GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI (Intel Z370) Motherboard Review

Here are key points about the GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI.

What's Hot

Triple Intel NICs: You get two 1Git LAN ports, both using Intel controllers, and then you also get a single Intel Wireless AC card. The best part is that the Wireless AC card is using Intel's 8265 controller, which is rated for 867Mbps rather than a 433Mbps wireless-AC card. Considering this is a Mini-ITX motherboard, it's nice to see the increase in network connectivity.

USB 3.0: GIGABYTE directly routes six USB 3.0 ports to the rear IO without using a hub, and that isn't very common even on ATX motherboards. Another USB 3.0 port type-C ports is also on the rear IO, and it's also directly routed to the PCH. The PCH allows for up to 10 directly routed USB 3.0 ports, but most vendors only provide 6-8 because you lose a few PCI-E lanes.

Dual M.2: While we find one M.2 on the rear of the PCB like on most mini-ITX motherboards, we also find another under a heat sink on the topside of the motherboard. The good news here is that the M.2 slots don't share lanes with the SATA ports, so you can run all at the same time.

HDMI 2.0: HDMI 2.0 is required for streaming certain services such as Netlifx in 4K because of the HDCP 2.2 requirement, and GIGABYTE added on the hardware to support it.

RGB LED Support: You not only get GIGABYTE's RGB/RGBW LED header, but you also get GIGABYTE's 12v/5v digital RGB LED header, so you get a lot of lighting options.

What's Not

Rear IO Audio: There are only three audio ports on the rear IO and no S/PDIF output, so if you want or need more audio connectivity you need to use the internal headers.

Cooling: If you are going to overclock the 8700K to 5GHz for 24/7 use and you are watercooling your CPU you need airflow over the VRM heat sink or good positive pressure inside your case.

No USB 3.1: Pretty self-explanatory, the rear IO only offers USB 3.0.

Final Thoughts

The GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI is a very decent Z370 mini-ITX motherboard from GIGABYTE. While GIGABYTE has gone more of the basic route in the past with their mini-ITX offerings, such as only offering a 4-pin CPU power connector, but that isn't the case here.

GIGABYTE has given the Z370N WIFI the right stuff to be competitive and do well in the enthusiast Z370 mini-ITX market. It even carries GIGABYTE's premium RGB LED headers, connectivity, fan headers, and dual M.2 slots. While the VRM might not be the best, it gets the job done as long as you can cool it down. The Z370N WIFI is a solid mini-ITX motherboard that's definitely worth a look.

Product Summary Breakdown

Performance	89%
Quality	90%
Features	93%
Value	91%

Overall TweakTown Rating

91%

The Bottom Line: GIGABYTE's Z370N WIFI is loaded with networking options, USB 3.0, and other features such a digital RGB LED support and HDMI 2.0.

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