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 Strix Z270E Gaming 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

The Strix Z270E Gaming motherboard comes with all the necessary components to get the board up and running, as well as some nice to have accessories to further customize the board's look.

The manual included with the Strix Z270E Gaming does not disappoint, written in the clear and detailed language we've come to expect from ASUS motherboard manuals. Also included is a driver DVD with all necessary hardware drivers and Window's utilities, ROG cable labels, and an ROG drink coaster. The cable labels can be used to label and identify SATA cables and other case cables.

The board's rear panel shield consists of a black surface with the port identifying text and icons printed in white text. Under good lighting, the text and icons are easy to read, but may be challenging to see under poor lighting conditions.

ASUS bundled in four black 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 multi-GPU use, ASUS included a single two-way NVIDIA SLI HB adapter.

For use with the integrated WIFI adapter, ASUS includes a dual-plug antennae with gold-plated screw-in connectors. The antennae can be used in a flat or upright orientation with its flat surface optimized for broadcast and reception of 802.11ac type signals.

ASUS included a CPU installation tool with the motherboard to ensure easy and proper CPU installation into the board's socket. You simply snap the plastic guide over top of the CPU and place the CPU in the socket with the "This Side Up" arrow placed near the socket hinge. The plastic guide remains in place when you lock the CPU into the socket.

For use with an external RBG LED strip, ASUS included an extension cable that plugs into the board's RBG LED header for powering and syncing the external strip with the board's illumination settings.

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