- Excellent audio performance
- Top notch stability
- Looks great and fast performance
- Premium price on the Gaming G1
What makes something a gaming product? Is it just a flashy gamer theme or something more? The debate still lives as to whether or not a motherboard can be called a gaming product like mice, headphones, video cards, or computer cases. I would argue it’s a true gaming product when it provides tangible features like special USB ports for gaming peripherals, multiple PCI Express slots, high quality audio, or an experience such as an audio amplifier. These features are found on Gigabyte’s Gaming G1 series. And, the new G1 Z170 chipset has rekindled the Gaming series with a hot new look and features to match.
Gigabyte graciously sent us two platforms offer features for gamers who want the optimal gaming experience. One is a more mainstream affordable GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 motherboard which offers the right features for the price point and the other is the flagship GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 motherboard designed to offer maximum connectivity and graphics support. Either one of these is exactly what you need to experience gaming this holiday season. Lets have a look!
Features
The major features that give the Gigabyte GA-Z7170X-Gaming G1 and Gaming 7 personality include AMP-UP amplified audio, Creative Sound Core 3D processors, Killer NIC LAN controllers, reliable USB DAC power, and multi-graphics SLI/CrossfireX support.
AMP-UP is actually an OP-AMP which boosts output through a Creative audio processors. The Gaming 7 (Gaming GT and Gaming 5 as well) comes with Creative Sound Blaster Sound Core 3D processors. The Gaming G1 utilizes a highly capable Creative Sound Blaster ZxRi processor. Any other SKU Gaming and Ultra Durable series utilize a Realtek ALC1150 but still have OP-AMPs. That amplifier makes everything sound clean and clear but the Creative processors are exemplary on a high quality speaker set or headset.
The gigabit Killer NICs give gamers full control over their system’s network. The bandwidth can be optimized for games through the Killer Network Management software. That way, your games get all the bandwidth and not other applications. Lag is the mother of lost games. The Gaming 7 (Gaming GT and Gaming 5) gets one Killer NIC and one Intel NIC port. The Gaming G1 gets dual Killer NICs as well as Killer 802.11ac WiFi.
Another design feature definitely worth mentioning is the patent pending Ultra Durable Metal Shield PCI Express slots. With so many heavy enthusiast gaming graphics cards, the motherboard’s PCIE slots have to carry the weight. This can be bad over time not to mention for system integrators who ship so many systems as well as any LAN party fans. Gigabyte’s UDMS strengthens the PCIE slots.
What’s in the Box?
The GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 comes with a standard bundle. There are four SATA cables, dual graphics ribbon, IO shield, drivers, manual, and a few literature extras.
The GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 comes with a superior bundle. It includes hard and soft SLI/CFX ribbons; Dual USB 3.1 via SATA Express port 5.25″ bay with cable adapter; eight braided black SATA cables; M.2 PCIe to mini-SAS port adapter; Wi-Fi antenna; matching IO shield and usual literature and software DVD.
Specifications – IO and Expansion
IO and expantion are pretty par for the course. But for the best result, check Gigabyte Z170 Gaming Series Comparison and look through the list to ensure the model you want has the right amount of IO. The Gaming G1 comes with the most IO connectivity. Gamers will get ten USB (six USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 which includes two DAC-UP ports), PS/2 port, faux gold amplified analog audio ports, and dual Bluetooth/WiFi 802.11n connectivity. For video output, you get a mini-display and HDMI port.
For a summary of the specs that make the board a bit more gamer oriented, just look above.
Closer Look
The Gigabyte GA-Z7170X-Gaming G1, Gaming GT, and Gaming 7 all sport the red on white heat sinks. However, any other Gaming SKU will sport the red on black heat sink. Additionally, most of the Gaming series includes the OP-AMP except for the GA-Z170N-Gaming 5 mini-ITX and GA-Z170 G.1 Sniper ATX motherboards. It’s understandable why the mini-ITX doesn’t have it. But with a name like the G.1 Sniper, it’s a little confusing.
The Gaming 7 offers six USB (four USB 3.1 and two 2.0 which includes two DAC-UP ports), faux gold amplified analog audio ports, dual NICS (Intel and Killer), and PS/2 port. Gigabyte reps said that gamers still like the older PS2 port to support high DPI gaming mice. For video output, you get a mini-display, HDMI, and display port.
The Gaming G1 has hybrid liquid capable heat sinks around the CPU socket. Gamers don’t have to liquid cool these unless you’re going for more extreme overclocks.
Test Systems and Setup Notes
The new Z170 chipset now requires a new Skylake LGA-1151 processor. It’s a whole new game of drivers and features to test. Here are the specs for the two boards on the battlefield.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K Skylake
- Motherboard 1: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1
- Motherboard 2: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 7
- Memory 1: Corsair Vengeance LPX 2666 MHz 16GB DDR4 (dual channel)
- Memory 2: Kingston HyperX Fury 2666 MHz 32GB DDR4 (quad)
- Graphics: NVidia GeForce GTX 980
- Storage: Kingston HyperX Savage 240GB SSD
- Storage: Plextor 256GB AG256M6E M.2 PCIe SSD
- Power: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 80Plus Gold 850 Watt
- Cooling: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
- OS: Windows 8.1 Patched
Set up for both boards went as expected. The Gaming G1 took about 60 minutes from start to finish given all the extra features and connectivity. The Gaming 7 took about 40 minutes. It should also note that the Dark Rock Pro 3 is quite large. It gets right up on the rear Gaming heat sink(s).
GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 BIOS Notes
At launch, the BIOS on the Gigabyte Gaming 7 and Gaming G1 weren’t quite as polished at launch as we liked. In fact, most partners had some issue though we didn’t hear of any inoperable boards. The glitches we found were DDR4 RAM code and USB driver related. Thus, we wanted to give Gigabyte (as well as any Intel partner for that matter) time to polish up the BIOS. We’ve found the best BIOS for the Gaming 7 to be the F4 BIOS and Gaming G1 using the F4p BIOS. You can expect another BIOS update in the next couple weeks.
The BIOS is very similar, if not identical in most respects, to the previous Z97 generation UEFI BIOS. The layout and design really hasn’t change. Everything is in a familiar place which is good news for overclocking enthusiasts or tweakers. The DDR4 kits all topped out at about 2800MHz and CPU at 4.8GHz.
GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 BIOS Notes
Where is my orange or red BIOS? Granted, this is a beta that required testing that is thus far void of the serious bugs like microcode and DDR4 incompatibility. The important thing here is that the BIOS is very similarly laid out as the other boards. This makes it a lot easier to navigate. If this were the OC series BIOS, it would have quite a few more detailed settings that would require a stack of engineering white papers to really understand.
Fortunately, all the DDR4 kits worked with this board and BIOS. It seems this CPU is destined to max out the integrated memory controller around 2800MHz. The CPU topped out at 4.9GHz which is par for the upper course. Just make sure you have high end CPU cooling because it will absolutely get hot!
Benchmarks
We’re using benchmarks that focus on the system’s overall performance as well as at least one benchmark for each major component: CPU, memory, and IO connectivity such as network, USB, and audio. PCMark8, CineBench R15, SANDRA, and four or five games round off the tests. A final quality control exam is given looking for things like both power and component noise, implementation, and connective placement.
PCMark8
Beginning with overall system performance, PCMark8 measures the entire systems capabilities putting it through a series of conventional testing. Lets take a look.
CineBench R15
BIOS tuning can make the difference when it comes to CPU performance. Both boards make good use of the slightly faster Intel Core i7-6700K.
Gaming
BIOS and tuning give the GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 and G1 some much needed PCI Express bandwidth to play the latest games at max settings as well as 3D. Gaming has never been so smooth.
I/O Testing
As you can see, performance is similar across platforms since we’re really only talking about standard SATAs. However, Z170 features USB 3.1 with one or two extra ports. It’s not leaps and bounds faster but it comes in handy when needing extra connectivity.
Audio Performance
The Intel Z97 platform heralded a new standard in audio quality. Stereo crosstalk is non existent, total harmonic distortion is surprisingly minimal, volumes are higher, and clarity is much better. The GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 and G1 both take that to the next level.
Implementing the OP AMP require a very clear, noise free, volume rich implementation of components to excel. Both boards’ audio performs so well in so many ways it’s hard to describe the end result other than; superb. Every game, movie, and music genre sounds really great. Personally speaking, The Evil Within is so much better when you have audio like this.
Quality Control – Feature Access and Component Noise
Gigabyte has done a very good job when examining both boards up close. Despite the limited PCB real estate, all components, ports, switches, headers, and buttons are in ideal locations. Accessing the board’s dip switches, buttons, fan headers, and ports were on par for the course. The reinforced PCI Express slots are especially great. These will keep large graphics cards from sagging off the boards.
To check for noise, both the GIGABYTE GA-Z170X Gaming 7 and Gaming G1 were run with an SSD and integrated graphics with a Corsair X100 liquid cooler to eliminate as much noise as possible within a foam enclosure to block out external noise. Both motherboards were extremely quiet during operation. With a proper graphics card, CPU cooler, and computer case, enthusiasts will enjoy a very quiet system.
Final Thoughts
The feature that continues to separate GIGABYTE’s Gaming Series motherboards is the OP AMP audio. Throughout each game genre, the music, voices, and action packed scenes just seem to come alive. There really does seem to be so much more going on when you’ve got a high quality headset like the Kingston HyperX Cloud connected. That extra audio and volume just makes everything pop!
Some other great experiences include the reinforced PCI Express 3.0 slots. Any large heavy or lengthy video card stayed straight. The only cards that sagged lacked proper PCB thickness and/or back plates. The Killer NIC is always a bonus especially offloading any and all processes from the stack. And, of course the USB 3.1 port kicks out a little better performance than USB 3.0 but only just a bit. Additionally, the dual X4 M.2 PCIe slots are especially useful if you need 700 MB/s storage. However, you will only get that using one slot as two defaults to X2 instead. Also, using all the slots will disable SATA port 0 in certain configurations. Finally, if you have a really large dual radiator CPU cooler, make sure the fins are machined higher at the base to ensure it fits.
The GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 has a nice finished BIOS. Unfortunately, the GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 has a not so “flagship” BIOS. It seems GIGABYTE hasn’t been able to finish polishing up the BIOS to look as nice as the Gaming 7. Still, it’s not a stopper in my humble opinion though as it’s still a suh-weet board.
Performance wise, the GIGABYTE GA-X170-Gaming 7 is a top notch platform standing tall against rigorous testing. In terms of performance to cost, the Gaming 7 is worth every bit of the $250 USD. The GIGABYTE GA-X170-Gaming G1 is equally vigorous especially when running multiple high end graphics cards. The $480 USD price tag will give most gamers a reason to pause. If you’re running three high end graphics cards, you’re definitely going to want the Gaming G1. For these many reasons, the Gaming G7 earns our Highly Recommended award and Gaming G1 our High Performance award.
GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-GAMING G1
GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-GAMING 7
