This article covers GIGABYTE GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming マザーボード [Intel Z270チップセット搭載] MB3953.

Overview

The GIGABYTE GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming is an ATX motherboard built around Intel's Z270 chipset, designed for users who want a feature-rich platform without jumping to the latest generation. It supports LGA1151 sockets compatible with 6th Gen Skylake and 7th Gen Kaby Lake processors, and offers four DDR4 memory slots for up to 64GB of RAM. With Realtek ALC1220 audio and Intel i219V LAN, it covers both gaming and everyday productivity needs.
This motherboard sits in the mid-to-high range of the Z270 lineup, offering three PCIe x16 slots (x16/x8/x4 configuration) for multi-GPU or expansion cards, and six SATA 3.0 ports plus one M.2 slot for storage. GIGABYTE's Smart Fan 5 and RGB Fusion are also on board, giving users flexible cooling control and lighting customization.

Compatibility Guide

The GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming uses the LGA1151 socket, so it works with Intel Core i7-7700K, i5-7600K, and other 7th Gen Kaby Lake CPUs, as well as 6th Gen Skylake processors. Note: early BIOS revisions may need an update to support Kaby Lake chips; if you don't have a Skylake CPU on hand this could be a problem.
Memory: four DDR4 DIMM slots support up to 64GB total. Default speed is DDR4-2133, but overclocking is supported up to DDR4-3866+ via XMP. For graphics, the three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots officially support SLI/CrossFireX, but the second and third slots run at x8 and x4 respectively. Storage includes six SATA 3.0 ports plus one M.2 slot (NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA) for high-speed SSDs.

Product Info

Released in early 2017, the GA-Z270X-Ultra Gaming was a mid-to-high tier offering at around ¥28,000-35,000 originally. Today, limited stock sells on online retailers for about ¥79,126 (as of 2026). It comes with a 1-year warranty through authorized Japanese distributors.
Key specs include: Intel Z270 chipset, ATX form factor, DDR4 x4 slots (max 64GB), 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16/x8/x4), 6x SATA 3.0, 1x M.2, Realtek ALC1220 audio, Intel i219V LAN, 4x USB 3.0 front/4 rear.
While the Z270 platform is now older, it remains a viable option for budget builds using legacy CPU stock or for those who already own compatible processors.

Best Use Cases

  • Budget gaming PC build – If you already have a LGA1151 CPU like an i5-6600K or i7-7700, this motherboard offers good expansion options at a low upgrade cost. Pair it with a modest GPU like an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 for 1080p gaming. Not recommended for those wanting modern features like PCIe 4.0/5.0 or Wi-Fi 6E.
  • Multi-GPU or expansion card setup – With three PCIe x16 slots, you can run SLI/CrossFireX or add dedicated sound cards, capture cards, or RAID controllers. But note the reduced bandwidth on secondary slots; only the first slot runs at full x16.
  • Retro/Windows 10 daily driver – This board works great as a secondary PC or retro gaming rig. It lacks official Windows 11 support (no TPM 2.0), but Windows 10 runs flawlessly. If you need a reliable machine for older software or offline tasks, this is a solid choice.
  • Not for – Users who want the latest CPU platforms (12th-14th Gen Intel, AM5), DDR5 memory, or Windows 11 compliance. Also, if you're buying new, the price may not be justified compared to a budget modern motherboard + CPU combo.

Things to Consider

  • CPU generation lock – Only 6th/7th Gen Intel Core CPUs fit. No 8th Gen or newer. This limits performance and upgrade paths.
  • Windows 11 limitations – The motherboard lacks a TPM 2.0 header (though fTPM via BIOS might be possible with 7th Gen CPUs, it's not guaranteed). Stick with Windows 10 to avoid issues.
  • Price vs. value – At roughly ¥80,000 it's expensive for an old platform. For that money you can buy a new B760 + i3-12100F combo with much better CPU performance and modern features.
  • BIOS deadlock – Ensure you have a Skylake CPU available if the BIOS needs updating to run Kaby Lake.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a Core i7-7700K with this motherboard?
A: Yes, but the BIOS must be version F4 or later. If the board comes with older BIOS, you'll need a 6th Gen Skylake CPU to update it first.
Q: Does this motherboard support Windows 11?
A: Officially, no. The Z270 chipset doesn't include a built-in TPM 2.0, and 7th Gen CPUs are not on Microsoft's approved list. It's best used with Windows 10.
Q: Can I install an M.2 NVMe SSD?
A: Yes, the M.2 slot supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSDs. Note that using certain SATA M.2 drives may disable one SATA port.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: GIGABYTE
  • Seller: みつやストア
  • Fulfilled by: みつやストア
  • ASIN: B01N66ZESI
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.