# Z370-A PRO > MSI Z370-A PRO: LGA1151 ATX motherboard for 8th/9th gen Core CPUs. 4x DDR4 slots, 1x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gbps. Budget-friendly overclocking platform. Tags: motherboard, msi, z370, lga1151, ddr4 Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B075GN9YC4 Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/z370-a-pro?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- ## Overview The MSI Z370-A PRO is an ATX motherboard built around the Intel Z370 chipset, supporting 8th and 9th Generation Core processors on the LGA1151 socket. It offers four DDR4 memory slots enabling dual-channel configurations up to 64GB, and includes a single M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs. Six SATA 6Gbps ports provide ample storage expansion for most builders. Positioned as an entry-to-mid-range board, the Z370-A PRO strips away extraneous gaming bling and focuses on core functionality. It supports CPU and memory overclocking, making it a strong value pick for budget-conscious users who want unlocked performance without paying a premium for flashier features. The board's rear I/O includes USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs, a gigabit Ethernet port, and 7.1-channel audio jacks. It also keeps a PS/2 combo port for legacy peripherals. ## Compatibility Guide CPU socket is LGA1151, compatible exclusively with Intel 8th-gen (Coffee Lake) and 9th-gen (Coffee Lake Refresh) processors. Supported CPUs include Core i9-9900K, i7-8700K, i5-8600K, and i5-8400. Memory support covers DDR4-4000 in overclocked mode, with four DIMM slots for up to 64GB total capacity. XMP profiles are handled through the BIOS. Expansion slots consist of two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x16/x4) and four PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. AMD CrossFire multi-GPU is supported. There is one M.2 slot compatible with PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe and SATA modes. Six SATA 6Gbps ports are available, but note that using SATA mode on the M.2 slot disables SATA port 5. The board uses the standard ATX form factor (305mm x 244mm), fitting most mid-tower and full-tower cases. ## Product Info In the market landscape, the Z370-A PRO sits at the entry-to-mid price tier. It competes directly with other Z370 boards but omits expensive extras like Wi-Fi, RGB headers, or reinforced PCIe slots to keep costs low. Warranty coverage is the standard three years through MSI. Availability is broad via major Japanese online retailers and brick-and-mortar PC shops. The chipset is Intel Z370. The VRM consists of a 6-phase design, adequate for moderate overclocking on 6-core CPUs but potentially limiting for extreme 8-core overclocks. ## Best Use Cases * Budget-conscious overclocking builders: Users who want an unlocked platform without paying extra for flashy heatsinks or RGB lighting. Pair with an i5-8600K and moderate overclocking for excellent 1080p gaming performance. * Used parts PC revival: The 8th/9th-gen Core platform is still relevant for gaming and daily tasks. Buying a new Z370-A PRO avoids worn-out used boards while keeping the platform alive. * Simple, reliable workstation: Build a silent office or media PC with an i5-8400 and a modest GPU. No extra lighting software needed, and the BIOS is stable out of the box. * First-time overclockers: MSI's Click BIOS 5 offers a clean interface with easy OC presets, making it accessible for beginners. ## Things to Consider This board supports only 8th and 9th generation Intel Core CPUs. It will NOT accept 7th-gen (Kaby Lake) or 10th/11th-gen processors. Physically incompatible — verify your CPU socket before purchase. The single M.2 slot is a limitation if you plan to use multiple NVMe drives. Users wanting two M.2 SSDs should look at Z390 or higher-end Z370 boards with additional slots. PCIe 3.0 is the highest supported standard. While modern graphics cards like the RTX 4060 or RX 7600 work without bandwidth constraints at 1080p/1440p, PCIe 4.0 SSDs will run at reduced speed. This is not a problem for typical gaming loads but may matter for content creators transferring large files. ## FAQ Q: Can I overclock a Core i7-8700K on this board? A: Yes. The Z370-A PRO supports overclocking via multiplier adjustment and voltage control in the BIOS. The 6-phase VRM is sufficient for a mild to moderate overclock, but pushing an 8-core i9-9900K to the limit may stress the VRMs without adequate airflow. Q: Does it support RGB headers? A: The Z370-A PRO does not include any RGB LED headers. If you plan to use RGB fans or strips, you will need an external RGB controller or a different motherboard with dedicated headers. Q: Will DDR4-3600 RAM work? A: Officially, the board supports DDR4-4000 (OC). DDR4-3600 kits will typically run at the rated speed after enabling XMP in BIOS, but we recommend checking the QVL list on MSI's support page for verified modules. Q: Can I use a PCIe 4.0 GPU on this board? A: Yes, physically compatible and functionally fine. The PCIe 4.0 card will operate at PCIe 3.0 speeds, which causes negligible performance loss on current GPUs for gaming. Only high-end workstation cards that fully saturate PCIe 4.0 bandwidth might see a minor impact in synthetic benchmarks. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: MSI - ASIN: B075GN9YC4 - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.