CPU Cooler Fit and Included Accessories
CPU Cooler Fit
To test the amount of space surrounding the CPU socket, we mounted the Noctua NH-D15 cooler to the CPU socket. This behemoth CPU air cooler sports a dual fan construction and two huge vertical cooling towers.
When oriented in its default configuration with air blown towards the rear panel of the case, the Noctua cooler fits into the CPU socket area of the Z270X-Gaming 5 without issues. Further, the spacing between the CPU socket area and the primary PCIe x16 slot are sufficient to seat a video card with the cooler mounted. Note that you may have spacing issues between a large cooler and a card mounted in the primary PCIe x1 slot however.
The closeup views of the cooler seating and mounting further display just how well the Noctua cooler fits to the board. Even though fit between the cooler and the upper VRM heat sink looks tight, there is sufficient clearance between the two.
The Noctua hold down mechanism is large enough to quickly determine exactly how much space is available around the CPU socket. The Noctua mounts fits the socket with no tight areas or contact points evident between it and the on board capacitors, chokes, or heat sinks.
The cooler's backplate rests on the socket backplate, minimizing the risk of direct board contact. Further, there is no circuitry in close proximity to the socket to pose risks.
Included Accessories
GIGABYTE provides all necessary components to get the Z270X-Gaming 5 motherboard up and running in your system.
Although the review sample provided only included a quick start guide, the PDF version of the manual for the board details out the board components and BIOS in easy to read and sufficiently detailed language. Also included is a driver DVD with all necessary hardware drivers and Window's utilities and an Aorus series case badge.
The board's rear panel shield is an aluminum plate with a black matte overlay containing the AORUS series logo and port identifying text and icons printed in tan text on its surface making for an easy to read implementation.
GIGABYTE included a total of four black colored 6Gb/s rated SATA cables for use with the integrated port. The cables have integrated port locks and a mix of straight and 90 degree connectors.
For use with the integrated 12V RGBW LED header, GIGABYTE included a five wire RGBW cable for syncing your case RGB or RGBW cables with the motherboard lighting configuration. Attached LED cables can be controlled via the included RGS Fusion app as well.
For use with the on-board front panel header, GIGABYTE included G Connector device. You simply plug the front panel case leads into the G Connector, locking the plugs in place, and then plug the G Connector into the front panel board header. It makes the installation of the front panel plugs much easier. The G Connector housing has notched arms that lock the case header plugs in place within the housing.
Mr. Morry Teitelman what’s
Mr. Morry Teitelman what’s wrong with the CMOS battery placement? the major issue u didn’t mention is related to the auto vcore? the new bios really fixed the problem? thanks.
It’d be cool if a long term
It’d be cool if a long term motherboard review was done to test the reliability of various mobos.
Cool it has the 2 M.2 slots
Cool it has the 2 M.2 slots
what’s the point of reviewing
what’s the point of reviewing this,ryzen is here. lol.
You’re funny.
Don’t worry,
You're funny.
Don't worry, the Ryzen board reviews will be here soon enough…
Silver award with only 1
Silver award with only 1 weakness? Oh come on!
This is supposed to be a review not a marketing puff piece.
Tell us what the downsides of this motherboard are!
This is a very nice
This is a very nice motherboard. Would you put this above or below the Strix s270e?
The few sites I have read say its a great mobo in the “mid-range” but then they often say z270e is likely the better option (https://www.esportsource.net/best-gaming-motherboards/z270/)
Do you have any input? Missing piece is a mobo for my new build and want to order today haha 🙂