BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR SKYLAKE

A Skylake motherboard is a one-stop solution to slow and inefficient systems. Replace the old motherboards, and you will experience superior performance! So, grab the best deal right now and replace the old motherboards! To find out the BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR SKYLAKE, read on!

Inefficient, Skylake motherboards can fix lagged systems. So, replace your old motherboards today itself and experience a superior performance! Find out the top 10 bestselling Skylake motherboards here!

BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR SKYLAKE – BUYER’S GUIDE

RAM Technology

The most competitive Skylake motherboards have DDR3 or DDR4 RAM technology, fantastic build quality, heat dissipation features, and many other features that users look for in our latest devices.

RAM Size

These Skylake motherboards offer maximum RAM storage sizes of 256 Gb or more. Even during heavy-duty tasks, this amount of memory can provide maximum performance without lag.

Processor Speed

A Skylake motherboard with DDR3 or DDR4 has a fast processor speed of at least 4.3GHz, providing a quick overall response. It is the opposite of slow systems.

LAN Connectivity

Furthermore, Skylake motherboards have two or more wifi connector antenna ports. The good Skylake motherboards with wifi have Intel’s I219V Gigabit Ethernet Controller, which provides high-speed connectivity of at least 40Gb/s or even more without introducing any network interference into the performance of the system.

Weight

The days of bulky motherboards are over. Compared to standard motherboards, Skylake motherboards such as MSI, mini ITX, micro ATX, and many others weigh just a kilogram or even less, making them super lightweight and not bulky or heavy.

USB Ports

These Intel Skylake motherboards have more than 2 USB ports. Moreover, they have dual M.2 slots, three or more PCIe x16 slots, and three or more SATA Express slots. Connecting many external devices like pen drives, hard drives, and others simultaneously makes it more accessible.

Power Connector

Skylake motherboards come with one 24pin ATX main power connector, one of the most appealing features in terms of providing seamless use without consuming excessive power.

Chipsets

Different Skylake chipsets, such as the Intel H110 for micro ATX Skylake motherboards, are available. A chipset has variable specifications according to the user’s requirements.

Game Boost Dial

One of the most notable features of these Skylake motherboards is the game boost dial, one of the most significant features. The game boost dial automatically overclocks the system when needed. In addition to automatic overclocking, Skylake motherboards are also capable of manual overclocking.

Cooling

Motherboards that heat up are a common problem. Hence, the Steel Armor PCIe slots on these Skylake motherboards provide better cooling and protection during high-intensity applications. The system will also be more durable and optimized over time.

Voltage Regulator Module

Some of the most reliable budget Skylake motherboards have voltage regulator modules to control the additional power draw. They have excellent capabilities for optimizing the system now and then automatically or manually, which was not provided by regular motherboards.

Reset Buttons

For situations when the overclock suddenly stops working, Skylake motherboards also have onboard reset and power buttons. One can easily reset the system without hassle or external assistance by clicking on that.

LED Post Display

LED post displays can be beneficial when one is a beginner at troubleshooting issues since they provide relevant codes for the user’s convenience.

Price

As a result of such competitive features, one might consider Skylake motherboards incredibly expensive. Regarding gaming, it is wise to buy a Skylake motherboard, which can cost between $300 and $1000.

Warranty

Those who have issues with the system’s speed or any other problems with these Skylake motherboards may approach the brand and claim the warranty. Most motherboard manufacturers have at least a one-year to the six-year warranty period.

Gigabyte Z170x Gaming 7

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The Z170x Gaming 7 motherboard tops the list. Like the other motherboards on our list, it has four DDR4 DIMM sockets.

Additionally, it has an Intel Z170 chipset, dual M.2 ports, eight SATA 6GB/s ports, three SATA Express ports, the LGA 1151 processor socket, and the Intel Z170 chipset. A USB 2.0 port is absent but has two USB 3.1 and five USB 3.0 ports. It has two USB 3.1 and five USB 3.0 ports, so if you’re looking for USB slots, you’re lucky.

Among motherboards, it stands out for its audio capabilities. If you use cheap headphones, the sound quality is still excellent. You’ll notice how good the audio is on this even if you use your current portable speakers.

GPUs are heavy, but this motherboard can handle the stress well, so you shouldn’t see any sagging when using the PCI ports.

PROS

3D Gaming Audio by Creative SoundCore
supports Triple CrossFire and Quad SLI
it’s also Kaby Lake compatible

CONS

UEFI has not had as much fan control as on some Z170 motherboards.

MSI Pro X299 Raider

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There are few MSI motherboards on our list, but the MSI Pro X299 Raider provides outstanding performance with the Skylake processor.

It also features a USB 3.1 header and a U.2 slot on the front panel, so you can customize the look however you like.

Further, this motherboard is effective for overclocking as it can reach 4.6 GHz at 1.2 V, although ventilation needs to be improved since the single aluminum block is only for VRM cooling and does not have a heat pipe.

