ASUS Z170 WS Motherboard Overview | Tek Syndicate

 Check prices: http://amzn.to/23wuMQM

Specs:

  • Intel® Socket 1151 for 6th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors 
    Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU
    Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 
    * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
    * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
  • Chipset
    Intel® Z170
  • Memory
    4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3733(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3466(O.C.)/3400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory 
    Dual Channel Memory Architecture 
    Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
    * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
    Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. 
  • Graphic
    Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support 
    Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports 
    - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz / 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz*1
    - Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2304 @ 24 Hz / 4096 x 2304 @ 60 Hz 2
    Maximum shared memory of 512 MB
    Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
    Supports up to 2 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® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology 
    Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology 
    Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology 
    Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology
  • Expansion Slots
    4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (single at x16, dual at x16/x16 mode, triple at x16/x8/x8 mode or dual x8/x8/x8/x8 mode) 
    1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 (max at x4 mode) *3
  • Storage
    Intel® Z170 chipset : 
    6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray, 
    2 x M.2 x4 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)4
    1 x U.2 connector, 5
    Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
    Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports
  • LAN
    Intel® I219-LM , 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
    Intel® I210-AT, 1 x Gigabit LAN
    Gigabit Intel® LAN Connection- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance
    ASUS Turbo LAN Utility
  • Audio
    Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 3
    - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
    - High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording input (Line-in)
    Audio Feature :
    - DTS Connect
    - DTS Studio Sound
    - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
    - BD Audio Layer Content Protection
    - Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
    - Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
    - Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
    - Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
    - Absolute Pitch 192khz/24bit true BD lossless sound
    Separate layer for left and right track, ensuring both sound deliver equal quality
  • USB Ports
    Intel® Z170 chipset : 
    5 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 vertical Type A Connector, 4 at mid-board)
    Intel® Z170 chipset : 
    6 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 2 at mid-board)
    ASMedia® USB 3.0 Hub : 
    4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)
    ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 
    1 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, teal blue, Type-A)
    ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 
    1 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, , Type-C, Reversible)
  • Workstation Feature
    4 x PCIe x 16 slot(s)
    12K hours Capacitors
    ProCool Power Connector
    Q-Code Logger
  • Special Features
    OC Design - ASUS PRO Clock Technology
    - Full BCLK range for extreme overclocking performance
    5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
    - 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App
    ASUS TPU :
    - Auto Tuning
    - GPU Boost 
    - TPU switch
    ASUS EPU :
    - EPU 
    - EPU switch
    ASUS Digital Power Design :
    - Industry leading Digital 8 + 4 + 2 Phase Power Design
    ASUS Exclusive Features :
    - USB BIOS Flashback
    - MemOK!
    - Ai Charger 
    - Ai Charger+
    - Anti-Surge
    - Front Panel USB 3.0 Support
    - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface 
    - USB 3.1 Boost
    - Turbo LAN
    - Crystal Sound 3
    - EZ XMP ASUS Exclusive Features
    Remote Entertainment
    - Media Streamer
    ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
    - Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution
    - ASUS Fan Xpert 3
    ASUS EZ DIY :
    - DirectKey
    - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback 
    - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
    - Multi-language BIOS
    - Push Notice
    ASUS Q-Design :
    - ASUS Q-Shield
    - ASUS Q-Code
    - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, HDD LED)
    - ASUS Q-Slot
    - ASUS Q-DIMM 
    - ASUS Q-Connector
    Special Memory O.C. Design
    Overclocking Protection :
    - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
    Fan Xpert 3
    Turbo APP
    Key Express
  • Operating System Support
    Windows® 10 , 64bit
    Windows® 8.1 , 64bit
    Windows® 7 86x64
  • Back I/O Ports
    1 x DisplayPort
    1 x HDMI
    2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
    1 x USB 3.1 (teal blue)Type-A
    1 x USB 3.1 Type-C
    4 x USB 3.0 (blue) 
    4 x USB 2.0 
    1 x Optical S/PDIF out
    1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
    1 x Q-Code Logger button
    1 x 8-channel Audio I/O
  • Internal I/O Ports
    1 x AAFP connector
    2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
    1 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 2.0 port(s)
    2 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Supports both SATA & PCIE SSD)
    6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
    1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin, 4 -pin)
    1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin, 4 -pin)
    4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin, 4 -pin)
    1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
    1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
    1 x 24-pin EATX 12 V Power connector
    1 x 6-pin EATX 12 V_1 Power connector(s)
    2 x 8-pin ATX Power connector
    1 x EZ XMP switch
    1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
    1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
    1 x DRCT header(s)
    1 x MemOK! button(s)
    1 x TPU switch(es)
    1 x EPU switch(es)
    1 x Power-on button(s)
    1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
    1 x Water Pump header (4-pin)
    1 x 14-1 pin TPM connector
    1 x vertical type A USB 3.0 connector
    1 x U.2 connector
  • Accessories
    User's manual
    ASUS Q-Shield
    6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
    2 x M.2 Screw Package
    1 x Supporting DVD
    1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
    1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s)
    1 x SLI bridge(s)
    1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
  • BIOS
    128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, 
    ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log, 
    F12 PrintScreen and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
  • Manageability
    WfM 2.0, DMI 3.0, WOL by PME, PXE
  • Support Disc
    Drivers
    ASUS Utilities
    EZ Update 
    Anti-virus software (OEM version)
  • Form Factor
    ATX Form Factor 
    12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
  • Weight
    Color Box (5-in-1) 
    Net Weight : 8.05 KG
    Gross Weight : 11.8 KG

