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If you are a heavy PC user, you know the memory capacity and functionality of your motherboard impacts the performance and efficiency of your PC. You may have had it rough using older motherboards with inadequate storage that slow your data transfer and distort your gaming experience. We have good news for you.
The Intel 300 series, released in 2018, includes top-performing chipsets like the H370 and Z370 that can transform your gaming experience and deliver lightning-speed data processing.
Keep reading to learn more about these motherboards and their potential to speed up data processing on your PC.
H370 vs Z370
H370 | Z370 |
---|---|
Pros | Pros |
Supports enhanced gaming functions | Supports ultra-modern technology |
Embedded with a thermal sensor | Multiple external connectivity options |
Cons | Cons |
Single PCIe graphic card support | Lacks USB 3.1 Gen 2 slots |
Does not support overclocking | Not Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled |
Compatible with the latest PCs | Compatible with several graphic cards |
Best For | Best For |
Suitable for heavy gamers and digital entertainment enthusiasts | Heavy PC users keen on adapting the most modern computing technology |
What is H370?
The H370 is an Intel 300 series chipset that is suitable for gaming enthusiasts and users who need ultra-fast gaming speeds. It is compatible with DDR4 memory modules of up to 2666 MHz that deliver pure data signals needed for smooth gaming.
It has low latency and superb bandwidth management. As a multi-GPU, it comes with 2-way PCIe slots. With a suitable graphics card, you can expect an incredible virtual reality experience with this award-winning module as it has been tested to minimize motion stickiness.
The H370 chipset is compatible with 8th gen CPUs and 9th gen Intel Core, as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron processors. For a better gaming experience, manufacturers have incorporated in-game tools, such as X-Boost, Game Boost, Voice Boost, and GAMING Hotkey.
Photo credit: centralpoint.nl
The product is tested and certified by professional esports players who report that it supports full-time off and online gaming. For more connectivity, the H370 motherboard accepts HDM, VGA, and DVI outputs. It has four USB 3.1 ports, two USB 2.0 slots, and a LAN port. This is in addition to the PS/2 and Realtek ports.
The H370 system board has a flexible cooling system that coordinates the fans to keep your machine at a constant heat level. And what's more, you can configure the cooling settings of your device with a single click.
The boot and load time of your PC will be remarkably low as this motherboard has an Intel Optane mechanism that accelerates attached storage. This is done to help your machine to boot and load faster.
What is Z370?
This is another excellent motherboard for heady-duty uses. It comes with superior flexibility, enabled by the built-in Intel-Optane memory, M.2, and Thunderbolt 3 support connectivity. The incorporated DDR4 technology of your Z370 guarantees you ultra-pure signals to give you an excellent gaming experience without any trace of distortions.
The Z370 motherboard will give you a decent speed of up to 64GB/s from its two PCle super-fast M.2 slots. The high speed is also supported by a memory module with a SATA3 6 GB/s capacity. Z370 lightning-fast clock speed is further supported by its Thunderbolt3 technology.
It also has a remarkable M.2 thermal guard that stabilizes your device's temperature at 200ºC. This is the right temperature to sustain reliable speeds without the risk of overheating. This is great as it prolongs the lifespan of your battery.
Photo credit: anandtech.com
Your intel Z370 motherboard is more versatile as it supports 8th and 9th generation Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 Pentium and Celeron processors. With a 288-pin interface, it has four DIMM, 1 CPU, and several PCIe expansion slots. This gives you a wide option when adding more components with this 5-way optimization.
If you are buying this motherboard for long gaming sessions, expect a high performance enabled by the Intel Gigabyte LAN Ethernet controller, which promises better media presentation and online gaming.
This is made possible by the embedded jumbo frame for holding large data, decreasing boot and load time as well as increased data transmission.
Relevant Characteristics Between H370 and Z370
H370 Photo credit: amazon.com | Z370 Photo credit: msi.com | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1x16 | PCIe 3.0 Configuration Support | 1x16 2x8 or 1x8 2x4 | |||
14 | Max USB Ports | 14 | |||
24 | PCIe Lanes | 20 | |||
No | Overclocking Ability | Yes | |||
Yes | Integrated Intel Wireless-AC Support | No | |||
4 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) | 0 | |||
8 | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) | 10 |
Similarities and Differences
Now that we have shown you the most basic characteristics of these two motherboards, we will now show you how they are similar as well as how they differ. Let’s begin with the differences between H370 and Z370.
H370 and Z370 Differences
Overclocking Ability
Z370 has the verclocking ability, which the H370 motherboard lacks. The Z370 can reach a maximum of 4000MHz overclocking speed. This high speed is enabled by Z370’s superior memory capacity of 64GB and an additional M.2 connectivity of 32GB/s.
USB 3.1 Gen1 and USB 3.1 Gen 2
USB 3.1 Gen 2 has a connectivity speed of 10GB/s, which is double the speed of USB 3.1 Gen 1. This adds a big advantage to the H370 as it has four slots for the USB 3.1 Gen 2 and four for USB 3.1 Gen 1.
Z370, on the other hand, lacks USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, but it has eight USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. This means that your H370 motherboard will give you faster loading and booting than Z370.
