Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5 Rev. 1.1
The Compact Powerhouse for Enthusiast Skylake Micro-ATX Builds
Overview
How It Works
Power Regulation and Delivery
The digital power design receives power from the ATX 12V connectors and uses high-grade IR digital power controllers and PowIRstage ICs to deliver clean, precise voltage directly to the CPU core and integrated graphics.
Data Routing and Chipset Communication
The LGA 1151 socket communicates with the Z170 Platform Controller Hub via the high-bandwidth Direct Media Interface (DMI 3.0), enabling lightning-fast peripheral, storage, and USB transfers.
Memory and PCIe Interfacing
The dual-channel DDR4 memory architecture routes data directly from DIMM slots to the CPU memory controller, while PCIe Gen3 lanes provide direct high-speed pathways for dedicated graphics cards and NVMe storage devices.
Key Features
Intel Z170 Chipset & LGA 1151 Support
Full support for 6th Generation Intel Core processors with complete overclocking freedom for unlocked K-series CPUs.
Dual-Channel DDR4 Support
Four DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of DDR4 memory with overclocking capabilities surpassing standard frequency limits.
Onboard M.2 Connector
Features a PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slot delivering data transfer speeds up to 32 Gb/s for ultra-fast solid-state drives.
Intel USB 3.1 Controller
Provides high-speed USB Type-C and Type-A ports driven by the industry-standard Intel controller for maximum peripheral compatibility.
GIGABYTE Amp-Up Audio
High-end Realtek ALC1150 codec paired with upgradable op-amps, hardware gain select, and dedicated audio hardware noise guards.
Killer E2200 Gaming Network
Advanced networking platform designed to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce latency during intense online sessions.
2-Way Graphics Support
Reinforced PCIe armor slots supporting both NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire multi-GPU configurations in a compact footprint.
Dual-Armor PCIe Slots
Stainless steel shielding over PCIe slots prevents board bending and electromagnetic interference when mounting heavy graphics cards.
SATA Express Interface
Backward-compatible interface delivering up to 16 Gb/s data bandwidth for next-generation storage solutions.
Power Delivery and VRM Design
Engineering robust voltage regulation for stable Skylake overclocking
IR Digital Power Controllers
Utilizes industry-standard digital PWM controllers from International Rectifier for pinpoint voltage delivery.
PowIRstage ICs
Integrates high-current power stages that manage thermal output efficiently during aggressive overclocking.
Durable Solid Capacitors
Equipped with ultra-low ESR solid-state capacitors rated for extended lifespans under extreme operational conditions.
Server-Level Chokes
Employs high-grade ferrite core chokes that reduce energy loss and electromagnetic interference.
Dedicated CPU Power Pining
Features solid-plated ATX 12V power connectors to ensure optimal electrical contact and minimal resistance.
Memory Architecture and DDR4 Performance
Maximizing bandwidth and stability across four high-speed DIMM slots
64GB Maximum Capacity
Supports up to 64GB of system memory across four DIMM slots, accommodating memory-heavy workflows.
High Frequency Support
Capable of running memory kits well beyond standard JEDEC speeds through Intel XMP profile optimization.
Isolated Memory Trace Routing
Optimized memory paths shield signals from electrical noise to ensure stability at high clock speeds.
Dual-Channel Bandwidth
Maximizes data throughput by interleaving memory access across independent channels.
ECC Support (Non-ECC Mode)
Operates with unbuffered non-ECC memory modules commonly found in high-performance desktop builds.
Expansion Slots and Multi-GPU Capabilities
Harnessing PCIe Gen3 lanes for graphics and expansion cards
PCIe 3.0 x16 Primary Slot
Delivers full-bandwidth PCIe Gen3 x16 connectivity directly linked to the processor for primary GPUs.
Multi-GPU Support
Supports 2-Way NVIDIA SLI and 2-Way AMD CrossFire configurations for enhanced graphical rendering power.
Metal Shielded PCIe Armor
Stainless steel reinforcement prevents physical damage from heavy graphics cards and blocks signal interference.
Additional PCIe x1 Slots
Includes standard PCIe x1 slots for dedicated sound cards, capture cards, or expansion controllers.
Flexible Lane Allocation
Intelligently distributes PCIe lanes based on installed hardware configurations to maximize throughput.
Storage Subsystem and M.2 Connectivity
Unlocking high-speed NVMe data transfers and legacy drive support
PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 Slot
Provides up to 32 Gb/s data transfer speeds for high-performance NVMe solid-state drives.
SATA Express Ports
Delivers up to 16 Gb/s bandwidth for compatible hybrid storage devices and enclosures.
Traditional SATA 6Gb/s Ports
Features multiple SATA 3 ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations for data redundancy and speed.
Intel Smart Response Technology
Allows SSD caching to accelerate traditional mechanical hard drive performance automatically.
