Review: Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura

by Tarinder Sandhu on 1 September 2016, 15:30

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qac55g

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Conclusion

There's RGB lighting, a minor uptick in supported memory speeds, and, most interesting of all, the ability to 3D-print a logo of your choosing.

Asus has an incredible number of motherboards based on Intel's LGA1151 Skylake platform. Overlapping ranges, price points and features can make it difficult to know which one is best for you, but if you want something out of the ordinary then you need look no further than the Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura.

Ostensibly based on the popular board from last year, Asus has upgraded it in a few key areas. There's RGB lighting, a minor uptick in supported memory speeds, and, most interesting of all, the ability to 3D-print a logo of your choosing.

Should these extras tickle your fancy, the £30-£50 premium can be justified. This is a well-designed board and represents the bedrock of premium Z170 support from Asus. If you're in its wheelhouse and took a fancy to last year's version, the 2016 reboot is better in every way.

The Good
 
The Bad
Attractive lighting
3D-printed logo is cool
Solid BIOS
Overclocks well
 
No front USB 3.1 connector



Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura

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The Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

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The gimmick is the 3D printed piece, but it disables one of the most important connections on the board, M.2. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?!
What were they thinking? Apparently ~£20 extra to remove functionality?
Seems that Asus have lost the plot with this one. The thought path that ends in the loss of your M.2 connection is a peach.