ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G Gaming mATX Motherboard Review

ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G Gaming mATX Motherboard Review

Most enthusiast look at the standard ATX motherboard because it usually includes more features than their little brothers mATX or mITX. Over the past several generations of motherboards, that has been changing to where a new mATX motherboard can include nearly every feature that a standard ATX motherboard can. However, due to the size difference there are a few things that are cut out, mainly extra SATA/SATA-Express ports and support for Three-way SLI or CrossFireX. Out of ASUS’s nine different Intel Z270 motherboards, there is only one that is a mATX board, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G Gaming.

The ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G Gaming for example, supports the latest Intel Socket 1151 Kaby Lake (or Sky Lake) processors, and features four DDR4 slots, USB 3.1 Gen 1 header, dual M.2 slots and support for Two-way SLI or CrossFireX. Those are typically some of the most important feature that enthusiasts look for, ASUS doesn’t stop there though, they pack on more technology such as Wireless AC, a new USB 3.1 Gen 2 front header, and an ASUS Aura LED header. Being a feature packed motherboard it does have a slightly higher than normal price tag, of $199.00 with free shipping. That does of course include a 3 year warranty, and other ASUS features.

Features and Specifications:

• Aura Sync RGB LED lighting and 3D printable modules for ultimate customizability
• 5-Way Optimization – One-click full-system tuning handles everything from overclocking to cooling and beyond
• Net-gen connectivity – Oneboard dual M.2 slots for up to 32Gbps of PCIe bandwidth, 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and a front panel USB 3.1 Type-C connector
• ROG SupremeFX audio – Renowned audio performance with dual headphone amplifiers, leveled-up Sonic Studio III and Sonic Radar III
• Patent-pending ASUS SafeSlot for enhanced PCIe retention and shearing resistance

ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G Gaming Specifications
CPU	Intel Socket 1151 for 7th/6th Generation Core i7/Core i5/Core i3/Pentium/Celeron Processors Supports Intel 14 nm CPU Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Chipset	Intel Z270
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 2400-4000(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered, Register Memory
Graphic	Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort 1.2 ports – Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz – Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2304 @ 60 Hz Maximum shared memory of 1024 MB Supports Intel InTru 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider Supports up to 3 displays simultaneously DP 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant, supports DP 1.2 monitor daisy chain up to 3 displays
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA 2-Way SLI Technology Supports AMD 2-Way CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots	2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1
Storage	1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s) Intel Optane Memory Ready
LAN	Intel I219V, Dual interconnect between the Integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Anti-surge LANGuard ROG GameFirst Technology
Wireless Data Network	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz Supports MU-MIMO
Bluetooth	Bluetooth V4.1
Audio	ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A
USB Ports	Intel Z270 Chipset : 6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel Z270 Chipset : 6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board) ASMedia USB 3.1 controller : 1 x USB 3.1 front panel connector port(s) ASMedia USB 3.1 controller : 2 x USB 3.1 port(s) (2 at back panel, black+red, Type-A + Type-C)
Back I/O Ports	1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A + Type-C 2 x USB 2.0 4 x USB 3.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 5 x Audio jack(s) 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v4.1)
Internal I/O Ports	1 x AAFP connector 2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode) 1 x TPM connector(s) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin) 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin) 2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (2 x 4 -pin) 1 x W_PUMP+ connector (1 x 4 -pin) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) 1 x System panel connector 1 x USB 3.1 front panel connector 1 x CPU_OV jumper
Form Factor	mATX Form Factor 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch ( 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm )
Warranty	3 Years

If you have seen the retail packaging of any motherboard by a major manufacturer, you should already know what to expect on the retail packaging. The front of the box provides very little information, but does provide the make/model and a few little feature icons. Turning the box over, is where you’ll find the information you need to know about the STRIX Z270G Gaming motherboard. Here ASUS provides an overview of the motherboard and rear I/O panel while calling out the individual specifications. In addition, they provide a glimpse of some of the special features such as AURA, SupremeFX Codec, 3D Printing Friendly and on-board USB 3.1 Front Panel connector. Opening the box, you find the motherboard tightly packed in an anti-static bag. Beneath the motherboard are the accessories.

The accessory pack for the STRIX Z270G Gaming is a pretty standard accessory pack. Included is the standard rear I/O port cover, Wireless 2T2R external antenna, four SATA cables, a rigid SLI bracket, and the ASUS CPU installation tool. One fairly new accessory is the LED strip header extension cable. Documentation includes cable identification tags, standard user guide, a software/driver disc, and a sheet of ASUS STRIX stickers.

Let’s move on to taking a closer look at the ASUS STRIX Z270G Gaming mATX motherboard.