Final decision on motherboard, 3 very similar types

[KCmetro]

I'm looking at 3 variations of ASUS 170s...

 

    Asus Z170 PRO GAMING    LGA1151    ATX    4    64GB     (20)        $121.99

    Asus Z170 PRO GAMING/AURA    LGA1151    ATX    4    64GB     (6)        $129.99

    Asus Z170-PRO    LGA1151    ATX    4    64GB     (8)        $146.98

 

Pro Gaming & Pro Gaming/Aura both have additional ports:

 

 

 

 

Pro doesn't have as many:

 

Granted, the VGA's no longer needed, but the additional USB 3.0 ports are nice on both gaming boards.

 

The Pro (non-gaming) costs more than both gaming models.

 

The only other differences I see are....

 

The gaming mobos:

DDR4-2133 / 2400 / 2666 / 2800 / 2933 / 3000 / 3200 / 3300 / 3333 / 3400 (gaming)

DDR4-2133 / 2400 / 2666 / 2800 / 2933 / 3000 / 3200 / 3333 / 3400 / 3466 (gaming aura)

The non-gaming board:

DDR4-2133 / 2400 / 2666 / 2800 / 3000 / 3200 / 3300 / 3333 / 3400 / 3466 / 3600 / 3733 / 3800 / 3866

 

SATA 6 GB/S:

Gaming = 4 (+1 SATA express)

Gaming Aura = 6

Pro = 4 (+1 SATA express)

 

Onboard video:

Gaming & Aura = depend on CPU

Pro = onboard

 

I'm getting 32GB RAM, so the 64GB cap is nice, and am looking at getting a 512GB M.2 SSD (instead of the SATA variety).

 

Of the 3 170s, which one is a better deal?

 

Computer will be heavy gaming & lightweight server.

 

Current build:

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

 

[Vigilante505]

I'd get either of the "gaming" models. Looks to be your best bet.

[KCmetro]

3 minutes ago, Vigilante505 said:

I'd get either of the "gaming" models. Looks to be your best bet.

Looks like the "Aura" might no longer be compatible due to not having SATA express.

 

Updated list with new SSD:

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

 

There is 1 issue with using M.2, according to pcpartpicker:

 

Quote

The motherboard M.2 slot #0 shares bandwidth with a SATA Express port. When the M.2 slot is populated, one SATA Express port is disabled.

[Vigilante505]

1 hour ago, KCmetro said:

Looks like the "Aura" might no longer be compatible due to not having SATA express.

 

Updated list with new SSD:

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

 

There is 1 issue with using M.2, according to pcpartpicker:

 

Wouldnt you rather have a PCI-E M.2 instead of a Sata? Not sure what you need the Sata Express for.

[Qwweb]

Small note that with the 950 PRO you are paying extra for NVMe V-NAND but can only use it (on that mobo) in PCIe config

[KCmetro]

12 minutes ago, Vigilante505 said:

Wouldnt you rather have a PCI-E M.2 instead of a Sata? Not sure what you need the Sata Express for.

The M.2 is way, way faster than other options. It doesn't technically use SATAe but uses it up. ...or something...

7 minutes ago, Qwweb said:

Small note that with the 950 PRO you are paying extra for NVMe V-NAND but can only use it (on that mobo) in PCIe config

That still works though, right? I don't lose any features, can still use all the other parts on the computer?

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

[kw10001]

5 minutes ago, KCmetro said:

The M.2 is way, way faster than other options. It doesn't technically use SATAe but uses it up. ...or something...

That still works though, right? I don't lose any features, can still use all the other parts on the computer?

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

The way you have that build you aren't going to be losing any features. The only thing that will be disabled when you have the Samsung 950 Pro installed is that one SATAe port because they both use the same PCIe lanes. Not a problem though, you aren't going to be using the SATAe port anyways. Nothing to worry about. 

[KCmetro]

2 minutes ago, kw10001 said:

The way you have that build you aren't going to be losing any features. The only thing that will be disabled when you have the Samsung 950 Pro installed is that one SATAe port because they both use the same PCIe lanes. Not a problem though, you aren't going to be using the SATAe port anyways. Nothing to worry about. 

Cool thanks

[meenmeen1103]

The reason the aura is flagged for compatibility is most likely this:

 

1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)*1

*1: When the M.2 Socket 3 is operating in SATA mode, SATA port 1 will be disabled.

 

which won't matter since your chosen m.2 drive isn't using the SATA interface rather the PCIE. From what I can tell, all three mobos should work with your setup.

[Qwweb]

1 minute ago, KCmetro said:

That still works though, right? I don't lose any features, can still use all the other parts on the computer?

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

You lose the full 32Gb/s bandwidth of NVMe to the 4Gb/s of PCIe x4

Also the difference is that you are paying over $100 more than this M.2 drive by Intel (in comparison with the 950 PRO)

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sLwwcc

 

[KCmetro]

4 minutes ago, Qwweb said:

You lose the full 32Gb/s bandwidth of NVMe to the 4Gb/s of PCIe x4

Also the difference is that you are paying over $100 more than this M.2 drive by Intel (in comparison with the 950 PRO)

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sLwwcc

 

Good find! Updated list: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

...so that saves money...

What's this about losing bandwidth?

Would I need a different motherboard to pull off the full NMVe?

[Qwweb]

8 minutes ago, KCmetro said:

Good find! Updated list: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KCmetro/saved/gzTJxr

...so that saves money...

What's this about losing bandwidth?

Would I need a different motherboard to pull off the full NMVe?

NVMe has had its issues in consumer boards because it is a relatively new technology. The only boards I personally trust to run at full NVMe bandwidth are the X99 Prosumer and Professional Mobos because they can make use of more PCIe lanes offered by the Broadwell CPUs.

Also the 6700k only has 16 PCIe lanes, so you would need to operate the M.2 drive in SATA or drop the GPU to a PCIe x8 lane and lose half of your graphics bandwidth.

[KCmetro]

9 minutes ago, Qwweb said:

NVMe has had its issues in consumer boards because it is a relatively new technology. The only boards I personally trust to run at full NVMe bandwidth are the X99 Prosumer and Professional Mobos because they can make use of more PCIe lanes offered by the Broadwell CPUs.

Also the 6700k only has 16 PCIe lanes, so you would need to operate the M.2 drive in SATA or drop the GPU to a PCIe x8 lane and lose half of your graphics bandwidth.

Maybe I could get an M.2 adapter to get the full speed?

[Qwweb]

Just now, KCmetro said:

Maybe I could get an M.2 adapter to get the full speed?

Still utilizes PCIe lanes that the CPU just doesn't have so it would still force the GPU into PCIe x8

[KCmetro]

Of the motherboard options, x99 gets up there in price, is there a lower priced one that would work with the rest of the list?