NVMe Boot Support
Fully supports booting operating systems directly from ultra-fast M.2 NVMe storage media.
Audio Subsystem: GIGABYTE Amp-Up Audio
Delivering audiophile-grade sound reproduction on the desktop
Realtek ALC1150 Codec
High-definition 1150 SNR audio processor capable of driving multi-channel surround sound.
Upgradable Operational Amplifier
Features a socketed op-amp allowing users to swap hardware amplifiers to suit their listening preferences.
Dedicated Hardware Noise Guard
LED-illuminated PCB separation trace isolates analog audio components from digital electrical noise.
NVIDIA Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3
Includes advanced audio suite software for realistic cinematic effects and precise acoustic positioning.
Gold-Plated Audio Jacks
Ensures corrosion-resistant, high-fidelity signal transmission to headphones and speakers.
Networking and Connectivity
Prioritizing low-latency gaming and high-speed peripheral integration
Killer E2200 Gaming LAN
Intelligent gigabit ethernet controller that automatically prioritizes gaming and streaming packets.
Intel USB 3.1 Controller
Provides native high-speed USB ports including both Type-A and reversible Type-C connectors.
Multiple USB 3.0 Ports
Plentiful internal headers and rear panel ports for connecting high-speed peripherals and accessories.
Network Manager Software
Allows users to monitor and shape network traffic bandwidth usage on a per-application basis.
ESD Protection on LAN and USB
Integrated electrostatic discharge filters safeguard ports against electrical surges.
BIOS, Cooling, and System Management
Providing granular control over system parameters and thermal management
GIGABYTE UEFI BIOS
User-friendly graphical interface offering advanced overclocking controls and hardware monitoring dashboards.
Hybrid Fan Headers
Detects whether attached cooling devices use PWM or voltage control modes automatically.
Smart Fan 5 Integration
Provides precise temperature readings from multiple onboard sensors to adjust fan curves dynamically.
DualBIOS Technology
Includes a backup BIOS chip to protect the system against failed flashes or firmware corruption.
App Center Utilities
Centralized software suite for managing system settings, lighting, and fan profiles within Windows.
✓ Pros
- ✓Robust digital power delivery system optimized for Skylake overclocking
- ✓Compact Micro-ATX form factor without sacrificing essential enthusiast features
- ✓High-speed PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slot for ultra-fast NVMe storage
- ✓Advanced Amp-Up Audio with upgradable operational amplifiers
- ✓Dedicated Killer E2200 networking for reduced online gaming latency
- ✓Native USB 3.1 Type-C and Type-A connectivity
- ✓Reinforced metal-shielded PCIe slots supporting 2-way SLI and CrossFire
- ✓Reliable DualBIOS protection against firmware corruption
✗ Cons
- ✗Limited to 6th Generation Intel Skylake processors out of the box
- ✗Micro-ATX size restricts multi-GPU clearance and expansion card options compared to ATX
- ✗DDR4 memory speeds limited relative to later platform generations
- ✗No built-in Wi-Fi module included on this specific revision
Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Z170 Micro-ATX Motherboard Face-Off
| Feature | gaZ170mxGaming5Rev11 | maximusViiiGene | z170mMortar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX |
| Audio Solution | Amp-Up Audio (ALC1150 + Upgradable OP-AMP) | SupremeFX 2015 | Realtek ALC892 |
| Networking | Killer E2200 Gaming LAN | Intel I219-V | Realtek Gigabit LAN |
| M.2 Storage | 1 x PCIe Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s) | 1 x PCIe Gen3 x4 | 1 x M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4) |
| USB 3.1 | Intel Controller (Type-A & Type-C) | Intel + ASMedia USB 3.1 | Standard USB 3.0 |
| Multi-GPU | 2-Way SLI & CrossFire | 2-Way SLI & CrossFire | CrossFire Only |
Setup Tips
Update to the Latest BIOS
Flash the motherboard to the newest available firmware version to ensure optimal CPU compatibility and memory stability.
Enable XMP in BIOS
Activate the Extreme Memory Profile in the UEFI to ensure your DDR4 RAM runs at its rated speed rather than default JEDEC frequencies.
Utilize the Primary PCIe Slot
Always install your primary graphics card in the top reinforced PCIe x16 slot for full bandwidth connectivity.
Connect to the Killer LAN Port
Plug your ethernet cable into the designated Killer E2200 port and install the accompanying network suite for optimized traffic management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaway
The Gigabyte GA-Z170MX-Gaming 5 Rev. 1.1 is a feature-rich Micro-ATX motherboard built around the Intel Z170 chipset for 6th Gen Skylake processors. It combines robust digital power delivery, high-speed DDR4 support, and a PCIe Gen3 M.2 slot with enthusiast-grade Amp-Up audio and Killer networking. Ideal for compact gaming rigs and high-performance workstations, it delivers full overclocking capabilities in a space-saving footprint.