[section_title title=Specifications & ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Features]
Specifications
Specification comparison
| Purpose | Z170 PRO GAMING | Z97-PRO GAMER | |
|
CPU |
CPU Type | LGA1151 socket for 6th Generation Core™ i7/i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron®Processors | LGA1150 4th, new 4th & 5th Generation Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron®Processors |
| Turbo Ratio OC | Yes | Yes | |
| BCLK OC | Yes | Yes | |
| iGPU OC | Yes | Yes | |
|
DRAM |
DRAM Spec supported |
4 x DIMM, max. 64GB, DDR43400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3100(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/
2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/
2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz,
non-ECC, un-buffered memory,
XMP 2.0 |
4 x DIMM, max. 32GB, DDR33200(O.C.)/3100(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/
2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/ 2133(O.C.)/ 1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memory, XMP 1.3 |
|
Optimize
System |
DRAM Layout | T-Topology | T-Topology |
|
Performance Optimization |
GPU Boost | GPU Boost | |
| Intel® Quick Sync Video | Intel® Quick Sync Video | ||
| Intel® Smart Response Technology | Intel® Smart Response Technology | ||
| USB 3.0 Boost | USB 3.0 Boost | ||
| USB 3.1 Boost | N/A | ||
| HW Fast Boot Support | HW Fast Boot Support | ||
| Network bandwidthmanagement | GameFirst technology | GameFirst II | |
| User Convenience | Intel® Rapid Start Technology | Intel® Rapid Start Technology | |
| Network | NIC 1 | Intel® I219-V Gigabit LAN | Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN |
| Anti-surge Ethernet Port | LANGuard | LANGuard | |
| ExpansionSlots | PCIex16_1 (Gray@x16) | 1 x Max. @GEN3 | 1 x Max. @GEN3 |
| PCIex16_2 (Black@x8) | 1 x Max. @GEN3 | 1 x Max. @GEN3 | |
| PCIex16_3 (Black@x4) | 1 x Max. @GEN3 | 1 x Max. @GEN2 | |
| PCIex1(@x1) | 3 x Max. @GEN3 | 3 x Max. @GEN2 | |
| BIOS | BIOS Level Update | EZFlash3 | EZFlash2 |
| OS Level Update | AI Suite 3 (EZ Update) | Ai Suite 3 (EZ Update) | |
| BIOS Flash Protection | CrashFree BIOS 3 | CrashFree BIOS 3 | |
| BIOS Feature | All fan available to tune with DCand PWM mode | All fan available to tune with DCand PWM mode | |
| Wizard for Simple OC and RAID | Wizard for Simple OC and RAID | ||
| F12 BIOS Print | F12 BIOS Print | ||
| PowerSolution | Power Efficiency | Active Frequency Mode | Active Frequency Mode |
| Overcurrent Protection | Gamer’s Guardian | Gamer’s Guardian | |
|
Mass
Storage |
M.2 | 1x M.2 socket 3 with M Key support type2242/2260/2280/22110storage device | 1x M.2 socket 3 with M Key support type 2260/2280 storage device |
| SATA 6Gb/s | 6 (4 PCH native, 2 compatible withSATA Express) | 6 (4 PCH native, 2 compatible withSATA Express) | |
| RAID | RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 via IRST 14 | RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 via IRST 13 | |
| 2TB+ RAID | Yes | Yes | |
| 2TB+ Support on non-GPT OS | Disk Unlocker | Disk Unlocker | |
| USB 3.1 | 2(1Type-A,1Type-C) | N/A | |
| USB 3.0 | 6 (2 front, 4 rear) via PCH | 6 (2 front, 4 rear) via PCH | |
| USB 2.0 | 8 (6 front; 2 rear) | 8 (6 front; 2 rear) | |
| BundledSoftware | Real-Time Monitor | Ai Suite 3 | Ai Suite 3 |
| Real-Time OC | TurboV | TurboV | |
| Utilities | GameFirst technology | GameFirst II | |
|
VGA |
Display Port | Max. 4096 x 2304@60Hz | N/A |
| HDMI | Max. 4096 x 2160@24Hz / 2560 x1600@60Hz | Max. 4096 x 2160@24Hz / 2560 x1600@60Hz | |
| DVI | Max. 1920 x 1200@60Hz | Max. 1920 x 1200@60Hz | |
| VGA Features | Max. 1920 x 1200@60Hz | Max. 1920 x 1200@60Hz | |
| Intel® InTru™ 3D | Intel® InTru™ 3D | ||
| Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HDTechnology, Insiderâ„¢ | Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HDTechnology, Insiderâ„¢ | ||
| Multi GPU / Multi-Monitor | Supports SLIâ„¢ / CrossFireXâ„¢ | Supports SLIâ„¢ / CrossFireXâ„¢ | |
|
Audio |
SupremeFX |
ALC1150 | ALC1150 |
| SupremeFX Shielding Technology | SupremeFX Shielding Technology | ||
| Stainless Steel EMI protectioncover | Stainless Steel EMI protectioncover | ||
| Japanese-made Audio Capacitors | Japan-made Audio Capacitors | ||
| Headphone Amp | Headphone Amp |
Notable ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Features
ASUS PRO Clock technology
A dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator designed for 6th-generation Intel® processors. This custom solution works in tandem with the ASUS Turbo Processor Unit (TPU), to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control —granting an exciting new way to boost performance to extreme heights.
