Kaby Lake is Intel’s codename for its 7th generation processors based on a 14nm process. Compared to its predecessor, Skylake processors, Intel’s 7th generation Kaby Lake processors have an improved clock speed, better built-in Intel UHD graphics 630, better cooling, 4K support, and compatibility with Intel’s Optane memory.
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So if you are trying to find the best motherboard for your old Kaby Lake processor, you have hit the right spot. In this post, I have listed the 5 best motherboards based on the Z270 chipset that can push your chip’s limit and fully utilize it.
Best Motherboards For Kaby Lake
You might wonder why I have prioritized Z270 chipset motherboards, leaving behind other Kaby Lake motherboards like the Z170, B250, H270, etc. Well, it’s true all these motherboards are compatible with Kaby Lake processors, but only the Z270-based boards have the ability to overclock your old processor. So if you have a ‘K’ series processor, then you can overclock its capabilities on this motherboard.
| Best Motherboards For Kaby Lake | Form Factor | Chipset | Memory Support | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-4133+(OC) | |
| ASRock Z270 Extreme4 | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-2133+ | |
| MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC | ATX or mITX | Z270 | DDR4-3866+ | |
| ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-2133+ | |
| GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5 | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-4133+ |
| Best Motherboards For Kaby Lake | Form Factor | Chipset | Memory Support | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-4133+(OC) | |
| ASRock Z270 Extreme4 | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-2133+ | |
| MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC | ATX or mITX | Z270 | DDR4-3866+ | |
| ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-2133+ | |
| GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5 | ATX | Z270 | DDR4-4133+ |
In this post, I have categorized each of these motherboards into — Top Pick, Runner-up, Mini-ITX, Value for Money, and Budget.
Having said that, here are the 5 best motherboards for Kaby Lake processors along with in-depth info about each one.
Top Pick: MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium
If you are looking for the best-performing motherboard that can overclock your Kaby Lake processors, look no further than the MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium. Solid aesthetics, sturdy build, excellent overclocking, and impressive performance make it my top pick for Kaby Lake processors.
The MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 6th and 7th generation i3, i5, and i7 processors. It comes with four DIMM slots that can hold up to 64GB of memory and can be overclocked to 4133MHz.
Display connectivity options include one HDMI port and one DisplayPort 1.2 with both supporting 4K resolution at 30Hz and 60Hz, respectively. Apart from that, it has three M.2 slots, eight SATA III ports, four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports.
Overall, the MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium is a complete package with loads of features and stunning designs to make you feel cool. To get the best out of your processor, I would recommend this motherboard without a doubt.
Pros
- Solid aesthetics
- Sturdy build quality
- Three M.2 slots
- Great overclocking capabilities
- Excellent performance
Cons
- No built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
- Quite expensive
Runner-up: ASRock Z270 Extreme4
The next best motherboard in line is the ASRock Z270 Extreme4 with stable performance, an average can demand. It costs much less than the MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium and delivers great overclocking performance. If you don’t want to spend $600 on a motherboard, then this ~$400 board might be your best bet.
The ASRock Z270 Extreme4 is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 6th and 7th generation i3, i5, and i7 processors. It comes with four DIMM slots that can hold up to 64GB of memory and can be overclocked to 3866+MHz.
For display connectivity, it has one HDMI port, one DVI-D port, and one D-Sub port, with the first one supporting 4K at 60HZ, and both the second and third one supporting Full HD at 60Hz.
Talking about other features, it has two M.2 slots, eight SATA III ports, three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. Putting it together, you can easily bank on this motherboard for the performance you require for your Kaby Lake processor.
Pros
- Great performance
- Easy overclocking
- Three display options
- Dual M.2 slots for storage
Cons
- No built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
Mini-ITX: MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC
For those enthusiasts who are building a mini-ITX PC based on a compact-size motherboard and mini-tower PC case, nothing can be much better than having the MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC. Its small size but the excellent performance makes it a perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts with little space.
The MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC is a mini-ITX motherboard that supports Intel 6th and 7th generation i3, i5, and i7 processors. It comes with two DIMM slots that can hold up to 32GB of memory and can be overclocked to 3800MHz.
Display connectivity options include one HDMI 1.4 port and one DisplayPort 1.2, with both supporting 4K resolution at 30Hz and 60Hz, respectively. Other features include a single M.2 slot, four SATA III ports, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, built-in Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v4.2, two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and three USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports.
That said, the MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC is the best mini-ITX motherboard at present.
Surely there might be some better-equipped motherboards than this, but they are not as affordable as this one. So if you want better performance at a low cost, then this motherboard should be your choice.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Great overclocking capabilities
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Affordable price
Cons
- Low memory capacity
- System Fan headers are not controllable independently
Value for Money: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero
When there are ample options available in the market, it gets quite hard to find the right motherboard that has a good price-to-performance ratio. At least, it gives you the satisfaction that whatever you are getting at that price is all that you can get. Considering that, I have picked ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero as the best value-for-money motherboard.
The ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 6th and 7th generation i3, i5, and i7 processors based on LGA 1151 socket.
It comes with four DIMM slots that can hold up to 64GB of memory and can be overclocked to 4133MHz. Display connectivity options include one HDMI port and one DisplayPort, with both supporting 4K resolution at 24Hz and 60Hz, respectively.
The board also sports dual M.2 slots for storage, six SATA III ports, three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, two USB 3.1 ports, six USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 3.1 Gen 2 port.
Summing up, the design and performance of ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero are good and seem reasonable for the price.
Pros
- Looks attractive
- Good performance
- Great overclocking capabilities
- Value for money
Cons
- No built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
Budget: GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5
One of the major problems people suffer while building their dream PC is budget. And the performance of the motherboard depends on how much you are ready to shell out from your pocket. So like most builders, if you are too facing a budget problem, don’t worry, I have picked the right motherboard that can do the job for you without breaking the bank.
The GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5, as I write this, is currently available at a price of $189 on Amazon. Considering the price, the board is loaded with decent features and delivers good performance. Looks-wise, Gigabyte has done a great job customizing the board with RGB lights.
Starting with specifications, it is an ATX motherboard that supports Intel 6th and 7th generation i3, i5, and i7 processors. It comes with four DIMM slots that can hold up to 64GB of memory and can be overclocked to 4133MHz.
For display connectivity, you have one HDMI 1.4 port and one DisplayPort 1.2, with both supporting 4K resolution at 24Hz and 60Hz, respectively. It also includes two M.2 slots, six SATA III ports, three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and eight USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports.
Concluding it, I would say the GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5 is a decent motherboard with all the necessary features you will need to run your Kaby Lake processors smoothly.
Pros
- Customizable RGB lights
- Decent performance
- Plenty of fan headers
- Cost-effective
Cons
- No built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
- No LED lights on the I/O panel
The Takeaway
This completes the list of the 5 best motherboards for Kaby Lake processors in 2022. While there are plenty of options available out there, the above 5 are the best I found based on their price, features, and performance.
So, if you are looking for some top options, you can go for the MSI Enthusiastic Z270 XPOWER Gaming Titanium. Or in case you need a compact-size mobo, then the MSI Performance Z270I Gaming Pro Carbon AC is the best option.
And lastly, if they sound expensive to you, go for the cheaper GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 5, which will cost you less than $200.
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