EVGA Z170 FTW Review

Hello hardware enthusiast. Today we take a look at EVGA’s Z170 FTW. One of three motherboards available from EVGA for the new Z170 platform along with the flagship Classified board, and the M-ATX Stinger. Available now on featuring a new BIOS GUI interface, a highly efficient VRM, a CPU socket that has 1.5X the amount of gold content for improved signal quality, 4 DIMM slots supporting 64GB of DDR4 memory, and support for SLI + PhysX to name a few. It’s quickly apparent when examining the Z170 FTW that a no-nonsense performance driven state of mind has calculated the design. With the Z170 FTW EVGA has done something brilliant that is no easy task, they have taken something extremely complex, such as a Z170 motherboard, and made it look simple. Components on the Z170 FTW that were not necessary were omitted, essential components are top of the line and carefully calculated to over achieve. It was once said that if one can not explain something simply, they do not fully understand the topic, EVGA’s end result with the Z170 FTW shows they understand something quite well, performance. In the style department the Z170 is also calm and calculated, Darth Vader would be proud on this one, though maybe it needs a little more black? What can you expect from the Z170 FTW? How does the Z170 FTW hold up against other contenders on the Z170 platform? Let’s take a look.

 

Specifications

• Chipset – Intel Z170
• SLI – 2-Way + PhysX
• SATA – 6 SATA 6G
• RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD
• USB – 8 USB 3.0 / 2 USB 2.0
• Memory Support – 4 DIMM Dual-Channel DDR4 3200MHz+ (up to 64GB)
• Capacitors – POSCAP/Solid State
• Ethernet – 1x Intel® Gigabit NIC
• Audio – 8 Channel High Definition Audio
• DisplayPort – 1x DP 1.2, 1x HDMI 1.4
• Fan Headers – 7 (2 PWM, 5 DC)
• PCB – 6 Layers
• PCI-E Slot Arrangement – 1×16, 1×8+2×4, 1×8+4+4+1
• NVMe Support – Yes (PCI-E)

Form Factor

• ATX Form Factor
• Length: 12in – 304.8mm
• Width: 9.6in – 243.8mm

Features

• 2-Way SLI® Support
• USB 3.0 Support
• SATA 6G Support
• Black Nickel CPU ILM
• 8 Channel High Definition Audio
• 100% Solid State Capacitors
• EVGA Vdroop Control
• EVGA E-LEET Tuning Support
• Onboard Clear CMOS, Power and Reset Buttons
• Onboard CPU Temperature Monitor
• PCI Express 3.0 Support
• 150% Increased Socket Gold Content
• Supports Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 Socket 1151 Processors

Inside the box you will find:

• EVGA Z170 FTW Motherboard
• EVGA Driver Installation Disk
• Rear Case I/O Panel
• Rear Case I/O Cover
• 2 SATA 6G Data Cable
• Manual