Comparison MSI Z370M GAMING PRO AC vs Asus ROG STRIX Z370-G GAMING (WI-FI AC)

Synchronization technology provided in the board with LED backlight (see above).

Synchronization itself allows you to "match" the backlight of the motherboard with the backlight of other system components — cases, video cards, keyboards, mice, etc. Thanks to this matching, all components can change colour synchronously, turn on / off at the same time, etc. Specific features the operation of such backlighting depends on the synchronization technology used, and, usually, each manufacturer has its own (Mystic Light Sync for MSI, RGB Fusion for Gigabyte, etc.). The compatibility of the components also depends on this: they must all support the same technology. So the easiest way to achieve backlight compatibility is to collect components from the same manufacturer.

Number of SATA 3 ports on the motherboard.

SATA is now the standard interface for connecting internal drives (mainly HDDs) and optical drives. One device is connected to one such connector, so the number of SATA ports corresponds to the number of internal drives / drives that can be connected to the motherboard through such an interface. A large number ( 6 SATA ports and more) is necessary in case of active use of several hard drives and other peripherals. For domestic use, 4 is enough. SATA 3, as the name suggests, is the third version of this interface, operating at a total speed of about 6 Gbps; the useful speed, taking into account the redundancy of the transmitted data, is about 4.8 Mbps (600 MB / s) — that is, twice as much as in SATA 2.

Note that different SATA standards are quite compatible with each other in both directions: older drives can be connected to newer ports, and vice versa. The only thing is that the data transfer rate will be limited by the capabilities of the slower version, and in some cases it may be necessary to reconfigure the drives with hardware (switches, jumpers) or software. It is also worth saying that SATA 3 is the newest and most advanced variation of SATA today, but the capabilities of this standard are not enough to unlock the full potential of high-speed SSDs. Therefore, SATA 3 is mainly used for hard drives and low-cost SSDs, faster drives ar...e connected to specially designed connectors like M.2 or U.2 (see below).

Electrical (logical) interfaces implemented through physical M.2 connectors on the motherboard.

See above for more details on such connectors. Here we note that they can work with two types of interfaces:

• SATA is a standard originally created for hard drives. M.2 usually supports the newest version, SATA 3; however, even it is noticeably inferior to PCI-E in terms of speed (600 MB / s) and functionality (only drives);
• PCI-E is the most common modern interface for connecting internal peripherals (otherwise NVMe). Suitable for both expansion cards (such as wireless adapters) and drives, while PCI-E speeds allow you to fully realize the potential of modern SSDs. The maximum communication speed depends on the version of this interface and on the number of lines. In modern M.2 connectors, you can find PCI-E versions 3.0 and 4.0, with speeds of about 1 GB / s and 2 GB / s per lane, respectively; and the number of lanes can be 1, 2 or 4 (PCI-E 1x, 2x and 4x respectively)

Specifically, the M.2 interface in the characteristics of motherboards is indicated by the number of connectors themselves and by the type of interfaces provided for in each of them. For example, the entry "3xSATA / PCI-E 4x" means three connectors that can work both in SATA format and in PCI-E 4x format; and the designation "1xSATA / PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 2x" means two connectors, one of which works as SATA or PCI-E 4x, and the second — only as PCI-E 2x.

The number of USB 3.2 gen1 connectors provided on the motherboard.

USB connectors (of all versions) are used to connect USB ports located on the external side of the case to the "motherboard" (usually on the front panel, less often on the top or side). Such a port is connected to the connector with a special cable, and usually, one connector works only with one port. In other words, the number of connectors on the motherboard corresponds to the maximum number of USB ports that can be used with it. It should be noted that in this case we are talking about traditional USB A ports; connectors for the newer USB C are mentioned separately in the specifications.

As for the specific version USB 3.2 gen1 (previously known as USB 3.1 gen1 and USB 3.0), it provides a data transfer speed of up to 4.8 Gb/s and higher power delivery than the earlier USB 2.0 standard. At the same time, USB Power Delivery technology, allowing for power delivery up to 100 W, is generally not supported by connectors of this version for USB A (although it may be implemented in connectors for USB C).