    Bulk Pack (5-in-1)
    Net Weight : 6.2 KG
    Gross Weight : 8.2 KG
  • Note
    1: HDMI 2.0 60Hz resolution support requires necessary drivers update
    2: DP 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant, supports DP 1.2 monitor daisy chain up to 3 displays 
    3: Max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1, x2 and x4 devices
    4: The M.2_1 socket shares SATA ports with SATA6G_56 ; the M.2_2 socket shares bandwidth with U.2 connector, and shares SATA ports with SATA6G_12 when using SATA mode
    5: Support NVMe device
    *5: Support U.2 NVMe device


This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://teksyndicate.com/videos/asus-z170-ws-motherboard-overview-xeon-z170
1 Like

Additional information according to the VRM cirquitry on this particular board.
For the users that are interested.

  • PWM controlers: 2x ASP1405I which are most likely rebranded IR35205 8.0 Phase flexible digital controlled pwm´s.
    Who can run either in 8+0 or 6+2 mode.
    The first pwm provides 8 true phases for the cpu V core.
    The second pwm provides 4 pwm phases for the igpu.
  • Powerstages: IR3555 which are 60A fully intergrated powerIRstages from International Rectifier.
  • Capacitors: 12K sollid Polymer.
  • Inductors: Microfine alloy Chokes.

Additional information.

  • VCCSA gets power from a single phase vrm powered by a Richtek integrated pwm,
    and some ON-semi powerpaks.
  • VCCIO gets power by a TPS51362 Texas Instruments 10A step-down integrated power converter.
  • IDT6V41538NGL is an external clock generator that provides higher BLCK overclocks.
  • Memory vrm is controlled by an ASP1103 and some unknown mosfets.
1 Like

For less than the cost of that board + 6700K you could go for this kind of X99 set up. I think you do lose a few motherboard features, but it maintains the 4 way GPU support with an additional full PCI-e slot.

The CPU can't OC, but you do get 40 lanes from it. And it's 4 cores 8 threads

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8YjLbv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8YjLbv/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-1620 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($288.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: EVGA Classified EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($273.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $562.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-11 12:23 EDT-0400

1 Like

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8:49 5:53 remaining: "Now I know what you're thinking..."

I loved it when he said he wasn't sure of how many fan headers there were on the board and laughed about it as obviously there are so many he lost track. Right before he said it I was think holy crap there are quite a few fan headers. I have always wanted to go crazy with fans on a pc but never have enough fan headers and people just say use adapters but I have never really understood how all that works. Anyway with it being an Asus board I would consider it but it is probably much higher priced than something I can get from Gigabyte and Gigabyte has never done me wrong so why spend more eh? Anyway thanks Wendell for this review. There were a few moments where I wish Wendell did a Mobo Features For Dummies version of this video as I wanted to understand certain features more but whatever. I just need to learn more on my own. Peace out ... Tek Syndicate rules .. The Brotherhood of Wendell rules.