Motherboard suggestions for this build?

[duxck]

I'm thinking of upgrading my PC (Almost buy a new complete one) will just keep the case and the GPU. 

 

These are the parts that I plan on buying: 
CPU: Intel Core i7 7700K 4,2GHz Socket 1151 Box without Cooler
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX Black DDR4 PC25600/3200MHz CL16 2x8GB (Been looking at the 2x16 or 4x8 as well, don't really know the difference between those options). 
M.2: Samsung 960 EVO Series MZ-V6E250BW 250GB
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO Series MZ-75E500B 500GB
CPU Cooler: Be Quiet! Pure Rock
PSU: EVGA 650 GQ 650W

 

I have a XFX Radeon RX 480 8GB GTR Black Edition since before which I will stick with for now. 
What I want to make sure is that I can either buy a second RX 480 and run in crossfire or switch it for a 1080ti.

 

I also wish to run my OS and regular work applications from the Samsung 960 NVMe drive. I would like to be able to upgrade with a secondary M.2 NVMe 500GB stick at a later time. 
So my questions. Which motherboard would be suitable for this build? I don't understand how the PCIe lanes work and if I get the second NVMe how might that affect my GPU?

 

When looking at motherboards these three popped out for me (Though I don't really understand what differentiate them):
Asus ROG Strix Z270F Gaming
MSI Z270-A Pro
MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon

 

Thanks a lot in advance.
duxck

[TheSLSAMG]

The x16 slots on board use CPU lanes, while the NVME drives should use the Z270 chipset's lanes, so there shoudn't be bandwidth issues from that perspective.

 

if you want two M.2 drives, you cannot use the Z270-A Pro since it only has one M.2 slot. The other boards however will run two drives without issue, however some SATA ports will be disabled. Both boards also support SLI and Crossfire, so either the Pro Carbon or the Strix will work fine.

 

On the topic of RAM, 2x16GB will be two sticks. This will allow for further expansion in the future without having to ditch your current kit, while 4x8GB will not. 

[xGGAx]

I would suggest Asus because you get the aura headers. Get a couple of RGB strips and you get a light show in your case.

[Colin Donoghue]

what about the MSI Z270 Gaming M7

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130969&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,

it has automatic overclocking if you aren't experience in computers and overclocking

[duxck]

 

22 minutes ago, TheSLSAMG said:

The x16 slots on board use CPU lanes, while the NVME drives should use the Z270 chipset's lanes, so there shoudn't be bandwidth issues from that perspective.

 

if you want two M.2 drives, you cannot use the Z270-A Pro since it only has one M.2 slot. The other boards however will run two drives without issue, however some SATA ports will be disabled. Both boards also support SLI and Crossfire, so either the Pro Carbon or the Strix will work fine.

 

On the topic of RAM, 2x16GB will be two sticks. This will allow for further expansion in the future without having to ditch your current kit, while 4x8GB will not. 

Thanks for that information. And yeah will probably go for the 2x16 at first. Seems like the I will go for the Asus

 

17 minutes ago, xGGAx said:

I would suggest Asus because you get the aura headers. Get a couple of RGB strips and you get a light show in your case.

I have a closed case without a window so RGB would only entertain my fans

 

11 minutes ago, Colin Donoghue said:

what about the MSI Z270 Gaming M7

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130969&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,

it has automatic overclocking if you aren't experience in computers and overclocking

 

That one would work but it is a lot more expensive than the Asus and the MSI Pro Carbon. 

[Colin Donoghue]

1 minute ago, duxck said:

That one would work but it is a lot more expensive than the Asus and the MSI Pro Carbon. 

for me it says the asus board is $242 and the m7 is $219

[duxck]

6 hours ago, Colin Donoghue said:

for me it says the asus board is $242 and the m7 is $219

Odd, for me on newegg the Asus is $215 and the MSI $219 while in Sweden where I live the Asus is 1690SEK and the MSI is 2449SEK. Damn electronics

[duxck]

Any thoughts on the MSI Z270 SLI PLUS ? http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/msi-z270-sli-plus-kaby-lake-atx-motherboard,4886.html