Integrated Intel Wireless-AC Support
H370 motherboard is WI-FI enabled and you can also access it through your Bluetooth device. This is lacking in the Z370 which does not support wireless connectivity.
PCIe 3.0 Configuration
The H370 motherboard supports a single PCIe 3.0 configuration, but the Z370 gives you four options for your PCIe 3.0 graphic cards.
Photo credit: techspot.com
H370 and Z370 Similarities
Maximum USB Ports
Although these motherboards accommodate different models of USB mechanisms, both have 14 USB ports. Some USB ports are at the rear and others are at the front. This is great as it makes them scalable, and also allows you to connect several components to your PC.
Thermal Guard
Both your H370 and Z370 motherboards have integrated thermal guards that keep the heat intensity of your device at a constant level. This is good as it removes the risk of your device overheating. Overheating can cause the fans to overwork and malfunction. It also makes your PC use more power.
DDR4 Technology
These two modules accommodate the DDR4 form factor, which offers excellent memory capacity. Also, DDR4 is superb in supporting high overclocking speeds in the Z370. You can also scale up your memory if you have DDR4 to accommodate future increased demands for more storage.
8th and 9th Gen Intel Core Technology
H370 and Z370 are compatible with 8th and 9th Generations Intel Core technology. This is exceptional as they can fit well with the latest models of computing gadgets on the market. Notably, Z370 also supports i3, i5, and i7. Both are also well-suited to work with Pentium Gold and Celeron PCs.
Advantages of H370
Purchasing an H370 motherboard comes with many advantages. We will discuss some of these in this section.
Photo credit: back2gaming.com
Integrated Thermal Controller
You won’t have to worry about your gadget overheating as it has an integrated heat guard to keep the temperature low.
Even if you are using your PC non-stop to execute heavy-duty data transmission, your machine retains a constant temperature. And you can configure the temperature of your PC just by pressing a button.
Stability
If you are a heavy gamer, you are keen on a motherboard that will support a high frame per second (FPS) for your online games. With a huge memory capacity, H370 guarantees you a smooth and stable running as it can handle huge FPS demands.
Versatility
You can insert your H370 into Pentium Gold, Celeron, or Intel Core machines. It is suited for i9, i8, i7, i5, and i3 computers. Also, you can take advantage of the integrated Bluetooth and WI-FI connectivity for added external connectivity.
The PCIe configuration will also allow you more connectivity for your H370. Unfortunately, it is only compatible with 1x 16 PCIe 3.0 graphic cards.
Enhanced Gaming Functions
Using this motherboard will take your gaming to a whole new level. It has incorporated functions that give incredible support to gamers. These include embedded gaming weapons like Game Boost and X-Boost. Besides, the enhanced DDR4 technology offers you undistorted, lightning-speed gaming sessions.
Advantages of Z370
Maybe you are wondering if you should go for the Z370 motherboard, and what benefits you stand to enjoy when you do. In this section, we will tell you why Z370 is a good bet, and what makes it a superior system board.
Flexible Connectivity
If you need to change your PCIe connectivity, you will have four options to choose from. This motherboard supports 1x16, 2x8, 1x8, and 2x4 PCIe configurations. Also, it accommodates some USB connections. You can use HDMI and VGA connections with this motherboard.
DDR4 Form Factor
This is a huge advantage as it ensures that your data processing is both super-fast and stable. DDR4 technology comes with a large memory capacity to support super-quick data transmission. With that, you can be sure of sustained stability regardless of how demanding your gaming sessions get.
DDR4 will also allow you to connect more devices to your motherboard to increase its memory capacity, and introduce more computing components. Motherboards with DDR4 form factor have slots to accommodate such connections.
Photo credit: pcgamer.com
Superior Overclocking Speed
This is among the motherboards with an ultra-high overclocking speed. With this system board, you can reach an overclocking speed of 4000MHz. This is thanks to its high capacity DDR4 technology, as well as the option of connecting memory-enhancing components.
Thermal Guard
If you keep your computer running for long hours and process large volumes of data, the Z370 motherboard will perfectly serve you. It has incorporated highly efficient fans and thermal guards that regulate the temperature of your computer.
This is helpful as it saves you power that the fans would have used to cool down your device. Also, you will not need to replace the battery of your machine as the thermal guard protects it from premature damage.
What About Z390?
This motherboard is designed to work with 8th and 9th Gen technology. It has ultra-high overclocking speeds that take a short time to configure manually. This is because it has an enhanced five-way optimization.
Z390 supports lightning-speed data transfer of up to 32GB/s. The four PCIe 3.0 and 2.0 slots make this possible. Besides, it supports a total of 10 USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 connections. With these, you will effortlessly increase your data transfer speed by as much as 10GB/s.
The thermal sensors embedded on this motherboard keep the temperature of your device at an optimized level. The audio function is also upgraded to collaborate with Realtek to provide you with pristine sound output.
Photo credit: cclonline.com
Your Z390 is one of the few motherboards that support both memory and CPU overclocking. This is important for you if you want a superior device that supports your heavy gaming and media presentation.
