Intel® recently unveiled their latest generation processors, which are perfect for gamers and content creators alike. Just In case you’re relatively new to core components, your motherboard is the most important component of your PC. Every motherboard has a set of chips that define the types and limits of communications between the processor and external devices. Intel’s eighth-generation products feature multiple architectures in addition to the new 15-watt Kaby Lake-R release. These chipsets are optimized for thin notebooks and hybrid tablets. The major caveat of this chipset unveiling is that you will probably need to replace your motherboard. We review all the best motherboards for the new Intel® chips in this guide, so you can shop with confidence.
Closer Look at the New Intel® Chips
Standard motherboard chipsets are designed with consumers in mind, but the new series processors are built with a different pin layout for more demanding applications. While rolling out the latest Z370 generation, Intel® promises a more fluid and powerful gaming experience, as well as improved overclocking and an enhanced platform with the power delivery needed for their new six-core processors to reach maximum performance.
Best Motherboards for the New Intel Intel® Chips
There are more than 50 new motherboard and system designs available from a variety of leading manufacturers, but we only rounded up the best. Keep reading to learn more.
Z370 AORUS Gaming 7
If money is no object, the Z370 gaming motherboard by GIGABYTE™ outshines the competition. Each motherboard comes equipped with RGB Fusion, digital LED support, Ultra Durable™ LAN protection, an ultra-fast interface with thermal guard, USB treatment with adjustable voltage, and a whole host of features. These motherboards were aggressively redesigned with enhanced core and memory overclocking, all in an attractive ATX tower case.
ASUS® ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming
If a small form factor is more your style, look no further than the Mini-ITX motherboard by ASUS®. This best-in-class “mobo” is loaded with overclocking and cooling innovations to keep your gaming rig's thermals in check as you turn up the clock. Factor in custom Aura RGB illumination and superior SupremeFX audio, and you'll know that this looks great and sounds amazing. Create custom LED lighting effects to cast a multi-color glow across your build.
MSI® Z370 Godlike Gaming
Searching for an E-ATX sized board with a lot of features? MSI® recently introduced their Z370 motherboards, and the Godlike Gaming model is a force to be reckoned with. Each motherboard model includes Triple Killer™ LAN to prevent throttle, full gaming IO cover, isolated audio with Nahimic 2 software, and so much more. Plus, you gain enough fan headers to cool your system any way you want for reliable performance.
ASRock Z370 Professional Gaming i7
ASRock offers an improved power phase design with unmatched overclocking capabilities, lower temperatures, and system stability. Their Professional Gaming i7 motherboard is optimized for virtual reality and provides all the features you need to take on all sorts of arduous computing tasks, including double the available transfer bandwidth.
