Best Z370 Motherboards: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Anybody looking to squeeze several more years from an 8th Generation Intel Core processor should take advantage of the best Z370 motherboard.
While the 10th and 11th Generation Intel Core CPUs have already hit the shelves recently, they are still quite expensive for many PC builders on a budget.
If you need CNVi support, USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and want to get the most out of a 9th Gen processor, then a Z390 chipset motherboard is a better option.
In this lineup, we shall present reviews of five of the top-rated Z370 mobos available in the market.
We will tackle units from different price points, and we will list the prominent features and the pros and cons of each.
Comparison Chart
Z370 Motherboard Reviews
1. Asus ROG Maximus X Hero Wi-Fi AC Gaming Motherboard
The Asus ROG Maximus X Hero brings more additional features and overclocking support than many other Z370 motherboards.
It is an enthusiast-grade motherboard improving on the features of the Maximus IX Hero.
If you don’t need wireless connectivity, there is a cheaper non-Wi-Fi version of this board.
ALSO READ: Best Z390 Motherboard
Review
The first improvement from the Maximus IX Hero is a thick M.2 heat shield lying between the CPU and the primary PCIe x16 slot.
Another improvement is a better, sturdy-looking I/O shield.
While the ROG Maximus X Hero offers overclocking control features for enthusiasts, the debug LEDs are awkwardly positioned far from these controls.
Besides that, the board presents a sleek finish and a clean layout, carefully emphasizing the red and black scheme of the ROG family.
- Memory, Expansion, and Storage Options
The ROG Maximus X Hero has four DDR4 memory slots capable of holding up to 64GB and overclocking 4133 MHz max RAM speed.
It has three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots.
These expansion slots are capable of running multiple GPUs using SLI or CrossFireX.
Storage interfaces include two M.2 sockets and six SATA 6Gbps ports.
- Designed for Water Cooling
Among the options on our list, the ROG Maximus X Hero offers the most fan headers dotted around the PCB.
Additionally, Asus designed this board, especially for peripheral water cooling devices.
Its fan headers support up to 36 watts of power, and its water-cooling features include flow-meter support for esoteric setups.
- Intensive Connectivity
While the ROG Maximus X Hero includes both LAN and Wi-Fi, it also incorporates the latest USB Type-C port into the rear panel.
Additional connectivity features include audio jacks, RGB lighting headers, a 3D printing mount, an HDMI, a DisplayPort, and multiple USBs.
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2. Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 Motherboard
Aorus continues to be a world-leading brand under Gigabyte for high-performance motherboards, and the Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 is a fine example.
It is a pretty solid motherboard carrying a sizable amount of gaming features while sitting at a very affordable price point.
Review
The Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 features a black and red color scheme with an Aorus logo that lights up on the M.2 heatsink.
In addition to the onboard LEDs, the board has two RGB headers and two addressable RGB connectors.
The Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 does not hold back in the aesthetic department at its very affordable price point.
- Memory, Expansion, and Storage Options
The Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 motherboard has four DDR4 memory sockets supporting up to 64GB of system memory.
Maximum overclocked speeds can reach up to 4000MHz.
Two PCIe x16 slots and four PCIe x4 slots conform to the PCIe 3.0 standard.
These expansion slots allow multi-graphics using AMD Quad-GPU and 2-Way Crossfire.
The storage interface includes two M.2 slots and six SATA 6Gbps connectors that support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.
- Overclock Button and Header
One notable feature specific to the Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 is its overclocking button.
In the 90s, some old motherboards had “Turbo” buttons on the PCB.
With that in mind, Gigabyte wanted to bring back the user-friendly, easy-access feature through the overclocking button on the rear panel.
Additionally, a synchronized header leads to the reset and power buttons on your front panel.
You can repurpose one of these front-panel buttons to double as the overclocking button.
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3. Asus Prime Z370-A Motherboard 319
The Asus Prime Series reduces the difficulties of performance tuning to something that is much like a walk in the park.
Using intuitive software and firmware features, DIY PC builders can enjoy intelligent tuning options and comprehensive cooling solutions with an Asus Prime.
Asus offers the Prime Series with the Z370 chipset through the Prime Z370-A motherboard.
Review
The Asus Prime Z370-A motherboard offers great value for PC builders looking for improved memory performance, SLI multi-graphics support, and more storage options.
