Potentially broken motherboard, looking for a recommendation

[XartaX]

Hi.

I'm fairly sure my Motherboard is on it's last legs, and I need a replacement. This post will be divided into two parts since it's fairly complicated. 1. describing my problem and seeing if you agree with my assessment that it's the motherboard that's broken. 2. Listing my requirements for a new motherboard. I'm currently using the Z170 classified mobo. Anyways, let's get on to it

1.
My computer used to work completely fine. However, a while ago, when I tried to turn on my computer normally, nothing happened. And it's been like that ever since. However, I am able to "kickstart" my computer by fiddling with the PSU power cable as I "spam click" the on-button. Essentially, if I'm able to click it as I hear a spark noise from the PSU (which usually requires a lot of fiddling. It can take me several minutes to get it running), it'll kickstart the computer and it'll be able to boot. My first thought was that there was something wrong with the PSU. However, I've tried another PSU and it is not able to boot my computer either. Secondly, I don't believe something is wrong with the case power button, as my on-board power button does not work either. In addition, I'm able to shut DOWN my computer with my case power button. I've also tried to use a different BIOS load out, but with the same result. As far as I can see this should be a motherboard issue, unless someone else have a better idea?

2.
I'm running an Intel M.2. NVMe hard disk (Intel 750 2.5" PCI-E 3.0 x4 SSD - 1.2TB) (EDIT: Actually, it's a U2 SSD, but using an adapter to the M2 key M slot), so I need a motherboard that has support for this.
I'm currently using a 1080 graphics card. It would be nice if there was space for a SLI setup as that is potentially going to happen down the line.
My CPU Cooler is fairly big (Noctua NH-D15S with two fans), so there has to be space for gpu/memory taking that into account. Although the cooler does have an "alcove" to accommodate memory.
I'd love if the Mobo has some standard on-board USB2 connectors. This is what I'm missing the most from my z170, as I'm unable to plug in some components due to the lack of these. It's not an absolute must, though.
The processor I'm running is Intel Core i7-6700K Skylake.
Preferably space to use at least 4 ram sticks.

Would my best option be to just buy another z170? Or do and of you guys have a better idea?

Thank you for reading this far

Edit: Forgot to mention, price isn't really an issue unless it's completely insane.

 

[scout_03]

you use ddr 4 ram see this have usb 2.0 and 3.0 https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z270-GAMING-PLUS.html seller https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130997&cm_re=z270-_-13-130-997-_-Product

 

[vapour]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270P-D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($84.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $84.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-07-11 13:38 EDT-0400

 

[SkyNetRising]

Asrock Z270 Killer SLI (~90 EUR)- 4 ram slots, SLI support, 2x USB 2 headers;
MSI Z270 SLI PLUS (~130 EUR) - 4 ram slots, SLI support, 2x USB 2 headers;
ASRock Z270M Extreme4 (~160 EUR) - 4 ram slots, SLI support, 2x USB 2 headers;

BTW - MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS and Gigabyte GA-Z270P-D3 have no SLI support.

 

[XartaX]

@SkyNetRising

Thank you. Yeah, SLI support would be nice.

One thing I forgot: The 750 SSD has a mini-SAS interface (I believe it's called U2?). For my z170 I'm using the ASUS Hyper kit to solve this (https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Accessory/Hyper_Kit/). However, I don't believe that's compatible with the ones you list. Is there something similar for those boards?

Also, is there a reason to not go to z370 chipset? Regardless, if the mini-sas/u2 thing can be solved then those are interesting cards.

 

[vapour]

Z370 only supports coffee lake atm, not backward compatible...

 

[XartaX]

Oh, fair enough. Dunno if it's worth upgrading my processor at this point. So it's just the u2 thing, then.

 

[XartaX]

I can't really find any adapters like that for z270 boards. I found the z270 classified K board, which includes a direct U2 connection, but sadly it's not currently being sold in my country. Unless anyone else have a good alternative I guess I have to go for the z170 again :/

 

[SkyNetRising]

Why do you think, your current U2 adapter would not work?

 

[XartaX]

Well, first of all the m2 slot would at least need to be Key M I assume, since that's what my old one is (not key E). Additionally, though: On the product page (https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Accessory/Hyper_Kit/) of the adapter it only lists the following platforms as supported:
Z170
H170
B150
X99

 

[SkyNetRising]

Probably compatibility list was made before release of Z270 and has not been updated since.

 

[XartaX]

Reading the specs: https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z270M%20Extreme4/index.asp#Specification

This:
"- 1 x Ultra M.2 Socket (M2_2), supports M Key type 2230/2242/2260/2280 M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb/s)"

Is a key M slot I assume, which is what I definitely need for the adapter. But how do you know the adapter will work with a different chip set? It would really suck to buy a new motherboard, disassembling&reassembling everything just for it to not work.

Edit: I see the specs say it supports ASRock U2 kit: https://www.asrock.com/mb/spec/card.asp?Model=U.2%20Kit

It's a different one, though...

Edit2: I'm also a bit worried about the size. It's a micro ATX card. My old card is an eATX card and the graphics card just barely fits with the cooler next to the CPU (like 1 cm from it).

 

[XartaX]

Got anything to add? If not I suppose I could just get the ASRock U2 kit as well just to be safe. Although I'm a bit worried about the size of the board like mentioned. Hmmmm.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Different size board just means, you may need to realign some standoffs in your pc enclosure.
And if mATX doesn't seem big enough then choose a different model.

 

[XartaX]

I mean I'm worried the graphics card won't be able to fit in with the cooler on my CPU, since it's rather large. My case is very modular so it has no problem accommodating both large and small boards.

Here's how it look at the moment, and that's on an eATX card:

Don't you think there will be less distance between the GPU slots and the CPU on the Z270M Extreme4?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Distances between slots are standardized.
If you think, more clearance between cpu cooler and gpu is necessary, you can opt for motherboard, that has first PCIE x16 in a lower position - like on Asrock Z270 Killer SLI.

 

[XartaX]

"Distances between slots are standardized."

I see, I didn't know it was standardized across different sizes as well. Thank you!

I did find another board, which looks interesting: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z270-WS/overview/

It seems to have the U.2 port directly on the board, which is a huge plus.

I also think it has all the other features I mentioned earlier that I'd like to have.

Does this look good to you?

Edit: If not, this is an alternative: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z270X-Gaming-9-rev-10#kf

 

[SkyNetRising]

Yes, those are good options.
Expensive ones though, but if you're ok with that, then sure.

 

[XartaX]

Thanks. Money isn't really an issue so that's fine. I can't really see much of a difference between the two boards specwise (although the gaming 9 seems to have lots of gimmicks), but the Gaming-9 board has dualbios (although I'd prefer separate BIOS you could manually swap between, like the z170 has) and I think better cooling. So I'll order that later today unless you could point out another massive difference I can't spot.