Number of USB C 3.2 gen2 connectors provided on the motherboard.

USB C connectors (of all versions) are used to connect USB C ports to the "motherboard" from the external side of the case (usually on the front panel, less often on the top or side). Such a port is connected to a connector with a special cable, and typically, one connector works with only one port. In other words, the number of connectors on the motherboard corresponds to the maximum number of USB C case ports that can be used with it.

Let's recall, USB C is a relatively new type of USB connector, distinguished by its small size and reversible design; such connectors have their technical features, hence separate connectors need to be accounted for them. Specifically, the USB 3.2 gen2 version (previously known as USB 3.1 gen2 and USB 3.1) operates at speeds up to 10 Gbit/s and allows the implementation of USB Power Delivery technology, allowing the power output for USB peripherals to reach up to 100 W per port. However, the availability of Power Delivery on specific motherboards (and even in specific connectors on one board) should be verified separately.

The model of the audio chip (a module for processing and outputting sound) installed on the motherboard. Data on the exact name of the sound chip will be useful when looking for detailed information about it.

Modern "motherboards" can be equipped with fairly advanced audio modules, with high sound quality and extensive features, which makes them suitable even for gaming and multimedia PCs (although professional audio work will still most likely require a separate sound card). Here are the most popular modern audio chips: Realtek ALC887, Realtek ALC892, Realtek ALC1150, Realtek ALC1200, Realtek ALC1220, Realtek ALC4050, Realtek ALC4080, Supreme FX.

The number of USB 2.0 connectors installed on the back of the motherboard.

Recall that USB is the most popular modern connector for connecting various external peripherals — from keyboards and mice to specialized equipment. And USB 2.0 is the oldest version of this interface that is relevant today; it is noticeably inferior to the newer USB 3.2 both in terms of speed (up to 480 Mbps), and in terms of power supply and additional functionality. On the other hand, even such characteristics are often enough for undemanding peripherals (like the same keyboards / mice); and devices of newer versions can be connected to the connectors of this standard — there would be enough power supply. So this version of USB is still found in modern motherboards, although there are fewer and fewer new models with USB 2.0 connectors.

Note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself (more precisely, ports on the PC case connected to such connectors) can also provide a USB connection. See below for more on this.

The number of native USB 3.2 gen2 connectors provided on the back of the motherboard. In this case, we mean traditional, full-size USB A ports.

USB 3.2 gen2(formerly known as USB 3.1 gen2 and simply USB 3.1) is the evolution of USB 3.2 after version 3.2 gen1 (see above). This standard provides connection speeds up to 10 Gbps, and to power external devices in such connectors, USB Power Delivery technology (see below) can be provided, which allows you to output up to 100 W per device (however, Power Delivery support is not mandatory, its presence should be specified separately). Traditionally for the USB standard, this interface is backwards compatible with previous versions — in other words, you can easily connect a device supporting USB 2.0 or 3.2 gen1 to this port (unless the speed will be limited by the capabilities of a slower version).

The more connectors provided in the design, the more peripheral devices can be connected to the motherboard without the use of additional equipment (USB splitters). In some models of motherboards, the number of ports of this type is 5 or even more. At the same time, we note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself (more precisely, ports on the case connected to such connectors) can also provide a USB connection. See below for more on this.

Number of USB C 3.2 gen2 ports provided on the rear panel of the motherboard.

USB C is a relatively new type of connector used in both portable devices and desktop PCs. It is compact in size and features a convenient reversible design, allowing the plug to be inserted into the port either way. The 3.2 gen2 connection version (previously known as USB 3.1 gen2 and USB 3.1) can operate at speeds up to 10 Gbps and supports USB Power Delivery technology, which enables power delivery to external devices up to 100W. However, the presence of Power Delivery should be confirmed separately, as this function is not mandatory.

As for the number, most commonly there is one such port, and only a few "motherboards" have two USB C 3.2 gen2 ports. This is because there is not much USB C peripheral released for desktop PCs, with full-sized USB A being more popular. Additionally, it's worth noting that apart from ports on the rear panel, USB connectivity can also be provided by connectors on the motherboard itself (more precisely, ports on the case connected to such connectors). For more details, see below.