Choosing the right motherboard for your processor is a critical part of building a gaming rig and if you’re a first time PC builder, then you need to know each and everything about the motherboards. The i7 6700k is equipped with 4 cores and 8 threads and it is well capable of providing 4K 60 gaming. However, we are here to first think about the best gaming motherboard for i7 6700k processor.
Without a perfect motherboard on board, your i7 6700k won’t be able to function to its maximum capability. A motherboard is one of the most powerful components of a system and without the right selection, it would be impossible to build a high quality gaming PC. There are numerous gaming motherboards available on the market but our main consideration here is that we need an advanced motherboard for the i7 6700k.
Top-Rated Gaming Motherboard for i7 6700k
Motherboards Preview | Motherboards | Price |
  | Asus Maximus IX Formula | |
  | Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 7 | |
  | MSI Computer 7968-001R Gaming motherboard | |
  | Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula | |
  | MSI Performance Gaming Intel Motherboard | |
  | Asus Z170-A ATX DDR4 Motherboard | |
  | ASROCK Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 | |
  | ASRock Z270 Extreme4 | |
| GIGABYTE Aorus GA-Z270X- Gaming 5 |
Top picks for the Best Gaming Motherboard for i7 6700k
- Asus Maximus IX Formula
- Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 7
- MSI Computer 7968-001R Gaming motherboard
- Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula
- MSI Performance Gaming Intel Motherboard
- Asus Z170-A ATX DDR4 Motherboard
- ASROCK Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4
- ASRock Z270 Extreme4
- GIGABYTE Aorus GA-Z270X- Gaming 5
Reviews for the Best Gaming Motherboard for i7 6700k
After you have considered the factors for choosing a motherboard for the i7 6700k processor, now is the time to make an informed decision. The good thing is that the motherboards are not very expensive and you can completely change your gaming experience by pairing the right one with your processor.
You can have a look at the list of the best motherboards available on the market prepared for you:
1. Asus Maximus IX Formula – Water Cooled for i7 6700k
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z270
- CPU power: 10 phase
- Memory power: 2 phase
- Memory: 4 X DIMM, Max 64 GB DDR4
- BIOS: AMI UEFI
- Storage: 6 x SATA 3
- Sockets: 1 X LGA 1151
- Fan headers: 5x 4- pin
- Form factor: ATX
Asus Maximus IX Formula Review
The Asus Maximus IX Formula is one of the best motherboards and is a perfect match for the i7 6700k processor. The motherboard features hardcore water cooling system that keeps the temperature of the system maintained and allows you to take your gaming experience to the next level.
The Asus Maximus also allows you to customize your experience and handle the complex tasks with ease. One of the unique features that this motherboard is equipped with is the compatibility with the Asus RGB-LED lighting system and the two headers for RGB LED lighting strips. The RGB LEDs are present in the heatsinks and around the PCI slots.
The motherboard offers DDR4 RAM compatibility over 4 DIMM slots and that too in the ultra-fast dual-channel mode. The board also comes with two M.2 slots and 6 SATA 6G SSDs. This Asus motherboard is packed with features and immense power, but it is very expensive too.
Pros
- It allows you to synchronize the colors with the ecosystem of AURA-Sync.
- It is equipped with gorgeous spectrum of a variety of colors.
- It allows streamlined installation.
- The auto-tuning feature allows you to customize your profiles.
- Makes sure that you get maximum performance from your gaming PC.
Cons
- The customer service is not quite responsive.
- RAM slots need to be replaced after some time.
2. Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 7 – Customizable with the i7 6700k
Specs
- CPU socket: LGA 1151
- Chipset: Intel Z270
- Memory type: 2 channel DDR4
- Memory DIMMs: 4X DDR4
- Expansion slots: 3 X PCI 3.0 x 1
- SATA connectors: 6 X SATA 3.0
- Form factor: ATX
Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 7 Review
The Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 7 is an exceptional motherboard and is equipped with all the advanced features that your 7th generation processor will need. The motherboard is equipped with support for ECC memory that allows the detection and correction of various types of memory hindrances.
The cooling system of this motherboard is awesome as it includes 8 fan/water pump connectors, 7 temperature sensors, 2 external temperature sensors, interoperable fans and sensor, and an intuitive UI for fan control. It features Smart Fan 5 that makes sure that the PC performs very well even in intense situations and that too in a cool environment.
The Z270 chipset is equipped with four extra PCI-E 3.0 lanes and Intel’s Opane technology support. There is an advanced mode for extreme customizability along with programmable sections. The Gigabyte Aorus Z270X Gaming 7 motherboard is an excellent match for the i7 6700k as it will help the process reach its maximum functionality.
