Over 300 million gamers in the globe, the pc gaming motherboards is an industry that doesn’t fall shy of impeccable designs. With these advancements on pc motherboards, different questions linger in peoples’ mind “which is the best product or which product do I pick?” well there is no straightforward answer to that question. Each product comes with its pros and cons and picking the best product depends on what your daily activity is. It is paramount to note that there is a difference between a core i7 7th and a core i7 5th generation. Though all seem similar regarding cores, they are different when it comes to performance. You may be wondering how so, well, a core i7 7th generation provides a powerful performance due to some additional properties. One property that Intel has introduced to some boards is the turbo boost technology. This technology offers boards with the ability to run complex applications even after hitting maximum clock rate. Moreover, most i7 7700k boards boast the fact that they give ideal cooling features. Though this may not be an Achilles heel that can determine a good Board and an okay board, it is still a feature that shouldn’t be ignored. Don’t get me wrong, having several fans on your board may be ok and may play a part in reducing a board’s temperature but having a water loop feature is the ultimate cooling feature. So before settling for any motherboard, always consider additional features.

As it’s the norm with most gamers, assembling your machines from scratch gives you the luxury of building your own supercomputer. It is noteworthy that several factors determine what makes a good board, but the ultimate factor is what your profession is because if you are just a social gamer or maybe prefer to watch movies, this will be a waste of your hard-earned cash. With that in mind, this article seeks to put to bed which pc motherboard is the best. To help you answer this question, we will look at 6 of the best motherboards for core i7 7700k. Without further ado here are the motherboards.

ASUS Maximus IX Hero

Asus has revolutionized the art of making new boards. With two 4 pin RGB headers and 2 water cooling headers you are guaranteed a cool board once it overheats. The Asus Maximus ix hero comes with reset, CMOS and power button which lacked their previous Z270 motherboard. So what makes the Asus Maximus ix stand out? If you are a professional transcriber or a gamer, this board guarantees you a cutting-edge technology that revolutionizes the world of motherboards. Most gamers prefer it because of its ability to allow overclocking.  Fitted with two 3.1 USB controller each with a 10 GB/s, you are sure to enjoy faster performance while using this board. Though Asus failed to release the exact number of boards bought, they acknowledged the fact that it is their fast board among their brands that has sold out from their stores.  Below are some of the features that make this product worthy of this stage.

ASUS Maximus IX Hero features and specifications :

• Unlike its predecessor which used realtec ALC 1220, the SupremeFX codec provides a dynamic range of noise. Additionally, it also comes with an saber HI-FI digital to analog converter.
• To maximize speed the Maximus ix comes with a dual m.2 PCle which guarantees high speeds while using it.
• One stand out feature for this motherboard is the RGB lighting and a 3d printing mount which allows users to customize their boards to their preference.
• A decade ago the idea of water cooling graphics card or even having a 160k video was not fathomable. The Asus RGB provides a host of lighting among other features present in Asus sync to provide you with a great experience.

Why should you buy it?

So why Asus Maximus ix is stand out? If you are a professional a gamer, this board is only for you guarantees you a cutting-edge technology that revolutionizes the world of motherboards. Most gamers prefer it because of its ability to allow overclocking. This boards Fitted with two 3.1 USB controller each with a 10 GB/s, you are sure that to enjoy faster gaming performance while using this board.

Pros

• This machine should be the ultimate goal for every user. Fitted with different chipsets it provides a powerful performance while remaining cool over longer periods.
• It comes with a user friendly interface.
• It works well with the 8th generation processor which allows users to overclock to higher levels.

Cons

• It is no secret the previous Asus maximum generations were a bit high end, so is the Maximus ix hero. If you don’t have a fat pocket, owning this machine can be a challenge.
• The major disappointment while using this board is the fact that it lacks a WI-FI.
• In case you run through some trouble while using this board, just Google your way out. It may be a harsh comment but it’s the reality. When you contact their customer support you are sure to get a lousy support with a high chance being that you will not be getting any help.

MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon

Apart from performance, one thing that intrigues most gamers when choosing a board is the appearance. Endowed with a holistic number of features, the MSI Z270 board has a stylish silver aesthetic with controllable lights which makes it stand out among other midlevel boards. Along with its appearance, the MSI Z270 comes with 10 GB/s USB 3.1 generation 2 ports which are either type A or type C and a Realtek audio codec to help in enhancing sound output. It boasts the ability to combine a trio of PCle devices, meaning you can easily combine 2 M2 and one PCle slot. It is noteworthy that this board also comes with two cards SLI and three card crossfire, which allows you to increase graphics performance. With plenty of fan headers placed on different locations, cooling won’t be a challenge. Here are some of its features.

MSI Z270 Gaming pro Carbon features

• Supports DDR4 -3866 Overclock memory
• It supports virtual reality while at the same time not reducing motion latency.
• Comes with Intel’s optane memory which is compatible with 7th generation boards along with steel armor and twin turbo to give fast game experience.
• With lightning speed, the 3.1 gen 2 port brings a whole experience when in need of super -fast transfer of files.
• Nehimic 2 audio software which guarantees a wonderful sound experience.
• To best protect your components, the MSI 270 board comes with a military grade 5 guard pro.
• The Bios 5 helps you initialize hardware while booting.
• It comes with AMD Crossfire and NVIDIA SLI to give a more powerful graphics card.

Why should you buy it?

If you are an adrenaline junkie who prefers playing fast graphical games that probably use 4k video format, then this board might impress you. this gaming board also comes with two cards SLI and three card crossfire, which allows you to increase graphics performance. This board place fan in a different location so you can easily buy it.

Pros

• It is easy to install.
• It is cheap
• With a preset overclocking function in its bios, you can easily increase its performance without really knowing the nitty gritty details of overclocking.

Cons

• The greatest disappointment with this machine is that it doesn’t come with 3.0 drivers, which can be a hitch because you may need to install it so that you can install LAN/WI-FI drivers.
• Their support is quite poor and it might take ages before communicating back with you.

Asus Maximus IX Formula

The Asus brand has been the go-to board for every gamer. Over years it has produced intriguing boards that have impressed most people with critics included. Asus Maximus IX formula boasts low power consumption along with high bios to allow for overclocking. One standout feature that endears users to this CPU is the fact that you can overclock it to an excess of 5 GHz. As mentioned Asus has banked on a stylish board which comes with RGB light to offer exquisite lighting that you can customize to your preference.

Asus Maximus ix features

• Offers an endless spectrum of colors through their aura sync RGB feature.
• Along with a dual M2, the Intel optane memory in this board helps boost speeds while overclocking.
• With an I/O shield present, it ensures a streamlined installation process along with enclosing electro-magnetic shock waves.
• Cross chill EK II presents users with the idea of cooling overheated boards using water.

Why should you buy it?

It is every gamer’s wish to have a board that doesn’t overheat. Along with an enormous number of fans, this board comes with a copper loop where you can insert water and let it cool when it overheats. Just like its predecessor, it comes with a 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1 USB ports, with the 3.1 port allowing super-fast transfer of files with up to 10 GB/s. If you are a techie, the new type C, and type A ports will be a plus for you when using a smartphone. With 3 PCle, having a clear picture won’t be a worry since they give you a powerful graphics card experience. This has pushed the audio experience to a new level, with the SupremeFX audio codec giving a more surround experience.

Pros

• It allows overclocking to over 5GHZ
• It has a stealth finish which gives it an exquisite design
• When it comes to performance, the Asus Maximus ix presents several options which boost its speeds. Among them are Dual M2, Intel optane memory and USB 3.1 Gen 2.

Cons

• It is quite expensive.
• Their support system is not impressive – it can take ages before they reply to your queries.

