ASUS Z170-WS (Intel Z170) Motherboard Review

Introduction

With the introduction of the LGA1151 platform, many users had hoped that Intel would have expanded the amount of CPU PCI-E lanes, but when the platform launched many users were faced with the reality that they were still limited to 16X PCI-E 3.0 for their GPUs. Once again consumers were forced to invest in the high-end desktop platform (X99) or purchase one of the few Z170 motherboards with an added PCI-E bridge chip. Most motherboard manufacturers offer at least one motherboard with the famous PEX8747 chip that produced 32 PCI-E 3.0 lanes from 8 or 16 PCI-E 3.0 lanes.

While ASUS's ROG Extreme motherboards usually have this PCI-E chip present, this round ASUS decided to hold off, surprising many. Recently, ASUS did launch their top mainstream model, the Z170-WS, and consumers can finally buy an ASUS Z170 motherboard, which has 32 PCI-E 3.0 lanes for multi-GPU capabilities. In the past, the WS series has been ASUS's cream of the crop when it comes to motherboards and with Z170, that does not change. Let's see what the Z170-WS offers.

Specifications

The ASUS Z170-WS has many high-end features such as U.2, dual 32Gb/s M.2 slots, dual Intel NICs, and USB 3.1, but the most extreme feature its ability to run 4-way SLI/CrossFireX.

Pricing

The Z170-WS is available from many large retailers for roughly $349.99, making it pricey, but not too expensive compared to its list of specifications.