ASUS SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 – Reporting For Duty !

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1

One bright sunny morning the design team at ASUS held a meeting, the topic being; “What can be done to make the new SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 worthy of it’s name?” One employee suggested they bathe the motherboard in bright flashy colors and use sub par components to save cost, he was politely but firmly escorted off the premises. The next employee suggested a build quality and feature set bound with meticulous R&D that is rarely seen in a product, also that it should be able to withstand a blast from an RPG… After promoting that individual ASUS ordered some rockets and began development of the TUF SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1. *100% true story – or not.

Hello hardware enthusiast. While the story above is fiction it does hold a bit of fact, ASUS does not mess around when it comes to the development of TUF line. If you have owned a TUF motherboard in the past you are well aware of the attention to detail and research and development that is put into the final product. If you have never owned a TUF motherboard and are considering owning one you may want to buckle up and prepare to be staggered while you take in the vast amount of features and overall wow factor the SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 has to offer. Unlike some other motherboards that wow with flashy colors, the SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 wows as it screams “Attention to detail!” when under close examination. The TUF Thermal Armor and TUF design by ASUS is quite unlike anything else on the market with TUF 10K Ti-Caps, TUF Alloy Chokes and MOSFETs.

To start off with a bang and give an idea of the level of development process for the SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 we have included a video from ASUS showing the procedures and abuse the SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 gets subjected to in the TUF labs.

And now a look at a full specification chart to see what all the SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 has to offer, a few key features include:

• USB 3.1 onboard: One Type-A port plus a reversible Type-C port
• Thermal Armor with Flow Valve – Strengthen your ability. Totally boosted airflow.
• TUF Fortifier – Damage Protection and Improved Cooling
• TUF Detective 2 – system information at your fingertips
• TUF ICe & Thermal Radar 2 – Total cooling system
• Dust Defenders – Repel the Dust, Expand the Lifespan
• TUF Components

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z170 MARK 1 Specifications

CPU	Intel® Socket 1151 for 6th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types. * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset	Intel Z170
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
Graphics	Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports – Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz – Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz Maximum shared memory of 1024 MB Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ DP 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant, supports DP 1.2 monitor daisy chain up to 3 displays
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI™ Technology Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots	2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (max at x4 mode) *1 3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1
Storage	Intel® Z170 chipset : 2 x SATA Express port, Compatible with 4 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 x4 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)*2 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports*3 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology*4 ASMedia® SATA 6Gb/s controller : *5 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), beige,
LAN	Intel® I219V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) Realtek® RTL8111H, 1 x Gigabit LAN Gigabit Intel® LAN Connection- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance ASUS Turbo LAN Utility ASUS LAN Guard
Audio	Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 3 – Supports : Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking – High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording input (Line-in) Audio Feature : – Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel – BD Audio Layer Content Protection – Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference – Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals – Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers – Unique de-pop circuit: Reduces start-up popping noise to audio outputs – Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration – Absolute Pitch 192khz/24bit true BD lossless sound Separate layer for left and right track, ensuring both sound deliver equal quality
USB Ports	Intel® Z170 chipset : 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 4 at mid-board) Intel® Z170 chipset : 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board) ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 1 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, teal blue, Type-A) ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 1 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, , Type-C, Reversible)
Back I/O Ports	1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x USB 3.1 (teal blue)Type-A 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C 4 x USB 2.0 2 x USB 3.0 (blue) (one port can be switched to USB BIOS Flashback) 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 5 x Audio jack(s) 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s) 1 x 8-channel Audio I/O 1 x TUF Detective USB port
Internal I/O Ports	1 x AAFP connector 2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 2 x SATA Express connector: , Compatible with 4 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Supports both SATA & PCIE SSD) 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 6 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 3 x Assistant Fan connector(s) (1 x 3 -pin, ) 1 x S/PDIF out header(s) 1 x Thunderbolt header(s) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector) 1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector(s) 1 x DRCT header(s) 1 x MemOK! button(s) 3 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x CPU OV 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) 1 x Water Pump header (4-pin) 1 x 14-1 pin TPM connector
BIOS	128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Special Features	OC Design – ASUS PRO Clock Technology – Full BCLK range for extreme overclocking performance TUF Features: TUF ENGINE! Power Design : – 8 +4 Digital Phase Power Design – TUF Components (New Alloy Choke, Ti-Cap. & MOSFET; certified by military-standard) – ASUS DIGI+ Power Control Utility Ultimate COOL! Thermal Solution : – TUF Thermal Armor with Flow Valve – TUF Thermal Radar 2 with Thermistors – TUF ICe Safe & Stable! Guardian Angel : “We Got Your Back!” Shape Force – TUF Fortifier – Dust Defenders with connector covers and back I/O dust filter – TUF ESD Guards 2 ASUS Exclusive Features : – GPU Boost – USB BIOS Flashback – MemOK! – AI Suite 3 – Ai Charger – Ai Charger+ – M.2 & SATA Express – Anti-Surge – Front Panel USB 3.0 Support – ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface – USB 3.1 Boost – Disk Unlocker – Turbo LAN – PC Cleaner ASUS EZ DIY : – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 – ASUS EZ Flash 3 – ASUS USB BIOS Flashback – ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode – Multi-language BIOS ASUS Q-Design : – ASUS Q-Shield – ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED, HDD LED) – ASUS Q-Slot – ASUS Q-DIMM – ASUS Q-Connector Overclocking Protection : – ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Notes	*1: The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with SATA6G_56. The PCIe x16_3 is default set at x2 mode. Supports Intel® RST for PCIE RAID storage. *2: The M.2 socket shares SATA ports with SATA Express_1 port. Adjust BIOS settings to use an M.2 SATA device. *3: Supports PCIE RAID configurations via onboard M.2 and PCIEX16_3 slot storages. *4: These functions will work depending on the CPU installed. *5: These SATA ports are for data hard drivers only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

Accessories

User’s manual Accessory Guide ASUS Q-Shield 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x M.2 Screw Package 1 x CPU installation tool 1 x Supporting DVD 1 x HYPERM.2 X4 with M Key design, type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (1 in 1) 2 x Accessory Fan(s) ( 35 /40 mm ) 1 x TUF Certification card(s) 1 x TUF 5 Year Warranty manual(s) (by region) 1 x TUF Inside sticker(s)(white) 1 x STAY COOL BE TUF sticker(s)(white) 1 x Bead Chain for Metalic Cover 1 x Accessory Package(s): – 3 x PCIe x16 slot dust cover(s) – 2 x DRAM slot dust cover(s) – 3 x PCIe x1 slot dust cover(s) – 2 x Short fan screw(s) – 4 x Long fan screw(s) – 3 x Thermistor cable(s) – 1 x back I/O dust frame – 1 x back I/O dust grid – 1 x connector dust cover collection (On board USB 3.0, DVI, HDMI, DP, LAN) – 2 x On board USB 2.0 connector dust cover(s) – 8 x back I/O USB connector dust cover(s) – 7 x On board SATA connector dust cover(s) – 2 x SATA Express conector dust cover(s) – 5 x Audio connector dust cover(s)

As you can see the feature list is immense. ASUS does an excellent job of listening to the end user.