The Best Z370 1151 Coffee Lake Motherboards

Intel’s release of the Coffee Lake processor gave gamers access to higher clock speeds and core count but with a catch – you need to have a 300 Series chipset to be able to use it. Therefore, we’ve assembled a list of the best motherboards out there that handle Coffee Lake and suit a range of budgets.

MSI Z370-A PRO ATX Motherboard

+ Affordable

+ Easy to install

– Lacks power

Kicking off our list of motherboards is this option from MSI. It has the LGA 1151 socket and supports well-known i3, i5, and i7 variants of processor, meaning a versatile board that’s suitable for whichever processor you opt for. Furthermore, it has a max DDR4 RAM size of 64GB, so there’s plenty of scope to load up on RAM if you wish.

In addition, it comes with four USB 3.1 ports, standard six audio jacks, a display port jack and an ethernet port – a variety that has you covered whatever you want to plug in. It’s a great, affordable option which has the big benefit of being easy to set up thanks to MSI’s user-friendly BIOS menu. The only downside is that it lacks firepower compared to the others on this list.

Gigabyte Z370 HD3P ATX Motherboard

+ Comprehensive cooling control

+ USB-C

– Fiddly to set up

This option from Gigabyte is another great entry-level motherboard that offers solid compatibility with other components. It has space for 64GB of RAM as standard and offers more connectivity options than the previous MSI option as it comes with a USB-C port and two extra USB ports. Therefore, if you have a large set-up with plenty of peripherals, this motherboard will have you covered – and it can support up to three monitors with ease.

What sets this board apart is that it has the industry-leading static-electricity and surge protection, so if looking after your rig is important for you then this one to consider. Lastly, the cooling options on this board are second to none, allowing you to monitor the temperature of individual parts of the board. The only caveat we have with this board is that it can be a bit fiddly to set up, but the positives outweigh this negative.

Asus PRIME Z370-A ATX Motherboard

+ Easy overclocking

+ Asus Aura Sync

– Awkward port tabs

This mid-range entry from Asus is an ideal board to have in your rig if you have a little more in your budget. It features all the standard specs as mentioned before but comes with a few additions. The first is that this board puts you in control of easy overclocking thanks to its five-way optimisation, allowing you to overclock seamlessly with one press of a button. In addition, the board features Aura Sync which allows you to control all of your RGB for your rig (all other Aura-Sync-ready components) in one place.

You can also experience incredibly fast data-transfer speeds thanks to a USB-C port, stunning sound thanks to its Realtek ALCS1220A audio codec and DTS Headphone:X. Also, if you want further connectivity options then this board supports a ThunderboltEX 3 card, so you’ll be able to experience seamless data transfers. The only compromise is some of the ports on the I/O come with tabs covering them, meaning installation can be awkward.

Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 5 Motherboard

+ Extensive RGB

+ Good overclocking scope

– Pricier option

Although this board is on the pricier side it more than justifies the cost with its extra features. Firstly, it comes with an extensive RGB which can be customised to fit your personality or rig. It’s well placed on the board and highlights the key parts of your PC, contributing to an overall sleek design. Furthermore, the board comes with Gigabyte’s Smart Fan 5 giving you complete control over temperatures across separate parts of your motherboard, and with plenty of fan headers, this board is built for cooling. Furthermore, the board supports Nvidia SLI and AMD crossfire, so if you’re after a monster rig, this board has you covered for GPU performance and cooling. On the overclocking front, the board has an intuitive software – App Center – which allows easy tuning of your PC. This board has excellent overclocking potential and is a serious option for those who want to push the most out of their components.

Asus MAXIMUS X HERO ATX Motherboard

+ Great sound

+ Ultimate connectivity options

– Expensive

If you’re after a Z370 motherboard that has all the bells and whistles then the Asus Maximus X Hero is a fantastic option. It has all the features you’d expect of a board at this price, but comes with a few noticeable extras. Firstly, it comes with two M.2 ports and a dedicated M.2 heat sink to ensure maximum cooling. On top of this you have every connectivity port you could want and it’s all housed in a sleek I/O (the labelling of ports is a nice touch, too).

If you’re after 4K gaming, this board will have you covered as it supports 4K via HDMI and Displayport at 24Hz and 60Hz respectively. To get those crystal-clear graphics you’ll need some heavy GPU performance – this board supports dual Nvidia SLI and triple AMD Crossfire technology, allowing you to pump out seriously impressive displays. This board has a multitude of features, with plenty that make it stand out from the crowd. You be ready to splash the cash as it isn’t the cheapest.

If you’re looking to sport Intel’s Coffee Lake chipset, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to a 300 Series motherboard. The list above comprises of the best options at varying prices, ensuring you’ll enjoy maximum performance to keep you on top of the competition.