OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura Review | 107 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price in UK: ~£150
  • Avg. price in US: ~$160
  • CPU socket: LGA 1151
  • Chipset: Intel Z170
  • Form factor: ATX

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

5.5

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.4

Technical Score

10.0%

7.0

User score

Good
5.4

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.8

Memory

16.0%

6.2

Platform & Features

16.0%

4.5

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

4.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.7

Expansion

8.0%

5.7

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.6

Audio

Good
7.0

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.4

User reviews

30.0%

3.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(44)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Very good
  • 4.0
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.9

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    3.3

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    4.6

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    3.6

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
  • asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura
asus-z170-pro-gaming-aura

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura is an ATX motherboard built on the Intel Z170 chipset and LGA1151 socket, designed to support 6th-generation Intel Core processors. Key specifications include four DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB at overclocked speeds of 3466MHz, reinforced SafeSlot PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for multi-GPU setups (SLI/CrossFireX), and high-speed storage via a 32Gb/s M.2 slot and six SATA 6Gb/s ports. Notable pros include its unique 3D-printing-friendly mounting points for custom nameplates or accessories, customizable Aura RGB lighting, and premium SupremeFX audio with a 115dB SNR. It also features Intel Gigabit Ethernet with LANGuard protection and high-speed connectivity through USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C ports. On the downside, some users note the removal of the SATA Express port found on the non-Aura version and the use of push-pins rather than screws for the VRM heatsinks, which may limit thermal efficiency during extreme overclocking compared to higher-end ROG models.

Technical Specifications of ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the motherboard's technical performance, covering key areas such as power delivery, CPU and memory support, expansion, storage, connectivity, cooling, BIOS features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

19.0%

5.8

Memory

16.0%

6.2

Platform & Features

16.0%

4.5

Storage

15.0%

5.3

Network

13.0%

4.9

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.7

Expansion

8.0%

5.7

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.6

Audio

5.4
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a technical score of 5.35 points, which is lower than that of 72% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.4

User reviews

30.0%

3.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(44)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

7.0
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a user score of 6.98 points, which is lower than that of 78.8% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
3.7
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a popularity of 3.7 points, which is lower than 53.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.5

Overall score

40.0%

9.7

Price

6.8
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.8 points, which is lower than 69.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The brand that makes the motherboard.
When it matters: When you have a brand preference for support, BIOS, or build quality.

Importance: MEDIUM

Asus
CPU socket
What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

Importance: HIGH

LGA 1151
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses the LGA 1151 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 70.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 13.8% of motherboards.
CPU platform

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Chipset
What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

Importance: HIGH

Intel Z170
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses the Intel Z170 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 75.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.5% of motherboards.
Form factor
What it is: The physical size standard of the motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX.
When it matters: When you need the board to fit a specific case size.

Importance: HIGH

ATX
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
Show more
DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses DDR4 memory, which is newer than that of 13.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 51% of motherboards.
Memory slots
What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4

4
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.5% of motherboards and equal to 72.5% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is less than 62.6% of motherboards and equal to 24.3% of motherboards.
Memory channels
What it is: The memory channel configuration supported by the motherboard platform.
When it matters: When memory bandwidth matters for your build.

Importance: MEDIUM

2
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.5% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
What it is: The highest officially supported memory speed for the motherboard.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=6400 MT/s

3,466 MT/s
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports memory speeds up to 3466 MT/s, which is lower than that of 60.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.6% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=3

1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 1 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 69.2% of motherboards and equal to 19.1% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

Importance: HIGH

1x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura offers 1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA for M.2 slot interfaces, which is slower than that of 73.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.4% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

6
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.6% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
What it is: The RAID modes officially supported by the motherboard storage platform.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple drives in a RAID setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

0/1/5/10
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

Importance: LOW

no
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support NVMe RAID. 59.8% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is equal to 68.5% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 4.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for modern expansion cards.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is equal to 55.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

Importance: MEDIUM

3
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 3 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 82.8% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

Importance: HIGH

x16/x0, x8/x8
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses x16/x0, x8/x8 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is less flexible than that of 81.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 3.7% of motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support PCIe bifurcation. 61% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=8

8
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.3% of motherboards and equal to 30.7% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=14

16
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 16 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 61.8% of motherboards and equal to 10.2% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=1

1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.4% of motherboards and equal to 48.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB-C ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C connectivity across the whole build.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=2

1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 1 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 21.3% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

0
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is equal to 81.6% of motherboards.
10Gbps excluded.
Show more
LAN speed
What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.5GbE

1 Gbps
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.1% of motherboards.
LAN controller
What it is: The model of onboard Ethernet controller used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you compare networking hardware quality and features.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel I219-V
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses the Intel I219-V LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 41% of motherboards and equal to that of 14.2% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

Importance: LOW

1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 1 RJ45 ports, which is equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 49.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The supported Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
When it matters: When you care about wireless speed and router compatibility.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