ASUS ROG STRIX Z270I motherboard

Experience is vital when settling for a board, over the years Asus has developed boards that are cutting edge and seemingly way ahead of their time. The Asus Rog Strix is no different when it comes to performance. Built with a stealth look, this stylish board is compact with every component rightly fitted in its place. Additionally, it is equipped with a heat sink for the chipset which helps in regulating temperature while at the same time it can be used to cover the M.2 underneath it. Unlike other boards which have limited fan headers, Asus Rog Strix comes with a substantial amount of fan headers along with a CPU fan at the top of the board. It also boasts a 3.1 gen two port with supernormal transfer speeds of 10gb/s. As usual, this board comes with an RGB lighting to give a spectrum of different colors that you can choose from. Additionally, it has an impressive memory with over 4266 Megahertz memory running on a simple XMP tick. It is noteworthy that this board guarantees an impressive overclock of 5.1 gigahertz which is close to other high-end board. When it comes to performance, this machine doesn’t disappoint, fitted with PCle you are sure to enjoy a complex graphics game without any form of lagging.

Asus Rog Strix features & specifications

• With an I/O shield, you can be sure to regulate electromagnetic shockwaves while properly installing the chipsets on the board.
• Comes with 4 SATA hard drive connectors.
• It has a pre-installed bios battery that you can remove whenever you need

Why should you buy it?

If you are love to choose RGB color then you can change different color in here. If you are thinking about performance, this machine doesn’t fall short; it has an impressive memory of over 4266 Megahertz while running on a simple XMP tick. One thing that you will surely love about this board is that you are guaranteed an impressive overclock of 5.1 gigahertz which is close to other high-end boards.

Pros

• Lightweight and stealthy
• Comes with a Bluetooth Wi-Fi antenna.

Cons

• .It is quite expensive
• It only comes with 2 DIMM slots which is a letdown for most of us Asus lovers.

Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7

Human beings rely most of their work on visual. That being said, the beautiful stealthy look in this board is impeccable. It is no lie this board gives you a billionaire touch with its gold coated ports. Though this is not enough to raise eyebrows, the 4 DDMMI placed in this board will surely impress you. As a cooling feature introduced in current generation boards, the gigabyte z370 Aorus gaming 7 comes with 3 m.2 heat sinks that are placed in different places on this board. One feature that you will realize with this board is that it comes with an automatic fan. When your VRMS hit 90 degrees, the fan automatically switches on. Furthermore, this board comes with a 3.1 gen 2 port which boosts transfer speeds with over 10gb/s. Unlike other boards in the market, it comes with an RGB W kit so as to provide that white color experience that normally lacked when using the normal RGB. With several buttons along its board such as an overclock switch, this board gives you an easy experience especially if you are not a typical tech guru. When compared to other boards such as the Asus Rog strix, the gigabyte z370 comes with 6 SATA ports to help you connect different storage drives. When testing its performance, this board overclocks to roughly 5.1 gigahertz which is quite interesting. When it comes to memory it runs at 4000 megahertz which is impressive.

Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7 features and specifications

• To help users manage available networks, it comes with an intel gigabyte LAN.
• Comes with a 3.1 gen 2 port for fast transfer of files.
• Comes with an RGB-W which presents a spectrum of different colors.

Why should you buy it?

If you are not a typical tech guru, this board can come in handy because of its user-friendly interface and quick availability of buttons such as the overclock button.  Additionally, if you plan to use sophisticated software such as Photoshop or any 3D rendering application, then this is your board.  When testing its performance, this board overclocks to roughly 5.1 gigahertz which is quite impressive. This boards memory, it runs at 4000 megahertz which is impressive.

Pros

• One advantage of this board is that it supports 8th generation processors.

Cons

• It comes with a 6 amperes fan which is quite noisy.
• It is damn expensive; you can get a cheaper board with the same qualities.

