supports 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133 (O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB
  • Dual Channel DDR3 memory technology
  • 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM slots
  • Supports 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2600 (O.C.) / 2500 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133 (O.C.) / 2000 (O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB
  • Dual Channel DDR3 memory technology
  • 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM slots
  • Supports 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB
  • Dual Channel DDR3 memory technology
  • 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM slots
  • Supports 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2600 (O.C.) / 2500 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133 (O.C.) / 2000 (O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB
  • Dual Channel DDR3 memory technology
  • 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM slots
  • Supports 3000 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2600 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133 (O.C.) / 2000 (O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB
Storage
  • 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
  • Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
  • 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports (via ASMedia ASM1061 controller)
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports, red
  • Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
  • 1x M.2 (NGFF) Socket 2 on mPCIe Combo II expansion card(s), black
  • Supports M.2 (NGFF) Type 2242 SSD card (22mm x 42mm)
  • Supports PCIe 2.0 x1 and SATA 6Gb/s standards
  • 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports, red (via ASMedia ASM1061 controller)
  • 5 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
  • Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
  • 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports (2 internal, 2 external via ASMedia ASM1061 controller)
  • 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
  • Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
  • 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
  • Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
  • 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (via ASMedia ASM1061 controller)
Audio
  • Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • Supports Purity Sound
  • 115dB SNR DAC with differential amplifier
  • TI NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier (Supports up to 600 ohm headsets)
  • Direct Drive Technology
  • EMI shielding cover
  • PCB isolate shielding
  • Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
  • Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  • BD Audio Layer Content Protection
  • Optical S/PDIF out ports at back panel
  • Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • External DSP ALC5505 chip
  • Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
  • Realtek ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
  • Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
Video
  • Intel HD graphics engine
  • 1 x HDMI port
  • Intel HD graphics engine
  • 1 x Displayport port
  • 1 x HDMI port
  • Intel HD graphics engine
  • 1 x Displayport port
  • 1 x HDMI port
  • Intel HD graphics engine
  • 1 x DisplayPort port
  • 2 x HDMI ports
  • Intel HD graphics engine
  • 1 x DisplayPort port
  • 2 x HDMI ports
Networking
  • Intel I217V
  • Intel I217V Gigabit LAN
  • mPCIe Combo II expansion card (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.0, Bluetooth v3.0 + HS)
  • 2 x RealTek RTL8111G Gigabit LAN controllers
  • 1 x Intel GbE LAN controllers
  • 1 x Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN controller
Rear I/O
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
  • 1 x HDMI-out
  • 1 x HDMI-in
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port
  • 8 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 6 x Audio jacks
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
  • 1x DisplayPort
  • 1x HDMI
  • 1x LAN (RJ45) port
  • 6x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2x USB 2.0 (one port switchable to ROG Connect)
  • 1x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 6x Audio jacks
  • 1x Clear CMOS button
  • 1x ROG Connect On/Off switch
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 2 x LAN (RJ45) ports
  • 4 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 4 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x Wi-Fi dongle
  • 1 x Bluetooth dongle
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 5 x Audio jacks
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 2 x HDMI
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port
  • 6 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 6 x Audio jacks
  • 1 x OC Ignition button
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 2 x HDMI
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port
  • 6 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 6 x Audio jacks
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
Internal Connectors
  • 2 x USB 3.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 10 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector
  • 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector
  • 4 x Chassis Fan connectors
  • 1 x Power Fan connector
  • 1 x MOS Fan connector
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
  • 2 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connectors
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
  • 2 x 7-set of onboard voltage measurement points
  • 1 x PCIe on/off switch
  • 1 x Post status Checker (PSC)
  • 1 x Slow mode switch
  • 1 x LN2 mode switch
  • 1 x BIOS selection switch
  • 1 x Power switch with LED
  • 1 x Reset switch with LED
  • 1 x Clear CMOS switch
  • 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
  • 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s)
  • 10 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector
  • 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector
  • 3 x Chassis Fan connectors
  • 3 x Optional Fan connectors
  • 1 x S/PDIF out header
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
  • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x 6-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector
  • 1 x 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
  • 1 x System panel
  • 1 x DirectKey Button
  • 1 x DRCT header
  • 1 x MemOK! Button
  • 1 x Slow Mode switch
  • 10 x Probelt Measurement points
  • 3 x Thermal sensor connectors
  • 1 x LN2 Mode header
  • 1 x Power-on button
  • 1 x Reset button
  • 1 x BIOS Switch button
  • 1 x FastBoot switch
  • 1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header
  • 1 x mPCIe Combo II connector
  • 1 x USB 3.0 connector support additional 2 USB 3.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 9 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector
  • 1 x System Fan connector
  • 1 x Power Fan connector
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
  • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
  • 2 x 7-set of onboard voltage measurement points
  • 1 X CLR_CMOS header
  • 1 X Serial port header (COM)
  • 1 X mSATA connector
  • 1 X 7S-LED Display
  • 1 X ME_UNLOCK header
  • 1 X Chassis intrusion header
  • 1 X Voltage measure points
  • 1 X 80P Switch button
  • 1 X Quick OC button
  • 1 X BIOS set button
  • 1 X ROM Backup button
  • 2 x USB 3.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 ports
  • 9 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector
  • 6 x System Fan connectors
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
  • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x OC PEG power connector
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
  • 1 x Onboard voltage measurement module
  • 1 x serial port header
  • 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
  • 1 x power button
  • 1 x reset button
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
  • 1 x Gear button
  • 1 x OC Turbo button
  • 1 x OC Tag button
  • 1 x CPU BCLK Down button
  • 1 x CPU BCLK Up button
  • 1 x CPU Ratio Down button
  • 1 x CPU Ratio Up button
  • 1 x Memory Safe button
  • 1 x Settings Lock button
  • 1 x Direct to BIOS button
  • 1 x OC Trigger switch
  • 1 x OC PCIe switch
  • 1 x Clear Battery button
  • 2 x BIOS switches
  • 2 x USB 3.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.0 ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 2 x CPU Fan connectors
  • 3 x System Fan connectors
  • 2 x System panel connectors
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
  • 2 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
  • 1 x 14-point V-Check system
  • 1 x GO2BIOS button
  • 1 x OC Genie button
  • 1 x Reset button
  • 2 x Base Clock control buttons
  • 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
  • 1 x Power button
  • 1 x OC Genie mode switch
  • 1 x 2-Digit Debug Code LED
  • 1 x Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth module connector
Expansion Slots
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8 / x4 / x4)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4)
  • 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 5x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8 / x16 / x8 or x8 / x16 / x8 / x8)
  • 1x PCIe 2.0 x4
  • 1x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8 / x4 / x4)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8 / x4 / x4)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 2 x PCI
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8 / x4 / x4)
  • 4 x PCIe 2.0 x1
Form Factor
  • EATX Form Factor, 30.6 x 26.8cm
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.6 x 24.4cm
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.5 x 24.4cm
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.5 x 24.4cm
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.4 x 24.4cm

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