Pros
- It features Thunderbolt 3 compatibility
- It features Flawed Killer LAN software
- It is equipped with amazing DRAM overclocking
- CPU overclocking ability is superb
- There is multi-zone LED lighting with LED strip controller output
Cons
- The software presets have some glitches
- The USB booting is troublesome
3. MSI Computer 7968-001R Gaming motherboard for i7 6700k
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z170
- Socket: LGA 1151
- Memory support: 4f X DDR4
- Form factor: ATX
- Storage: 8 X SATA ports
- Multi GPU: 4 way AMD 2 way SLI
MSI Computer 7968-001R Gaming motherboard Review
If you’re looking for an advanced and high-tech gaming motherboard for your 7th generation processor, the MSI version of this Intel motherboard is a perfect option. The motherboard features amazing cooling performance and is quite adaptable.
It improves the overall gaming performance and is not only compatible with the 6th and 7th generation processors, but with i3 and i5 as well. It is equipped with DDR4 and features a capacity of 64 GB for memory. It features numerous slots which include 2 SATA express slots, 1 USB 3.0, 7 USB 2.0, and 2 USB 3.1 en2 slots. The motherboard combines OPA 1652 and Audio Boost 3 for a good audio performance.
The motherboard is equipped with a lot of options related to frequency and it offers the ranges of 2133 MHz and 3600 OC. It features OC Engine that gives you maximum freedom for overclocking the GPU for an improved performance.
Pros
- It is very user friendly and it features lots of customization options.
- It features RGB lighting layout.
- The layout is great; M2 slots and fan header are arranged decently.
- The MSI utility software works amazingly.
- The overclocking potential is perfect.
Cons
- RGB lighting is quite limited.
4. Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula
Specs
- Socket type: Intel LGA 1151
- Chipset: Z170
- Form factor: ATX
- Expansion slots: 4 PCI, 6 SATA, 2 SATA Express, 1 M.2, 1 U.2
- RAM slots: 4 X DDR4
- Maximum RAM: 64 GB
Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula Review
The Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula is a high-end gaming motherboard which is designed especially for gamers. The motherboard has a beautiful design and what makes it unique is its uncluttered look which is great if you don’t like messy boards. The board has a beautiful black design with a silver touch and the only colors that are visible on this board are from the three-zone RGB illumination which you can customize along the RGB spectrum.
The motherboard is equipped with CrossChill EK which is a high performing cooling block that keeps the board cool even during intense usage. The CrossChill EK is a hybrid cooling solution that is used to lower the MOSFET temperatures till 23 degrees Celsius. The Asus motherboard is also equipped with a faster storage as the slot supports 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110 lengths of drivers. The Asus ROG motherboard is perfect for you if you want to experience no-lag gaming.
Pros
- It features Intel Gigabyte Ethernet controller with LANGuard and GameFirst technologies.
- It is equipped with 3-way CrossFire and Quad SLI support.
- There is 3-way CrossFire and Quad SLI support.
- It features 3-way RGB illumination, lighting control, and Aura 4-pin RGB strip header.
Cons
- It is very expensive.
5. MSI Performance Gaming Intel Motherboard
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z170A
- Memory: 4 X DIMM, Max 64 GB, up to DDR4-3600 (OC)
- BIOS: AMI UEFI BIOS with 128 Mb flash ROM
- Fan headers: 5 X 4-pin
- Form Factor: ATX
MSI Performance Gaming Intel Motherboard Review
MSI performance gaming Intel motherboard has a unique black and white heatsink design that makes sure that the board remains cool while you’re having intense gaming for extended hours. The cooling technology features Military Class 5 technology that keeps the motherboard at a low temperature.
The motherboard is perfect for hardcore gamers as it is equipped with USB 3.1 that allows speeds up to 10 Gbps which is too fast. The USB allows you to transfer your favorite music, movies, and games smoothly. The MSI motherboard has 2 CPU fan headers, 2 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, and 2 USB 3.1.
The M.2 ort placement is another useful feature and there are 4 DIMM DDR4 slots too. The board combines OPA 1652 operational amplifiers with Audio Boost 3 for an excellent audio performance. The placement of SATA ports is an issue as they are attached upwards and create troubles for cable management.
Pros
- It is a sturdy board and is very well made.
- It is perfect for overclocking.
- There are plenty of SATA ports.
- The BIOS is easy to navigate.
- The BIOS is easy to navigate.
Cons
- It is a bit difficult to connect to a second GPU because of ports placement.
6. Asus Z170-A ATX DDR4 Motherboard
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z170 chipset
- Integrated graphics: dependent on installed CPU
- Memory: 4 X DIMM, Max 64 GB
- BIOS: AMI UEFI BIOS with 128 Mb flash ROM
- Fan headers: 5 X 4-pin
- Form factor: ATX
Asus Z170-A ATX DDR4 Motherboard Review
The Asus Z170A ATX DDR4 motherboard is a very affordable one and is one of the most purchased motherboards for the i7 6700k processor. The motherboard comes with a PRO clock technology that he allows you to do overclocking with ease. Even if you don’t have any overclocking knowledge, you can easily do it because of the PRO clock technology and the easy to understand interface.