ASRock Z270 Gaming K6

The hallmark of every gaming board is its stealth look. With the same breath, it is no secret that this board doesn’t disappoint when it comes to a stylish design. The Aura RGB lighting in this board ensures an array of ultraviolet colors is present when powered up. Regarding performance, the ASRock Z270 is never shy to prove its worth; it comes with an Intel optane memory which boosts its speed especially when overclocking. One standout feature for this board that is not common to others is that the dmi comes with 4 extra PCle connectors where you can connect your board to other peripheral devices. Additionally, this board comes with several graphics output options – HDMI and Display port. As new generation sound outputs are conquering the market, this board comes with Realtec 1220 codec which brings an excellent surround output. It is noteworthy that it also supports creative sound-blast cinema3.

ASRock Z270 features and specifications

• 4 DDMMI that supports 3866 Megahertz for a single slot
• Three by 16 slots where you can fit your graphics card
• HD audio solution
• On/off switch for XMP profile solution which boosts overclocking.
• RGB header connectors
• 2 Thunderbolt connectors
• Comes with M.2 ports to boost speeds

Why should you buy it?

Just like its predecessor, this board comes with a 3.1 gen 2 port for both Type A and Type c. The most significant feature of a good gaming board is its ability to offer several cooling options. With that said, this board comes with 4 fan connectors, of which only 2 of them when it comes to PWM and Voltage based fan control and a water pump which acts as an extra precautionary when your board overheats. Also this board has lot of fetures like graphics output option, HDMI and Display port.  Regarding performance, the ASRock Z270 is never shy to prove its worth; it comes with an Intel optane memory which boosts its speed especially when overclocking.

Pros

• Beautiful RGBW lighting
• It supports both skylake and kabylake architecture.
• Comes with plenty of SATA 3 ports
• It is compact and quite cost friendly.

Cons

• If you are a light lover, then you will have a problem with the RGBW because its light is quite dim.

Buyer’s guide

When selecting the best core i7 7700k motherboard, several factors come into play. With the advance of videos, several pixel videos are coming up with an insanely beautiful pixel. An example is the 8k videos. If at one point in your profession you tried playing a game or transcribing a video of 4k using a high end machine, you will realize that it was at times lagging in motion or even failing to open other applications. So if you are a serious gamer or a transcriber, you would want a machine that doesn’t overheat or also lag while playing or editing videos. Well there is no shortcut in bypassing this issue; you will have to find a machine that correctly suits you. So which device do you pick? Below are some of the factors that you should consider before buying a board.

• Price is usually a factor to consider when purchasing a board, most cheap boards don’t allow a myriad of sockets, and this dramatically hinders upgrading, but this doesn’t rule out that there are no better cheap boards in the market. As you will notice from the above boards, some are pretty expensive and they lack cool features that rule out the cheaper models.
• Overclocking. A decade ago, nobody would have thought that you could ever overclock a machine. Currently every core i7 7700k board I know supports overclocking. This will be a significant advantage if you are playing high graphical games that involve quick moves.
• Brand- various manufacturers have gained credit over time for producing near-perfect motherboards. Additionally, most come up with aftermarket services, which are a great plus when, picking the right product.
• Reviews- this is the paramount tool that users share experience while using a particular product. User experience helps you narrow down on which product fits your needs and which doesn’t.
• Chipset – it is paramount that when you buying a board, always look for one where your chipsets will fit and function optimally. For instance some boards don’t support 8th generation chipsets, this is a bummer especially if you plan to upgrade your machine.
• Extra cooling features- it doesn’t take rocket science to know that pc boards overheat as you use it over short periods and as much as manufacturers may convince you several numbers of fans doesn’t solve the issue. It will be a great plus if your board comes with a water loop where you can fill it and let it cool overheated areas.

Conclusion 

The idea that you can have the best board in the market is next to impossible. This is because all boards serve different purposes. According to our research and tests we found Asus Maximus ix formula to carry the day but does this article give you the best board on the market, not 100% affirmative but to help you narrow down we have discussed a number of boards and given some important factors that you should look for that will surely interest you. It is important to note that when selecting a board, the key factor that should guide is what your profession is. If you are a gamer or a transcriber, I think a machine that overclocks and support a high graphical performance will be a plus for you. If you in the market for a board have a look at the above boards and if in case you already have one of these boards, tell me what you think. Happy shopping!

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