OVERALL
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
ALTERNATIVES

ASUS Z87 WS Review | 107 Data compared

double-arrow
  • Avg. price: ~£170
  • CPU socket: LGA 1150
  • Chipset: Intel Z87
  • Form factor: ATX

ASUS Z87 WS review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among motherboards and if it is worth buying.

5.1

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%

4.9

Technical Score

10.0%

7.0

User score

Good
4.9

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%

3.9

Memory

16.0%

6.9

Platform & Features

16.0%

3.4

Storage

15.0%

5.5

Network

13.0%

3.7

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.9

Expansion

8.0%

6.2

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.5

Audio

Poor
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%

9.4

User reviews

30.0%

1.5

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(4)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Very good
  • 3.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    6.5

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    1.0

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    4.6

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    2.7

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

  • No image
No image

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 Z87-WS is a high-performance workstation ATX motherboard built for the LGA1150 socket, supporting 4th Generation Intel Core and Xeon E3-1200 v3 processors on the Z87 Express chipset. It distinguishes itself with extreme expandability, featuring four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots that support 4-Way NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX configurations, alongside ten SATA 6Gb/s ports and dual server-class Intel I210 Gigabit LAN controllers. Key pros include professional-grade reliability with Dr. Power supply monitoring, 8+2 digital phase power design, and an integrated PLX bridge for maximum GPU bandwidth. However, notable cons include the lack of built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and the absence of ECC memory support, which may limit its appeal for certain server-specific workstation tasks.

Technical Specifications of ASUS Z87 WS

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%

3.9

Memory

16.0%

6.9

Platform & Features

16.0%

3.4

Storage

15.0%

5.5

Network

13.0%

3.7

Ports & USB

8.0%

2.9

Expansion

8.0%

6.2

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.5

Audio

4.9
ASUS Z87 WS has a technical score of 4.86 points, which is lower than that of 82.2% 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%

9.4

User reviews

30.0%

1.5

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
(4)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

7.0
ASUS Z87 WS has a user score of 7.02 points, which is lower than that of 77.7% 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.
1.5
ASUS Z87 WS has a popularity of 1.5 points, which is lower than 74.5% 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%

5.1

Overall score

40.0%

9.6

Price

6.4
ASUS Z87 WS has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.4 points, which is lower than 81.8% 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 1150
ASUS Z87 WS uses the LGA 1150 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 90.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.6% 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 Z87
ASUS Z87 WS uses the Intel Z87 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 80% of motherboards and equal to that of 3% 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 Z87 WS 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

DDR3
ASUS Z87 WS uses DDR3 memory, which is older than that of 86.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 13.4% 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 Z87 WS 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

32 GB
ASUS Z87 WS supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 87% of motherboards and equal to 11.2% 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 Z87 WS 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

2,800 MT/s
ASUS Z87 WS supports memory speeds up to 2800 MT/s, which is lower than that of 77.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.4% 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

0
ASUS Z87 WS has 0 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 88.4% of motherboards and equal to 11.7% 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

N/A
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

10
ASUS Z87 WS has 10 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 96.7% of motherboards and equal to 3.3% 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 Z87 WS supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 31.8% of motherboards and equal to 68.2% of motherboards.
secondary Marvell controller has different RAID limits
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 Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS 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

4
ASUS Z87 WS has 4 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 93.9% of motherboards and equal to 3.5% of motherboards.
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/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8
ASUS Z87 WS uses x16/x0/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is more flexible than that of 90.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.2% 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 Z87 WS does not support PCIe bifurcation. 61% of motherboards support this feature.
Requires BIOS mod.
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 Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS 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

0
ASUS Z87 WS has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.6% of motherboards and equal to 35.4% 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

0
ASUS Z87 WS has 0 USB-C ports (including headers), which is fewer than 69.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.4% 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 Z87 WS has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is equal to 81.6% of motherboards.
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 Z87 WS 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.
dual 1GbE ports
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

?
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

2
ASUS Z87 WS has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.5% 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 Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
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

112 dB
ASUS Z87 WS has an audio SNR of 112 dB, which is lower than that of 53.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.1% 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 Z87 WS supports a headphone amp. 37% of motherboards support this feature.
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

6
ASUS Z87 WS has 6 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 86.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.4% 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

12
ASUS Z87 WS has 12 VRM phases, which is more than 53.6% of motherboards and equal to 4.3% 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

2
ASUS Z87 WS has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.6% of motherboards and equal to 45.3% 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

6
ASUS Z87 WS has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50.3% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% 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

no
ASUS Z87 WS does not have a pump header. 77% 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

0 A
ASUS Z87 WS supports up to 0 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 74.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 25.7% of motherboards.
Show more

ASUS Z87 WS vs the average motherboard

  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    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

    ASUS Z87 WS has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.2 vs 1
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    ASUS Z87 WS has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane 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

    ASUS Z87 WS has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.x16/x0/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8 vs x16/x1
  • Includes POST code display
    ASUS Z87 WS has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
    What it is: Shows whether the board includes a diagnostic POST code readout for boot troubleshooting.
    When it matters: When you troubleshoot boot issues and want clearer error information.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z87 WS has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    ASUS Z87 WS has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 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

    ASUS Z87 WS has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    ASUS Z87 WS has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    What it is: The number of internal USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for front-panel Type-A ports.
    When it matters: When your case has front USB-A ports to connect.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    ASUS Z87 WS has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.2 vs 1
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS Z87 WS has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 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 Z87 WS has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.10 vs 4
  • 2 more eSATA ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has more eSATA ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 eSATA port/s.
    What it is: The number of eSATA ports available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you still use compatible external SATA storage.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z87 WS has more eSATA ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 eSATA port/s.2 vs 0
  • Supports mSATA
    ASUS Z87 WS supports mSATA, while the average motherboard does not. 1.9% of motherboards support mSATA.
    What it is: Shows whether the board includes an mSATA slot for older compact SATA-based storage devices.
    When it matters: When you use older mSATA storage devices.

