GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 and GA-Z170X-Gaming G1 Motherboards Reviewed

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!

GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming 79.5

GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-Gaming G19.5

Pros

Excellent audio performance
Top notch stability
Looks great and fast performance

Cons

Premium price on the Gaming G1

2016-04-24

9.5Overall Score

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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.

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