The number of USB ports on this board are numerous and the fastest USB 3.1 is available too. Apart from these, the top speed protected networking and RAM caching are quite handy. The motherboard allows you to perform a lot of tuning procedures with a single click.
The Turbo app allows you to perform customized overclocking, network prioritization, cooling and audio profile. If you’re a fan of music, then you should be happy because it is equipped with Supreme FX system that helps in providing excellent audio.The motherboard also features faster and more reliable Ethernet along with Industry leading 5X Protection II.
Pros
- It features USB 3.1 ports.
- BIOS is good for inexperienced people.
- It allows good overclocking.
- It delivers excellent value for money.
Cons
- There are not many features as compared to ROG Maximus.
7. ASROCK Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4
Specs
- Socket: 1151
- Chipset: Z170
- Graphics output: HDMI/DVD-D
- Audio: Realtek ALC1150
- Wireless: N/A
- Form factor: ATX
ASROCK Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 Review
The ASROCK Fatal1ty Z170 is good for casual gaming and is meant for budged oriented PC enthusiasts. The motherboard features 12k Nichicon capacitors that last 20% longer than most of the high-end capacitors.
The BIOS is easy to understand and it features good overclocking capabilities and also features pre-defined presets. The K4 motherboard has a black and red color scheme and the black fabric glass PCB gives a sturdy look to the whole board.
It has a 10-phase power design with the MOSFETs and heatsinks on the VRM that help cool down the board. There is a Purity Sound 3 feature that supports 7.1 audio and deliver a crisp and clear sound.
The board also consists of 3 PCIe 3.0 ports that support CrossFireX. It is equipped with 4 DDR4 RAM slots that offer 3866 MHz for a speedy performance. The KillerLan E2400 Gigabit LAN port is a very handy one when it comes to internet-related tasks.
Pros
- It features top of the line capacitors.
- The placement of SATA and PCIe slots is very efficient.
- It is a solid board with sturdy components.
- It is very durable.
Cons
- There are no RGB lights.
- There is no support for Nvidia SLI.
8. ASRock Z270 Extreme4
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z270
- Power phase: 12 (Digi Power)
- Caps: 12k caps
- Memory: 4 X DDR4
- LAN: Intel 1219V GLAN
- SATA: 8 X SATA3
- Graphics outputs: HDMI DVI-D, D-Sub
ASRock Z270 Extreme4 Review
The Z270 Extreme4 is an affordable mid-range motherboard and has features similar to the Z170 Extreme4 such as the design and hardware. There are some differences such as the audio section has been upgraded and M.2 slot has been added. The board has a nice PCB silk screen that is in direct contact with the heat sink. As compared to its predecessor, the ASRock Extreme4 has an M.2 slot for WiFi, AURA brand RGB, a new water cooling pump header, and improved connectors.
The ASRock Z270 Extreme4 has a unique chipset that offers compatibility and diversity to the PC users. The motherboard is perfect or those who are looking for plenty of features at a lower cost. The chipset and the graphics are perfect for gamers who need a lot of space for their tasks. It can also handle multi-tasking very well and gives an immersive experience with amazing audio boost.
Pros
- It features dual M.2 ports
- It allows good overclocking
- It is equipped with USB 3.1 Type C and Type A
- It provides an immersive experience
- The graphics output options are quite diverse
- The 64 GB memory is equipped with dual channels
Cons
- There is no WiFi included
- AURA LED light is very dim
9. GIGABYTE Aorus GA-Z270X- Gaming 5
Specs
- Chipset: Intel Z270 Express
- Processor socket: LGA1151
- Power connectors: 24-pin main power connector, 8-pin ATX12V connector
- Connector type: mini-jack
- Network: 2 X Gigabit Ethernet
- Max supported size: 64 GB
- Technology: DDR4
GIGABYTE Aorus GA-Z270X- Gaming Review
The Gigabyte Aorus GA-Z270X Gaming 5 has an amazing cooling system and is equipped with a plethora of handy features. The motherboard is a good match for the i7 6700k as it is equipped with 5 fans that keep the system cool even when the load is intense. Apart from this, there are multiple temperature sensors that keep you informed regarding the cooling performance.
The motherboard allows you to adjust different lighting modes for the PC and thus allow better customization and enhanced performance. The GIGABYTE Aorus is overall an advanced motherboard with a perfect cooling system that caters to the growing needs of those who are up for multi-tasking. It comes with a good range of fans and the temperature indicators can detect even the slightest change in your system.
