Verdict and Conclusion
To complete our Project MakeMeCooler Doraemon PC build, I needed a Z270 motherboard that offered great looks, RGB lighting and performance. I needn’t look too far … I found what I was looking for with the Gigabyte GA-Z270X Ultra Gaming motherboard.
Coupled with a Kaby Lake Core i5-7600K processor, the overall performance of the Z270X Ultra Gaming was pretty outstanding. It produced excellent scores in all of our benchmarks, both at default and overclocked speeds.
The Z270X Ultra Gaming motherboard has lots to offer in terms of features and connectivity. The rear I/O panel features the legacy PS/2 mouse and keyboard connector, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2, DVI, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.0 (Gen 1), HDMI, Gigabit LAN, 2 x USB 2.0 and an array of connectors for HD audio which is powered by the Realtek ALC 1220 codec.
Other features include Smart Fan 5, Ultra-Fast M.2, Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready, DualBIOS, RGB Fusion LED lighting, 3 x PCIE 3.0 x16 slots (x16/x8/x4) for 3-Way SLI and Crossfire support, as well as diagnostic LEDs.
In my last review I complained about Gigabyte’s Smart Fan 5 feature for not being “Smart” enough. So no change here. It’s not good for water-cooled systems that need the pump at full speed. To get around this, you just have enable and fix it at full speed.
Now, I know it’s no fault of Gigabyte, but D@MN the Kaby Lake Core i5-7600K runs HOT! @ 4.9GHz with a voltage increase of 1.5v.
I have to confess … I’m a huge fan of RGB lighting. When I was choosing a motherboard for our Project MakeMeCooler Doraemon PC build, it was a choice between the MSI Z270 Gaming M5 or the Gigabyte GA-Z270X Ultra Gaming. I so wanted to get the MSI Z270 Gaming M5 due the easy-to-use BIOS, but in the end the RGB Fusion lighting of the Gigabyte GA-Z270X Ultra Gaming with its 16.8 million colors got my vote.
Pricewise, the Gigabyte GA-Z270X Ultra Gaming can be purchased for around USD $165.00 from Amazon, which I think is absolute bargain. For a gaming Z270 motherboard, you won’t find a better price. Buy now at Amazon – https://goo.gl/0kqR9r
Final words
If you’re after a gaming motherboard that offers tons of features, RGB lighting with performance to match, then you definitely have to an consider the Gigabyte GA-Z270X Ultra Gaming motherboard. I did … and now it’s in our Project MakeMeCooler Doraemon PC build! It’s one of the most feature-rich Z270 motherboard on the market right now that’s unimaginably affordable.
