The Best Motherboard for Intel i7-6700K: Key Considerations and Recommendations

When choosing a motherboard for your Intel i7-6700K, it's essential to consider factors such as compatibility, performance, and upgradeability. The two primary chipsets to consider are the Z170 and Z270, which support multiplier overclocking. This article will guide you through the best options for your specific needs, detailing key features and user feedback.

Overview of Chipsets: Z170 and Z270

The Z170 and Z270 chipsets are the only platforms that support multiplier overclocking for the i7-6700K. This is a crucial feature for enthusiasts who want to push the limits of their hardware. These chipsets are highly reliable and offer robust performance, which is why they remain popular among users.

Top-Recommended Motherboards: MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon and ASRock Z270 Extreme4

Among the various motherboards available, the MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon and the ASRock Z270 Extreme4 stand out for their reliability and performance.

MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon

As a personally tested and highly recommended board, the MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon is an excellent choice. This motherboard not only provides the necessary power for the i7-6700K but also offers a range of advanced features, such as:

High-speed SATA ports PCIe 3.0 slots for maximum bandwidth Onboard audio Athlon CPU RAID 0/1 support

This motherboard is a solid choice for those who value both performance and future-proofing. It is highly compatible with the i7-6700K and offers a balance of features that ensures both immediate and long-term usability.

ASRock Z270 Extreme4

The ASRock Z270 Extreme4 is another highly recommended motherboard, especially if you are looking for a future-proof solution. This board is:

Compatible with both Skylake and Kaby Lake processors Fitted with dual M.2 slots with Optane support Touted with SATA RAID and GPU compatibility with NVidia SLI and AMD CrossFire

This motherboard is particularly appealing because it supports the i7-7700K in the future, albeit probably without much need for additional hardware upgrades. The additional features such as Optane and GPU compatibility make it a versatile choice for both current and future needs.

Future-Proofing Your Build

When it comes to building a system that will last, it's important to choose components that can handle current demands while also being compatible with upcoming processors. Intel is known for changing its sockets, which means you will need to buy new motherboards for new processors. In contrast, AMD offers more compatibility and flexibility across their platforms.

Given this, if you fundamentally want a motherboard that can stay relevant for as long as possible, AMD might be the better choice. However, for the i7-6700K specifically, the MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon and ASRock Z270 Extreme4 are excellent options that cater to the needs of both enthusiasts and future-proofing.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for a motherboard that emphasizes current performance or future-proofing, the MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon and ASRock Z270 Extreme4 are solid choices. Both boards have received praise from users and tech publications, making them reliable and robust options for building the perfect system for your i7-6700K.

By considering factors such as chipset capabilities, future upgrades, and user reviews, you can make an informed decision that will serve you well for years to come.