Motherboards are an important part of any computer system, as it is the central component that holds all of the necessary components of a computer. Motherboards also allow the CPU to communicate with the RAM and the other parts of the motherboard.
Motherboards come in different sizes, shapes, and forms. They have different types of connectors that allow them to connect to different devices, such as CPUs, GPUs, RAM, hard drives, and more.
There are different motherboards available, and finding the best motherboard for your needs can be a challenging task.
Some people might want to buy a powerful motherboard for overclocking, while others might be looking for a budget motherboard that is well-built and reliable.
In this guide, I have covered the detailed reviews of the top 10 motherboards for the i7 6700k processor. Let’s check out each motherboard one by one and help you find the best motherboard for your needs.
At a Glance:
Best Motherboard for i7 6700k
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1. MSI Computer 7968-001R Enthusiastic Gaming
Best PickThe MSI Enthusiastic Gaming Intel Z170A LGA 1151 DDR4 USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard is a great board if you want something that can handle the latest generation of CPUs.
I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to run their current processor on a motherboard that supports the next generation of processors?
MSI offers a wide variety of motherboards with many different features, and this is one of the most affordable ones.
They use the Intel Z170 chipset, which offers better compatibility with the latest generation of CPUs than the older Intel Z77.
This is especially useful for people planning to upgrade their CPU from an older generation to a newer one.
The onboard ports are great. There are two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.1 Gen1 (aka USB 3.0), four USB 2.0, and two PCI-E 3.0 x16 slots.
There are also two PCI-E x1 slots, which are useful for older graphics cards. The main downside is that there aren’t any headers for WiFi or Bluetooth.
Regarding audio, MSI offers the Realtek ALC1150 codec and Nahimic Audio Enhancer software, which makes the audio experience much better.
The audio boost feature helps to increase the volume by up to 30% without distorting the sound. The Nahimic Audio Enhancer makes the audio even better. The board also offers a DDR4 Boost function, which boosts the memory speed to 2400MHz.
The board is compatible with the Intel Z170 chipset and supports the latest generation of CPUs.MSI offers many great features on this motherboard.
Pros
- Supports 8th Gen Intel Core i7/i5/i3
- Supports DDR4-2400 memory
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- Dual M.2 slots with PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 3Gb/s interface
- USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports
Cons
- No RGB lighting support
- No overclocking support
2. MSI Performance Gaming Intel Z170A ATX Motherboard
MSI is a brand that I know quite well, and I like their motherboards for the simple reason that they’re solid and reliable.
I’ve been using the MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard for over a year, and it has never given me any trouble.
The Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon is compatible with all modern processors and motherboards, including the latest Intel 6th generation Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium/Celeron processors.
It features the same chipset found in the Ryzen 7 1800X and 1700X, so it’ll run all those processors.
MSI has also made sure to include many connectivity options, including four USB 3.1 ports, six USB 3.0 ports, and eight USB 2.0 ports.
The motherboard also includes a Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 2 port and a Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 2 port, which are great for connecting things to the motherboard.
The audio options on the motherboard are pretty standard. It includes Mystic Light and Nahimic Audio Enhancer. If you’re into gaming, the Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon should be a great choice.
Pros
- Supports DDR4 memory up to 3866MHz
- It comes with a USB 3.1 port
- Supports Intel Optane Memory
- It has a built-in HDMI port
- It has an RGB LED header
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a CPU cooler or fan
3. Asus optimized Z170 ATX Intel Pro Gaming Motherboards
Staff PickAsus-optimized Z170 is a great value and offers good performance for its price. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly board with good performance, this is a good option.
This motherboard is very versatile and has a lot of useful features. The onboard USB 3.1 ports are useful for fast data transfers, and the USB Type-A port is backward compatible with older USB devices. It also has 4 USB 2.0 ports, making it ideal for USB drives and peripherals.
It also has two Thunderbolt 3 ports which are very useful for external graphics and video cards. It also has a standard HDMI port and dual DisplayPort connectors. You can also connect your PS4 or Xbox One via a single DisplayPort connector and use it for streaming.
A 4+2 phase power delivery system powers it so that you can power multiple high-powered components. The power delivery system also has a 24-bit PWM feature to adjust the power delivery for your components and prevent voltage spikes.
This motherboard also has some smart DIY features. It has an RGB LED strip header, so you can easily control the lighting. It also has a fan header, allowing you to control the fans.
All in all, this is a great motherboard for the price. It has good performance and is well-designed.
Pros
- High-quality components and build quality.
- Good overclocking potential.
- Excellent stability and reliability.
- Plenty of features and accessories are available.
- Support for the latest graphics cards and technologies.
Cons
- Expensive compared to other Z170 motherboards on the market.
- Some features may be too advanced for some users.
4. ASUS ROG Maximus IX Extreme LGA1151 EATX Motherboard with onboard AC Wifi
The ASUS Rog Maximus IX Extreme is a motherboard that’s not only powerful but also beautiful.I am impressed with its design and how well the motherboard can be adapted to different builds.
The motherboard has two M. 2 slots, and a heatsink supports both. One of them is dedicated for Intel Optane memory, so it’s perfect for those who want to add a fast SSD.
The other slot is designed to support a Wi-Fi card. If you’re using an 802.11ac wireless router, this will be a perfect choice.
The back side of the motherboard features a large array of connectors, including two USB 3. 1 ports, two USB 3. 0 ports, four USB 2. 0 ports, four PS/2 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one optical S/PDIF ports, and an HDMI port.
The motherboard’s front side has five audio jacks, two of which are for SPDIF out, and the other three are for line-in.
ASUS ROG Maximus IX Extreme LGA1151 DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 Z270 EATX Motherboard with onboard AC Wifi
The motherboard has the latest Intel Z270 chipset, which supports the latest 7th-generation Intel Core processors.
ASUS has opted for the 8th generation Intel processors, which are much better than the 7th generation ones.
These 8th gen processors also support overclocking, and the motherboard is equipped with a VRM heatsink to improve the cooling of the voltage regulator module.
The motherboard also has an integrated I/O shield that reduces installation time and increases contact with ports for improved connectivity.
The motherboard also comes with Aura Sync RGB lighting, which can be controlled through Aura Studio software.
Aura Studio is a free tool for Windows 10 that lets you customize the lighting on the motherboard and choose from a vast palette of colors.
The colors you choose will sync with other Aura Sync-enabled devices, and the motherboard will light up accordingly.
The RGB lighting on the motherboard is customizable, so you can create any color you like. If you’re interested in RGB lighting, this motherboard is worth checking out.
Pros
- Extremely high-end specifications for a motherboard
- Dual M.2 slots for storage
- Integrated AC WiFi and Bluetooth
- HDMI and DP ports
- Supports overclocking
Cons
- Pricey
- No built-in graphics card
Conclusion
Finding the right motherboard for your i7 6700k can be a difficult task. Thankfully, our team of experts has put together this guide to help you choose the best one for your rig.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of motherboards and which one might be best suited for your computer.
We also provide a detailed description of each board, as well as how to find its specifications online. Hopefully, by reading this article, you will have a better understanding of what is available and be able to make an informed decision about which one to purchase. Thanks for reading!