This motherboard is recommended for desktop and laptop users who want to optimize their computers due to its 24/7 reliability.

PROS

24/7 reliability
Twin-turbo M.2
audio quality

CONS

Diagnostic tools not available onboard

Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula

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If you regularly overclock, a motherboard designed for overclocking would be the most suitable choice.

Overclocking is safe with its integrated overclocking function and entire VRM water block. It is even more suitable for overclocking since it has a CrossChill water block directly connected to the VRMs.

On the Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula, you’ll find six SATA ports, two Express ports, and an M.2 port.

ROG also includes:

An RGB strip header.
Custom RGB illumination.
1.6-megapixel camera.
Three-zone RGB illumination.

A motherboard that an aesthetician can customize.

PROS

The overclocking feature is well integrated
with custom lighting options
provided by CrossChill waterblocks

CONS

Quite a few codes tend to appear when the computer is first started.

EVG X299 FTW K

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Our final EVG motherboard is a bit more minimalist than some of its competitors but is also more affordable than others. Even though it has a minimalist design and no flashy RGB, this motherboard continues to appeal to gamers.

You can still adjust the fan headers in the BIOS even though it is more straightforward than many others.

This motherboard has four PCI Express slots, six SATA 6GB/s ports, three M.2 sockets, and two U.2 ports, giving it an edge over more expensive solutions in terms of customization. These motherboards are an intelligent choice for gamers looking for a high-performance platform.

PROS

Cheaper alternative
Two USB ports
plus fourteen USB ports

CONS

BIOS Basics
Limited RGB

ASRock X-Series X299 Taichi

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ASRock is now the third-largest motherboard manufacturer in the world, so some profound expertise backs the X-Series X299 Taichi motherboard.

In addition to RGB LEDs and headers, this motherboard is compatible with its predecessor, the ROG Maximus VIII Formula. This motherboard isn’t just a top choice because of its aesthetics.

Additionally, there are ten SATA3 6GB/s slots on this motherboard and three M.2 sockets, so you can modify it as you wish. Despite being smaller than most, it is still sturdy—the motherboard measures 129.60.1 inches.

PROS

Color-customized processing periods that are easy to build
reliable VRMs
three M.2 slots
Affordable

CONS

Wireless AC periods onboard are slower.

EVGA Z390 Dark

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It is slightly different in design from the other motherboards from EVGA, an American brand based in southern California. Contrary to the many multicolored options we’ve seen, the only available color is black.

It is highly effective at overclocking due to its many features, including its cooling system. The VRM is cooled via a passive heatsink if you plan on running at higher core clock rates.

The 24-pin power connector and the 8-pin CPU power connector are on the board’s side. Additionally, two M.2 slots and six SATA ports are present.

PROS

Design with a sleek look
A cooling system that works
great for overclocking

CONS

CMOS batteries may arrive dead in some cases

Gigabyte AORUS X299 Gaming 3

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Regarding enthusiasts, you can’t go wrong with the Gigabyte Aorus X299 Gaming 3. Overclockers can adjust the BCLK frequency with the turbo B-clocking IC built into this board.

You will have no restrictions on overclocking since you can adjust from 90MHz to 500MHz. Intelligent Fan 5 has nine temperature sensors and eight hybrid fan headers that can be interchanged and allow you to place the temperature sensors in different places depending on your requirements.

You can customize the device in various ways, so it’s a perfect choice if you like customizing. Aside from two M.2 slots, 3-way graphics support, and eight memory slots, this motherboard maximizes the many features of Skylake processors. This advanced configuration makes it possible to use newer technologies.

PROS

IC for tuning the turbo B-clock
a system with LED lights
Good cooling system

CONS

Very expensive

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Are skylake motherboards compatible with coffee Lake?

Despite utilizing the same LGA 1151 socket as the 100 and 200 series, the 300 series chipsets are only compatible with Coffee Lake processors. Therefore, older motherboards do not officially support Coffee Lake processors, and 300 series motherboards do not formally support Skylake or Kaby Lake processors.

What are the differences between Z170 and Z270?

The maximum number of PCI Express lanes the motherboard can support is one of the significant differences between the Z170 and Z270 platforms. There are a maximum of 20 PCI Express lanes on the Z170 platform, while there are 24 lanes on the Z270 platform.

Is Z170 compatible with the 8th generation?

Intel’s 8th-gen processors are compatible with the pins on an older LGA 1151 motherboard – meaning its Z270 or Z170 motherboards aren’t compatible with the processors due to minor differences in the power supply.

Conclusion

After considering these factors, you should now be able to select a motherboard that fits your needs. Various sizes and features are available, so there are many choices.

Consider the purpose of the PC, as well as the extensions you intend to add when choosing one. It’s time to select the Skylake motherboard that’s right for you now that you know our recommended models.