To achieve this, air your Z390 with 9th Gen technology and you will enjoy endless flexibility with your overclocking and data transfer speeds.
Z390 also accommodates multiple graphic cards. They are supported by DDR4 and have a maximum storage capacity of 128GB. These motherboards have overclocking speeds ranging from 2133MHz to 4400MHz.
When and Why Would I Use H370?
You can use H370 when you want a motherboard that supports high overclocking speeds, is power-efficient, and has a thermal regulator to avoid overheating your computer. H370 is ideal for heavy gaming and large data processing.
You can also use it for your server as it has a high memory capacity and bandwidth. Also, H370 would be a good choice if you need a motherboard with more USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports. You will also enjoy wireless connectivity as it is enabled for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
You should use H370 when you want to regulate the heat output of your device. It has an excellent thermal regulator that will not only save you huge power bills but also prolong the lifespan of your battery.
If you are looking for a system board with integrated gaming functions, H370 is your bet. With the embedded X-Boost, GAMING Hotkey, and Game Boost, you will enjoy improved gaming sessions. Also, because it has enhanced memory capacity, you will get sufficient FPS for your games and media presentations.
H370 will serve you well when you want a motherboard with several USB ports as it has a total of 14 USB ports. Besides, you will be able to use your HDMI, VGI, and VGA cables as this motherboard has slots to support them.
Photo credit: tweaktown.com
When and Why Would I Use Z370?
Choose Z370 when you want a motherboard that is compatible with old and modern computing technology. It works on i3, i5, i7, i8, and i9. Using Z370 will allow you the flexibility of using Celeron, Pentium, or Intel Core machines.
This system board is also good for you when you want a motherboard with superior overclocking speed. It manages overclocking speeds of up to 4000MHz. It also has a larger storage space on its DDR4 memory module. This is perfect for you if you are a heavy gamer, or you require super-fast media presentations for your entertainment sessions.
If you need more connectivity, you can connect other components through the USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 ports. This is your bet if you want a wide choice of PCIe 3.0 configurations. It offers a choice of four, between 2x4, 2x8, 1x8, and 1x16 PCIe 3.0 configurations.
The 14 USB ports that motherboard supports offer you huge connectivity options. This is great for higher FPS requirements, as well as increased overclocking speed. The bandwidth is also good enough for both light and heavy-duty data processing.
This is the motherboard for you when you require one with excellent thermal control. Your computer can remain on for longer hours without heating up to damage levels. This is one of the ways that you will save on power consumption as your fan will not work too much to keep the motherboard fully cooled.
Bottom Line
H370 and Z370 are good motherboards for PCs that undertake heavy data transmission at ultra-high speed. They are supported by state-of-the-art technology that enhances their memory capacity and connectivity flexibility. The Z370 will offer you high overclocking speeds.
To support heavy and prolonged gaming sessions, manufacturers have integrated functions that support gaming. The two motherboards work well on most PCs such as Pentium Gold and Intel Core. They are excellent at regulating the temperature of your PC, and they guarantee great stability when processing huge files at high speed.
They differ in that while H370 is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled while Z370 is not. H370 has USB 3.1 Gen2 slots that are missing on the Z370. Z370 has an overclocking capacity of 4000MHz as compared to H370 that does not support overclocking.
Both H370 and Z370 are good choices when you want PCIe configuration. With Z370, you can use four types of graphic cards.
These motherboards also allow you to run your PC for longer hours without overworking its fans. This is because they have integrated thermal control functions.
Z390 is also a great motherboard, with almost similar specs to Z370 and H370. It has superior overclocking, reaching a maximum of 4400MHz. It also has more storage, with a capacity of 128GB.
Photo credit: bit-tech.net
People Also Ask
By now you know that H370 and Z370 are among the best motherboards on the market, but you could still have unanswered questions about them. No need to worry as we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about H370 and Z370.
Can H370 Overclock?
H370 overclocks at various capacities. You can overclock to a maximum speed of 2666MHz. However, this limited overclocking is also temporary since no matter how much you try to tweak it up, it keeps falling back to the processor defaults as specified by the manufacturer. It is for this reason that H370 motherboards are declared to be lacking overclocking capacity.
Does H370 Support 9TH Gen?
H370 supports both 9th and 8th Gen technology. You can use it on most modern devices such as Celeron, Intel Core, and Pentium Gold PCs. Given the new BIOS update, the H370 motherboards can now support 9th Gen.
Photo credit: motherboarddb.com
However, most of them will require you to download the updated BIOS and if you are not so tech-savvy, this might prove to be an uphill task if you are not familiar with both the BIOS options and their update methods. It is appropriate that you should seek an expert’s help to carry out this process safely and seamlessly.
Is Z370 Overclockable?
The Z370 is overclockable. It has a super-high overclocking speed of 4000MHz. It can achieve a high overclocking speed as it has a superior memory space. You can also increase its memory capacity by connecting more memory-boosting devices through the USB ports.
What Processors Fit a Z370?
All i3, i5, i7, i8, and i9 processors fit a Z370 perfectly. This makes it one of the most versatile motherboards on sale today. It also works on Celeron, Pentium Gold, and Intel Core technologies.