    Importance: LOW

    ASUS Z87 WS supports mSATA, while the average motherboard does not. 1.9% of motherboards support mSATA.
  • Includes POST code display
    ASUS Z87 WS has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Broader Windows support
    ASUS Z87 WS has broader Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
  • Includes onboard power button
    ASUS Z87 WS has an onboard power button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.7% of motherboards include an onboard power button.
  • Includes onboard reset button
    ASUS Z87 WS has an onboard reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.6% of motherboards include an onboard reset button.
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    ASUS Z87 WS has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • Supports mSATA
    ASUS Z87 WS supports mSATA, while the average motherboard does not. 1.9% of motherboards support mSATA.
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    ASUS Z87 WS has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x0, x8/x8/x8/x8 vs x16/x1). The average motherboard uses x16/x1 PCIe slot lane configuration.
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    ASUS Z87 WS has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 3 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    ASUS Z87 WS has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    ASUS Z87 WS has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
  • 2 more eSATA ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has more eSATA ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 eSATA port/s.
  • Includes VGA connector
    ASUS Z87 WS has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 22% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
  • 1 more total USB connections
    ASUS Z87 WS has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • 2 more USB 2.0 ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has more USB 2.0 ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 port/s.
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
  • Includes coaxial S/PDIF out
    ASUS Z87 WS has coaxial S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does not. 2.6% of motherboards include coaxial S/PDIF out.
  • 1 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    ASUS Z87 WS has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (6 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks.
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    ASUS Z87 WS has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
  • More VRM phases
    ASUS Z87 WS has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • 1 more fan headers
    ASUS Z87 WS has more fan headers than the average motherboard (6 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 fan header/s.

Total
Platform & Features
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS Z87 WS has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z87 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • Older CPU socket
    ASUS Z87 WS has older CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1,150 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    ASUS Z87 WS is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 77.1% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • 8 years older release date
    ASUS Z87 WS is older than the average motherboard (2,013 vs 2,021). The average motherboard was released in 2,021.
    May 2013
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
  • Older DDR memory generation
    ASUS Z87 WS has older DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
  • 39.1% lower maximum RAM speed
    ASUS Z87 WS has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,800 MT/s vs 4,600 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,600 MT/s.
  • 43.2% lower overclocked RAM speed
    ASUS Z87 WS has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,800 MT/s vs 4,933 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 4,933 MT/s.
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
  • No NVMe RAID support
    ASUS Z87 WS does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    ASUS Z87 WS does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    Requires BIOS mod.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
  • 1 fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • Older HDMI version
    ASUS Z87 WS has older HDMI version than the average motherboard (1.4 vs 2.1). The average motherboard supports HDMI 2.1.
  • 1 fewer total USB-C connections
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS Z87 WS 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.
    dual 1GbE ports
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    ASUS Z87 WS does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 3 dB lower audio SNR
    ASUS Z87 WS has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (112 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • No pump header
    ASUS Z87 WS does not have a pump header, while the average motherboard does. 77% of motherboards include a pump header.
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    ASUS Z87 WS does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.3% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
  • 2 A lower pump header current limit
    ASUS Z87 WS has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (0 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    ASUS Z87 WS has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z87 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 Z87 WS has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z87 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel Z87 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    ASUS Z87 WS 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.
    dual 1GbE ports
    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 Z87 WS 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
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 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 Z87 WS has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.32 GB vs 128 GB
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 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 Z87 WS has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.0 vs 2
  • No NVMe RAID support
    ASUS Z87 WS 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 Z87 WS does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • Older DDR memory generation
    ASUS Z87 WS has older DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    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

    ASUS Z87 WS has older DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.DDR3 vs DDR4
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    ASUS Z87 WS does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    Requires BIOS mod.
    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 Z87 WS does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 61% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    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

    ASUS Z87 WS has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.0 vs 1
Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of ASUS Z87 WS and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.7
4 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about ASUS Z87 WS?

  • Excellent multi-GPU support, capable of housing up to four GPUs with dual-slot coolers.
  • Highly reliable and stable performance even under heavy workstation loads or overclocking.
  • Robust storage options including support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.
  • User-friendly and granular UEFI BIOS with useful features like a change log and note-taking.
  • Dual Intel i210 Gigabit Ethernet connections for premium wired networking.
  • Includes ASUS-exclusive features like USB BIOS Flashback for easy firmware updates.
  • Efficient power delivery and regulation suitable for professional productivity tasks.

What customers dislike about ASUS Z87 WS?

  • Lacks built-in wireless connectivity (No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth out of the box).
  • Does not support Thunderbolt, which some competitors in the same price range offer.
  • Missing some high-end consumer features like ASUS WiFi Go!
  • No support for ECC memory due to Intel chipset limitations, despite being a workstation board.
  • BIOS aesthetics are functional but not as visually modern as some enthusiast-focused boards.

Video reviews

Compare ASUS Z87 WS with

VS
VS

Compare