N/A
Show more
Audio codec
What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Realtek ALC1150
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura uses the Realtek ALC1150 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 52.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 9.3% of motherboards.
Audio channels
What it is: The audio channel configuration supported by the onboard sound solution.
When it matters: When you want surround sound from the motherboard audio outputs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: 7.1

7.1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
full 7.1 needs front panel audio.
Audio SNR
What it is: The signal-to-noise ratio of the onboard audio solution.
When it matters: When you care about cleaner onboard audio output.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=120 dB

115 dB
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has an audio SNR of 115 dB, which is higher than that of 46.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 8.2% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
What it is: Shows whether the onboard audio path includes dedicated headphone amplification for harder-to-drive headsets.
When it matters: When you use harder-to-drive headphones from the onboard audio.

Importance: LOW

yes
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
supports up to 300Ω.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
What it is: The number of rear 3.5mm audio jacks on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more analog audio connection options.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5

5
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.8% of motherboards and equal to 36.8% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=12

10
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 10 VRM phases, which is fewer than 54.4% of motherboards and equal to 3.3% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=2

1
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 1 CPU power connectors, which is equal to 54.5% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6

5
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has 5 fan headers, which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 14.5% of motherboards.
Pump header
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes a dedicated header designed for a liquid-cooling pump.
When it matters: When you build with an AIO or custom liquid cooling loop.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a pump header. 23.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
What it is: The maximum current the dedicated pump header can supply.
When it matters: When you want to make sure the pump header can power your cooling setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2 A

1 A
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura supports up to 1 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 58.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 15.9% of motherboards.
Show more

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura vs the average motherboard

  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster rear USB-C connectivity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.1 vs 0
  • 2 more PCIe x1 slots
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    What it is: The number of PCIe x1 slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want space for smaller add-in cards.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.3 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 2.0 headers
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    What it is: The number of internal USB 2.0 headers available for case connections.
    When it matters: When your case or accessories need internal USB connections.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.3 vs 2
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more DVI outputs than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: The number of DVI video outputs on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you plan to use older compatible monitors.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more DVI outputs than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • Includes VGA connector
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 22% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
    What it is: Shows whether the rear I/O includes an analog VGA display output.
    When it matters: When you need compatibility with older displays or projectors.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 22% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.6 vs 4
  • 1 more total USB connections
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
    When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=14

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.16 vs 15
  • 2 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.3 vs 1
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • 2 more PCIe x1 slots
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 2 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
  • 1 more USB 2.0 headers
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more DVI outputs than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 DVI outputs.
  • Includes VGA connector
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 22% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
  • 1 more total USB connections
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.

Total
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z170 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No BIOS flashback support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 77.1% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Narrower Windows support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has narrower Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
  • 5 years older release date
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura is older than the average motherboard (2,016 vs 2,021). The average motherboard was released in 2,021.
    January 2016
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
  • 24.7% lower maximum RAM speed
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,466 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
  • 29.7% lower overclocked RAM speed
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,466 MT/s vs 4,933 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 4,933 MT/s.
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
  • No NVMe RAID support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 1 fewer M.2 sockets
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • Less flexible PCIe lane configuration
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has less flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0, x8/x8 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
  • Older HDMI version
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has older HDMI version than the average motherboard (1.4 vs 2.1). The average motherboard supports HDMI 2.1.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
  • 1 A lower pump header current limit
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (1 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z170 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
    When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z170 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z170 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.5GbE

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

    Importance: HIGH

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No NVMe RAID support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
    What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
    When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
    When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=128 GB

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.64 GB vs 128 GB
  • 1 fewer M.2 sockets
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=3

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.1 vs 2
  • No BIOS flashback support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can update BIOS without needing a fully installed or supported CPU to boot first.
    When it matters: When you may need to update BIOS before the system can boot.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.8% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
    When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
44 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura?

  • Attractive Aura RGB lighting with 12 different modes and customization options
  • Excellent fan control via UEFI and AI Suite III software, offering high granularity
  • Premium SupremeFX audio with 115dB SNR, comparable to higher-end ROG models
  • Solid future-proofing with support for NVMe M.2 drives, USB 3.1 Type-A/C, and DDR4
  • Reinforced SafeSlot PCIe lanes provide extra strength for heavy graphics cards
  • Stable overclocking performance supported by a 10-phase power delivery system
  • Support for 3D-printed customization, allowing for unique build personalization

What customers dislike about ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura?

  • Lacks a front-panel USB 3.1 connector, which may be a drawback for modern cases
  • Removal of SATA Express interface, which was present in its non-Aura predecessor
  • Lower-tier cooling compared to flagship boards, featuring basic push-pin heatsinks
  • Potential interference between custom 3D-printed nameplates and the M.2 slot depending on the design
  • Lacks legacy PCI slots found on some other mainstream Z170 models like the Z170-A

Video reviews

Compare ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming Aura with

VS
VS

Compare