New build, need help choosing motherboard!

[rrrrramos]

Currently in the process of upgrading my 5 year old desktop, and I think I've got my build figured out down to everything but the motherboard. Here is the current parts list on PC Parts Picker: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/dWvdm8

Note, the video card is the Asus Strix 1070. It won't let me actually pick that on there.

As far as requirements for the build, I'll be using it for medium gaming, and entry level photo editing & graphic design. Nothing too intense as I'm just getting my foot back in the door in respect to well, all of those. I'll likely add a second card down the road so SLI is a must. I'll be overclocking as well, so I'd prefer a Z170 board. Additionally I'll be building a custom loop for the system or using an expandable AIO (EK Predator is looking pretty nice to me!). I'm in my 20's and move fairly often, so while it's not a requirement, a board with on-board WiFi would be great to have just in case I move somewhere that I can't hardwire it. I've had horrible experience with USB WiFi so I'd like to move past that. 

Aesthetically I'm looking for something that will look good in my build while having the features I need. RGB lighting isn't a must, as I've got the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe & their LED strip which will more than overpower any on-board RGB. One thing I would really like is shielding over the I/O section. I'm also looking for color netural, or minimal accent on the board/heatsinks/shielding. White would be acceptable too, anything that will make the board not too overpowering.

Finally, price. I'm looking to spend about $250, give or take. I realize that a Z170 board is going to be a higher end board, especially with the things I'm looking for and the price will reflect that. 

To give an idea of what I've been looking at thus far, I started with the Asus Maximus VIII Formula before I realized that spending almost $400 on a motherboard might be a little crazy when I can get most of the features for a lot cheaper. I then moved onto the Maximus VIII Hero/Hero Alpha. And now I'm on the fence with that one. I'm not tied down to Asus either, though it may seem like it haha. 

Any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[GDRRiley]

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/k4dFf7/asus-motherboard-z170e grab that

[dragoon20005]

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/qkX2FT/msi-motherboard-z170apro

 

so far this is one of those no frills mobo

 

decent amount of ports and SATA ports

 

 

[Antony Leung]

Welcome to the Linustechtips forums! (aka LTT)

 

For your case, im my opinion:

 

The Z170 -Deluxe is the prefect chooice between the luxury and the cheap option. and it got everything that you will need and some features that could be futureproof. cost 300$. but if you say, it expensive, ok, okey. get the Z170- A. it's 150$

[rrrrramos]

25 minutes ago, Antony Leung said:

Welcome to the Linustechtips forums! (aka LTT)

 

For your case, im my opinion:

 

The Z170 -Deluxe is the prefect chooice between the luxury and the cheap option. and it got everything that you will need and some features that could be futureproof. cost 300$. but if you say, it expensive, ok, okey. get the Z170- A. it's 150$

Thanks!

When @GDRRiley suggested the Z170-E I immediately popped over to check out the Z170-A. It ALMOST has everything I'd like, and the Deluxe has everything. Like you said though, that price tag pops it up a bit, but it's well worth it. I'm doing research on both the boards now! 

[JJVGaming]

Just my preference, but I would rather go for the MSI z170A SLI or z170A sli plus. IMO I dont like the brown/black tinge of the other boards shown, plus the z170a sli is probably the cheapest sli board you can get. Both of these boards have completely black pcb and heatsinks.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130902&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-N82E16813130902&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt-G8BRDktsvwpPTn1PkBEiQA-MRsBel6vYa7Su2SKNe0CO_liPEkKiBmMEYFcpp7Iql7w2caAk_08P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130900&cm_re=z170_msi_plus-_-13-130-900-_-Product 

[JJVGaming]

Also, if you do not like those choices, you can go with the evga classified k, which is exactly $250:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188181&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-N82E16813188181&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt-G8BRDktsvwpPTn1PkBEiQA-MRsBYohscAlLSPkARwmJxb9WNewPRzZ_ZQ13SoEs-shSxEaAoV28P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[rrrrramos]

8 hours ago, JJVGaming said:

Also, if you do not like those choices, you can go with the evga classified k, which is exactly $250:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188181&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-N82E16813188181&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt-G8BRDktsvwpPTn1PkBEiQA-MRsBYohscAlLSPkARwmJxb9WNewPRzZ_ZQ13SoEs-shSxEaAoV28P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

That EVGA looks amazing but I've been seeing its got some clearance issues with the video card when using the I/O cover (which I want). 

So far the Asus Z170 Deluxe is the one really catching my eyes!