Pros
- It provides a higher visual experience to gamers
- There are 5 hybrid fan headers that optimize the performance and provide better cooling
- There are 6 temperature sensors that detect the issues on time
- RGB fusion is equipped with multi-zones of LED lighting
Cons
- The auto voltage is very high
- BIOS needs to be used with keyboard
Things you MUST KNOW before choosing your Best Gaming Motherboard for i7 6700k
A motherboard plays an important role in the functionality of a system and thus it should be chosen wisely. Before you choose a motherboard for your PC, you should know what factors play a role in improving the performance of a motherboard. The compatibility of the motherboard with other components of a PC play a key role in bringing out the best performance for your rig. Following are the factors that you should consider:
Form Factor
Motherboards are available in different sizes and you must consider this before choosing one. If you have a compact PC case, then you must choose a motherboard that is equipped with lesser accoodation for the peripherals. A large motherboard is needed if you need a multi-monitor display or have multiple external hard drives, this is because the motherboard will have enough slots for hardware.
RAM type and capacity
RAM are of various types such as the DRAM and SRAM. Among DRAM you have the option of DDR3 which is the oldest and DDR4 is better performing than it. For capacity, you must know the maximum capacity your motherboard can support. If you are about to design a high performing PC, you must make sure that the RAM is compatible with the motherboard. For i7 6700k you’ll need a motherboard that could accommodate at least 16GB of RAM.
PCI Express Slots
For a gaming PC, the motherboard should have at least one PCI express slot of high speed for the graphics card. However, if you’re planning for a multiple monitor setup, you’ll need even more slots. For casual gaming, a motherboard with on-board graphics card will be enough.
SATA Slots
For i7 6700k you’ll need a motherboard who has multiple SATA slots. We recommend this because 2 TB of hard disk space might not be sufficient for your needs. A motherboard with multiple SATA slots will allow you to install multiple optical and hard drives. If you are going to use SSD, then you must make sure that the motherboard is equipped with SATA 3.0 slots.
Networking
Currently all the motherboards come equipped with connectors and LAN ports and the high-end ones have even WiFi adapters installed in them. If you want the best WiFi adapters, you can install external adapters in the PCI slots. For i7 6700k processor, you’ll need a motherboard with WiFi adapter. This is because you’ll need best WiFi support while playing games.
Cost
Price may not always be the factor that tells you the quality of a motherboard. You can get a high quality motherboard in around $100. However, if you want more features such as slots and ports, you’ll have to invest more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is i7 6700k compatible with Z270?
Yes, it is compatible with the Z270 motherboards.
Is i7 6700k compatible with Z370?
No, i7 6700k is not compatible with the Z370 motherboards.
What chipset is i7 6700k?
The quad-core chipset was introduced in 2015 by the Intel Company and is a high-end one that gives amazing performance for your microprocessor. The chipset is designed on the skylake microarchitecture and is fabricated on the 14 nm process. The base frequency is 4 GHz.
Will the i7 6700k cause issues for the GTX 1080?
The GTX 1080 is one of the best GPUs on the market, and yes i7 6700k can be a bottleneck in this scenario. However, you can easily play your favorite games on maximum settings as the difference isn’t much. You shouldn’t be worrying too much about this combination as there won’t be any problem.
Does the i7 6700k have hyper threading?
The i7 6700k has a quad-core design and it comes with hyper-threading that runs at a frequency of 4 GHz. It also comes with a boost clock of 4.2 GHz, 8 MB cache, and 8 threads.
What is Kaby Lake?
Kaby Lake is the codename for the Intel 7th generation processors. Kaby Lake is the successor of Skylake and has faster clock speeds and frequencies than the latter. The i7 6700k processor is the top processor of the Sky Lake line up while the i7 7700k is the best one of the Kaby Lake series.
Is it necessary to have built-in WiFi?
If you have wired connection at your place, then there’s no need to invest in a motherboard that has built-in WiFi. A motherboard that has a built-in WiFi is more expensive than the ones that don’t have.
Does a smaller motherboard means fewer slots?
A small motherboard isn’t necessarily a disadvantage but yes if you have a smaller form factor, you’ll have to deal with lesser features too.
Conclusion
Building a gaming PC with Intel Core i7 6700k processor requires a lot of considerations, and choosing the right motherboard is one of them. If you have the best motherboard for your Intel i7 processor, you’ll be making full use of this powerful processor. The Asus Maximus IX Formula is one of the best and most powerful motherboards available for this processor.
The motherboard is designed with an excellent hardcore water cooling system and features amazing lighting scheme. All the motherboards reviewed in this post will go well with the 7th generation processor and it all depends on your requirements to choose one of them.
Here are some other great picks for you:
