MSI Announces the Z270 GODLIKE GAMING Motherboard
by Patrick MacMillan on May 24, 2017 10:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Gaming
- MSI
- LGA1151
- Z270
- Computex 2017
MSI has been teasing this new motherboard for a number of weeks, and today they have finally announced the Z270 GODLIKE GAMING. This subtly named model is the new flagship Intel Z270-based motherboard in MSI's Gaming series, and thus displaces the well-reviewed Z270 Gaming M7.
Though now officially unveiled, MSI did not provide an extensive specifications breakdown for this new model. However, certain elements can be deduced just by looking at the motherboard itself. First and foremost, given its unusually large width, this is clearly an Extended ATX form factor model. This is most evident if you look at the amount of PCB space between the DDR4 memory slots and the edge of the motherboard. In that top-right corner you will also notice a debug LED, power and reset buttons, and the familiar MSI Game Boost Knob.
The Z270 GODLIKE appears to have good storage connectivity, with one U.2 port, six SATA 6Gb/s ports, one USB 3.1 Gen2 header, two USB 3.0 headers, and three USB 2.0 headers. The triple M.2 slots with M.2 Shields are obviously one of the defining features of this new model. There are four steel-reinforced mechanical PCIe x16 slots, as well as a single PCIe x1 slot. The onboard audio duties are handled by the new AUDIO BOOST 4 XTREME implementation, which features fully isolated audio circuitry, an ESS DAC, and two audio CODECs that will allow gamers the option of using headphones and speakers at the same time.
As you would expect on a gaming motherboard released in 2017, MSI's Mystic Light RGB LED lightning feature has clearly found its way to the Z270 GODLIKE GAMING. There are fifteen RGB LEDs spread throughout the motherboard, all of which can be independently controlled, along with a 4-pin header that can power an LED light strip. Thanks to the Mystic Light Sync integration, the included Phanteks Rainbow Strip can be made to match the colors and effects of the onboard RGB LEDs. This same sync concept applies to any future Mystic Light Sync compatible products.
One interesting development is that the Z270 GODLIKE Gaming is going to be first motherboard to utilize the brand new ASMedia ASM3142 USB 3.1 Gen2 host controller. While we don't know much about the new controller, it is the clear successor to the ASM2142, which was the first USB 3.1 Gen2 controller connected with two PCIe 3.0 lanes and thus capable of handling up to 16Gb/s. ASMedia claims that the new ASM3142 controller will not only improve performance, but consume at least 50% less power than previous USB controllers. The performance claims are interesting, since the ASM2142 already had a pretty solid performance advantage over the Intel Alpine Ridge controllers.
Another industry first - and apparently an exclusive feature - is the inclusion of Rivet's new Killer xTend technology. By combining the network capabilities of three Killer E2500 LAN controllers and an onboard Killer Wireless-AC 1535 WiFi module, Killer xTend essentially turns the motherboard into both a network switch and a Wi-Fi extender. How these network expansion capabilities work for a wired setup is that one of the three ethernet ports act as a WAN port - in other words the internet input - while the other two act as conventional LAN ports to which you can connect other PCs or even gaming consoles. The Wi-Fi module can be used to wirelessly connect the primary gaming PC to the internet, or as a 867Mbps wireless link to the other PCs/connected devices when using a wired internet connection, or it can even handle both wireless connections when acting as a Wi-Fi range extender. This removes the need to purchase additional networking hardware, simplifies configuration, and of course prioritizes traffic to the Killer-powered gaming PC over that of other connected devices.
We have no word with regard to pricing or availability, but we definitely expect additional information at Computex 2017.
Source: MSI
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Cellar Door - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
I find it a very welcome feature - since a lot of high end users also have high end headphones. I myself use optical to a receiver but used to run an Auzentech card with a proper headphone amp that included a 1/4 jack.I wish more manufacturers included it on their top tier boards.
Lolimaster - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
Why would you want an obsolete platform when you got AM4 with upgrades till 2020?Leonick - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
"GODLIKE" and it still has fewer USB ports than many basic Sandy Bridge motherboards...Was a little surprised when I upgraded to Kaby Lake and had to keep my USB expansion card. It used to provide an internal header for the USB3 ports at the front of the case, now I need it for extra ports on the back...
close - Friday, May 26, 2017 - link
GaudyLike Gaming....blahsaysblah - Monday, May 29, 2017 - link
The PCH is connected via 4 DMI(PCI-E) lanes to CPU. How many millions of gigabit data do you want to push through those 4 lanes at same time? The board seems to have every port on the PCH filled and is likely double using the multiplexer chip to split the 20 generic PCI lanes to 4x8 ports(16 mechanical slots) and 3x4 m.2 ports. get Just get a hub and velcro to back of case.Shrakito - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
"The performance claims are interesting, since the ASM2142 already had a pretty solid performance advantage over the Intel Alpine Ridge controllers" => got any detailed comparison for this claim ?CharonPDX - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
FFS, how are they going to top this ridiculous name? "GODLIKE GAMING"? "EXTREME" wasn't enough? "UBER" wasn't enough? What's next? "MULTI-PANTHEON CRUSHING GAMING"?Lord of the Bored - Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - link
D1X-CR-U5H3R is next. I guarantee it.