Supporting SLI multi-GPU technology is the main advantage of the Prime Z370-A compared to other boards on the list, seeing as the ROG Maximus X Hero is more expensive.
Even today, it remains the best SLI-capable Z370 motherboard having a very affordable price tag.
Overall, the board has a pretty stylish look, carrying white and silver tones on its heatsinks and white decals on an otherwise all-black PCB.
- Memory, Expansion, and Storage Options
Memory-wise, the Asus Prime Z370-A has a similar four-slot setup to the first two products we presented, supporting up to 64GB.
Maximum clocked memory speeds also sit at 4000MHz.
The three PCIe 3.0 x16 sockets are responsible for the SLI and 3-Way CrossFireX support, and four PCIe 3.0 x1 sockets are included for smaller expansion cards.
Storage options include two M.2 slots capable of running at x4 mode and six SATA 6Gbps ports.
If you can sacrifice the second M.2 slot to run only at x2 mode, you can use all three x16 PCIe 3.0 sockets simultaneously.
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CONS
4. MSI Z370 Gaming Plus Motherboard 327
The MSI Z370 Gaming Plus motherboard is an entry-level option for 8th Gen Intel processors.
Wanting a budget-friendly system that still supports a multi-GPU setup gets easier with this motherboard.
Review
The MSI Z370 Gaming Plus motherboard belongs to the lower end of the spectrum for value-oriented gaming boards.
It does not offer many features for overclocking and support SLI multi-GPU setups.
It also has smaller heatsinks than the other alternatives, and it minimizes RGB functionality to a single header.
A better alternative to the Gaming Plus is the Gaming Pro Carbon AC, but it also comes at a higher price point.
- Memory, Expansion, and Storage Options
Maximum memory stock speeds for the MSI Z370 Gaming Plus can reach 2667MHz, typically higher than the stock speeds of the other choices.
However, if you overclock, the four DDR4 memory slots can reach data speeds up to 4000MHz.
The memory slots on this board also support up to 64GB of RAM.
Two PCIe 3.0 x16 sockets enable 2-Way AMD CrossFire multi-graphics, and four PCIe 3.0 x1 slots can accommodate smaller expansion cards.
Since it lacks a built-in PLX chip, the MSI Z370 Gaming Plus cannot support NVIDIA SLI technology.
Unfortunately, the MSI Z370 Gaming Plus only has a single M.2 slot, and using it with a SATA SSD disables the first of six SATA 6Gbps ports.
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5. ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac Motherboard 285
All of the motherboards we’ve had so far come in the ATX form factor, and we’re ending these reviews with a slight deviation.
The ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac uses the Mini-ITX form factor, which is smaller than the ATX.
Its smaller size allows setups using tighter spaces and smaller PC enclosures.
Review
Even if it is such a small board, the ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac broadens and balances the options for overclockers of mainstream CPUs.
Since a mini-ITX form factor reduces the available connectors on a board in many ways, we strongly suggest that you go for a panel with the slots or sockets you need.
- Memory, Expansion, and Storage Options
Having a smaller form factor also means that the motherboard has fewer slots or sockets for various components.
The ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac only has two DDR4 DIMM slots capable of holding up to 32GB RAM and overclocking around 4333MHz.
Even if it has the highest recorded RAM clock, your overclocking records will ultimately depend on your CPU.
The board also only has a single PCIe 3.0 x16 socket and a single M.2 slot to make way for six SATA 6Gbps ports.
- Connectivity Features
Although the ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac comes in a Mini-ITX build, it saves up some space for a Wi-Fi module.
In addition to the built-in Intel LAN adapter, it houses an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC adapter capable of making connections through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
You can also expect top transfer speeds or high-resolution display outputs with the included Thunderbolt 3 header.
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FINAL VERDICT
In our opinion, the top Z370 motherboard doesn’t have to be very expensive since you’re only trying to spend a few more years with your 8th Gen processor.
Save up for the newer models in the future by getting the best value from a product at a lower price point.
With that said, we recommend the Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 3 motherboard as our best bet.
The Asus ROG Maximus X Hero is, no doubt, the best of all the options here, but it can be a waste of good money if you plan to upgrade to the newer CPUs soon.
The Gigabyte Aorus Z370 Gaming 3 lets you get the most out of your existing 8th Gen processor, and it doesn’t leave a big hole in your pocket.
