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.
Because of the size and design of the Bitspower VRM block, the Noctua mount would not fit in its default orientation (more on that below). As a result, the cooler had to be mounted with its airflow going towards the PCIe slots rather than towards the rear panel. However, the cooler itself fits the socket area well in this alternate orientation with adequate clearance between the VRM block and the heat sink's heat pipes.
The closeup views of the cooler seating and mounting further display the fit of the cooler to the board, further illustrating the space between the heat sink's heat pipes and the VRM block. It is tight, but there are no binding or contact related issues.
Unfortunately, the Noctua mount did not fit to the board in its default configuration. When mounted in its default configuration, the right side bracket conflicts with the VRM block to the right of the CPU socket. The bracket can not be mounted because the block is a bit wider than the typical VRM heat sink included with other Z270-based boards.
The Noctua hold down mechanism is large enough to quickly determine exactly how much space is available around the CPU socket. In its alternate configuration, the mounting brackets fit to the board. However, the upper bracket has millimeters of space between it and the upper portion of the VRM block.
The cooler's backplate rests on top of the socket backplate, minimizing the risk of direct board contact. Further, there is no circuitry in close proximity to the socket to alleviate risks of crushing board mounted components.
Included Accessories
GIGABYTE provides all necessary components to get the Z270X-Gaming 8 motherboard up and running in your system.
GIGABYTE included a detailed and well written manual with the board, describing board install and features in depth. Also included is a driver DVD with all necessary hardware drivers and Window's utilities.
The board's rear panel shield is an aluminum plate with imbeddeded RBG lighting featuring the AORUS series logo and port identifying text and icons printed in white text on its surface making for an easy to read implementation. The embedded LEDs can be customized to match the colors on the other sections of the board through the UEFI or via the Windows applet.
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 multi-GPU configurations, GIGABYTE included a single two-way NVIDIA SLI HB adapter. The ports on the back of the adapter are steel reinforced giving the ports additional strength.
For use with the integrated WI-FI card, GIGABYTE includes a dual-plug antennae. The antenna leads plug directly into the provided ports integrated into the rear panel and can be swiveled in a 180 degree arc for optimal signal reception.
For use with the integrated 12V RGBW LED header, GIGABYTE included two five wire RGBW cables 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.
GIGABYTE included two temperature diodes for temperature monitoring via the integrated board headers.
For cable management purposes, GIGABYTE included several AORUS-branded velcro cable strips as well as as sheet of colored cable labels for easy identification purposes.
GIGABYTE also included an AORUS-branded door hanger.
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“GIGABYTE also included an AORUS-branded door hanger.”
Sock not required with your $470 Z270 motherboard…