Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU vs ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard
Buy the Asus Strix Z270E bundle if you want a working CPU and motherboard together. It includes an Intel Core i7-6700, so you skip buying a processor separately. Buy the Prime Z270-A only if you already own a compatible LGA 1151 CPU, since it ships as a bare board. No prices were given for either listing, so compare current store prices on Deal.ai before deciding.
Ask our shopping agent
Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU
Choose the Asus Strix Z270E bundle if you want a complete drop-in combo with an i7-6700 and I/O shield included.
- Comes with an i7-6700, so no separate CPU purchase
- I/O shield included
- Z270 chipset supports overclocking and DDR4 up to 3866MHz O.C.
- ATX form factor with 4 memory slots and 64GB max
- No cooler, power cables or other accessories listed
- Older 6th-gen CPU on a 7th-gen chipset board
- No M.2 screw package or SATA cables mentioned
What separates them
| Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU | ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard | |
|---|---|---|
| What's in the box | Z270E board, I/O shield and Intel Core i7-6700 CPU | Prime Z270-A board and I/O shield only, no CPU |
| CPU included | Core i7-6700, 4 cores, 3.40GHz base | None; you supply the LGA 1151 CPU |
| Chipset and socket | Intel Z270, LGA 1151 | Intel Z270, LGA 1151 |
| Memory | 4 DDR4 slots, 64GB max, 3866MHz O.C. | 4 DDR4 slots, 64GB max, 3866MHz O.C. |
| M.2 storage | M.2 NVMe support | Dual M.2 |
| Networking | Gaming board with onboard Ethernet | Intel I219V Gigabit LAN |
| Audio | ROG Strix onboard audio | Realtek ALC S1220A 8-channel |
Price history
- Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU: lowest $159.92 on Nov 2 at Newegg.com.
- ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard: lowest $69.98 on Nov 2 at SPCP.
Prices at every store
Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
- neweggbusiness.comCheck price at neweggbusiness.com
ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Newegg.comCheck price at Newegg.com
- SPCPCheck price at SPCP
Specs compared
| Spec | Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU | ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 | Socket LGA1151 |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory Slots | 4 | 4 x DIMM |
| Motherboard Socket Type | LGA1151 | — |
| Motherboard Chipset | Z270 | — |
| Motherboard Form Factor | ATX | — |
| Motherboard Model | ROG STRIX Z270E GAMING | — |
| Motherboard Series | ROG Strix | — |
What reviewers say
Asus Strix Z270E Gaming Motherboard w/ Intel Core i7-6700 Quad Core CPU
The ROG Strix Z270E was well received as a mid-range Z270 board with strong power delivery, good fan headers and clean UEFI. The i7-6700 was a common mainstream pick praised for efficient quad-core performance, though it is now dated.
- Stable power delivery and solid overclocking headroom on the board
- Plenty of fan headers and useful ROG software
- i7-6700 runs cool and handles everyday gaming and office work
- M.2 slot and USB connectivity were considered generous for the price
- Board's RGB and software suite felt bloated to some owners
- i7-6700's four cores show their age in modern multitasking
- Older platform limits upgrade paths
ASUS Prime Z270-A ATX Motherboard
Buyers of this open-box listing report the board works as expected and often arrives faster than the estimate, with the I/O shield included. Complaints center on missing small parts and a BIOS set to Chinese.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a first build?
- The Strix Z270E bundle, because the i7-6700 is included. The Prime Z270-A needs a CPU you supply, which adds cost and a compatibility check.
- Do both support the same CPUs?
- Yes. Both use LGA 1151 with the Intel Z270 chipset, so they take 6th and 7th-gen Core processors. The bundle already has an i7-6700 installed.
- Which has better storage options?
- The Prime Z270-A, with dual M.2 slots versus M.2 NVMe support on the Strix Z270E. Both have 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports.
- Is the Prime Z270-A worth it without a CPU?
- Only if you already own an LGA 1151 chip. Factor in the cost of a CPU and cooler before comparing it to the bundle.
- Which board has better audio?
- The Prime Z270-A lists a Realtek ALC S1220A 8-channel codec. The Strix Z270E uses ROG Strix onboard audio without a named codec.
- Can I overclock on either board?
- Both use the Z270 chipset, which supports overclocking. The CPU must also be unlocked, and the i7-6700 in the bundle is not.