ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming AURA 3D Printed Preview

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming AURA 3D Printed Preview

Conclusion

Normally we don’t do conclusions for previews. Heck, we don’t normally award things that we haven’t tested, nor even write previews for anything but the most interesting items.

It speaks volumes then about the possibilities of the ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming AURA that we were so excited we had to give you a sneak peek and that the finished item was impressive enough we had to rock out the gate with an Award.

The majority of the qualities of a motherboard are in the connection options and the final performance figures. We understand that. However, we also understand that the latest Intel Chipsets are so bulletproof that it would take a monumental cock-up of ‘Vote Trump’ proportions to end up with a Z170 motherboard that isn’t worthy of purchase, and that is before we’ve even considered the fact that this is an ASUS board, a company hardly known for the poor quality of their hardware. So it’s safe to say that the Pro Gaming AURA will at the bare minimum be fine.

What obviously lifts it above the madding throng is the enhancement of its already excellent customisation options. Personalisation is the big thing right now, with everything from phone cases to car vinyl to t-shirts leaning upon their suitability to make them yours and yours alone for sales. Why buy a motherboard which looks like everyone elses or can only shine in red, or white, when you can grab the Z170 Pro Gaming AURA and have one which not only lights up in every colour under the sun but also can be customised with 3D Printed elements all over it. Okay so 90% of us will merely want to do what ASUS did for me and put our name on it, but because 3D Printing is so freeform you really could go crazy with it. Once you start thinking in three dimensions it would be just as possible to just stick your name in the M.2 slot as it would be to expand the 24 Pin ATX cover into a holder for the water-cooling reservoir, or a SSD bay, or .. well the sky – and your ability with a 3D design tool – is the limit.

We’re sure it wont be long until the more creative amongst you really get hold of this and do something special. Whether it’s as simple as multiple colours or as complex as things we mere mortals can’t imagine yet, the ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming AURA with 3D Printing is the next evolution of customisable PC Hardware and so wins our OC3D Innovation award.

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming AURA 3D Printed Preview 
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