Advantages of PRO Clock
- Full BCLK O.C. range is now loaded for enthusiasts, ASUS PRO Clock technology ensures users the advantage is there just when you needed it.
- 1-step BCLK boost, ASUS PRO Clock technology stays in a key position for BCLK O.C., to provide the best efficiency boost from lowest to highest.
- Even lower jitter, provides an alternative stability for extreme condition.
Considering that higher clock frequency may accompany lower clock margins, ASUS PRO Clock technology brings you more flexibility with adjustable clock amplitude, and clock slew rate. That said, better stability even under highest frequency is now even more attainable for advanced overclockers.
RAMCache
Modern PCs usually feature a memory capacity of between 4~64GB in total. However, most of it remains unused in a normal PC usage scenario. In many cases, an application will have its performance limited not because of the lack of available DRAM memory, but because of the need to access data hosted in the SSD or HDDs, leading to a notable delay and a less enjoyable user experience.
RAMCache is aiming to enhance users experience by offering the ability to use the system DRAM at its full potential. It provides a user-friendly and transparent solution for users to increase the performance of their system and durability of their SSD(s), by utilizing the system memory (DRAM) that is not in use. RAMCache unique technology speeds up your permanent storage overall performance. Its uniquely-intelligent technology effectively caches an entire storage device so that favourite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds!
GameFirst technology
Exclusive GameFirst technology has been upgraded with even more gamer-assist features, and an interface that’s even more intuitive. GameFirst technology helps you to assign top priority to gaming packets and allocate more bandwidth to game throughput, ensuring the best online gaming experience.
Choose from a preset mode to suit what you’re doing –Optimization, Game, Media Streaming or File Sharing. You can manage bandwidth down to the level of individual applications, with five priority levels (highest, higher, normal, lower, lowest) and even the ability to block specific traffic. GameFirst technology even has a built-in Network Monitor tool, so you can supervise your network traffic and test your connection speed to check that you’re getting the bandwidth you pay for!
SupremeFX
Z170 PRO GAMING features SupremeFX technology with five exclusive audio innovation improvements, to deliver best-in-class gaming audio that’s as great as a dedicated soundcard, with even finer components and superb gaming features that’s beyond compare!
SupremeFX Shielding physically separates PCB into two isolated parts to ensure analog/digital noises are separated and to greatly reduce multi-lateral interference from within the PCB and from other components.
Stainless Steel EMI protection cover seals the HD audio CODEC, to form a high electrical conductivity metal armour that sets environment interference apart to ensure sound quality.
Japanese-made audio capacitors provide warm, natural, and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity that are great for game effects and multimedia.
Headphone AMP is equipped for front analog headphone output, and ability to handle a far more impactful output than standard onboard audio hardware with up to 300Ωload impedance capability, generating superior effects and surround fields for enveloping sound in-game.
8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC is a high-performance multi-channel HD audio codec with lossless content protection technology that protects pre-recorded content while still allowing full-rate audio enjoyment. The ALC 1150 provides DAC channels that simultaneously support 7.1-channel sound playback and converter technology to achieve front differential output 115dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) playback quality and 104dB SNR recording quality.
Sonic Radar II
Designed for first-person shooters (FPS), Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that showswhatopponents and teammates are up to. See the precise direction and origin of in-game sounds such as gunshots, footsteps and call-outs, and practice your enemy-pinpointing skills — and exclusive AudioEnhancement further improves in-game sound for superb hearing awareness. The all-new SonicRadar II includes a redesigned control panel and with lots more customizable QVL game list!
Three control panels:
Display: Users can now customize the radar with their preferred transparency, size and smoothness in the configuration page and place the displaying radar on your desired location.
Controls: Customize your own hotkeys. Quickly switch Sonar Radar II settings in real time without having to put your game behind.
GameEQ: A variety of audio modes available for different game types.
