ASUS Launches TUF Sabretooth Z170 Mark 1 Motherboard
ASUS’ TUF motherboards have produced some mean looking boards over the last few years and have pretty much started the whole PCB armor trend. It only stands to reason that the latest addition to the TUF family for the Z170 chipset would be as equally as masculine, this time however, it also looks a lot sleeker as well with a gunmetal gray armor and yellow and light gray accent on the standard TUF military brown color scheme. It is not all about the looks however as TUF is built for endurance with high quality components and fortified assembly to ensure it continues running even in the most stressful of situations.
ASUS today announced TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1, an enduringly-tough new ATX motherboard with many exclusive TUF features, including trailblazing TUF Thermal Armor and TUF Fortifier technologies, TUF ICe, TUF Thermal Radar 2 and TUF Detective 2 for ultimate cooling, strength and easy monitoring and control.
The new Intel Z170 Express-based motherboard for 6th-generation Intel Core processors also boasts bang-up-to-date connectivity with both USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A and reversible Type-C on board, and delivers 24/7 durability with military-grade TUF Components, upgraded TUF ESD Guards 2 to fend off electrostatic discharge and a five-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
Designed tough, built to last: Thermal Armor, TUF Fortifier and Dust Defenders
TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 heralds a completely new design language for the ASUS TUF motherboard line, with the sleek, stealthy Thermal Armor reimagined in black and gunmetal grey. Thermal Armor employs dual fans to provide maximum airflow and rapid cooling board-wide, reducing temperatures in the area around the voltage-regulator module (VRM) by up to 20°C. It even includes a new interior shunt design to boost air cooling to the M.2 slot. The innovative design beneath the armor strengthens the PCI Express (PCIe) slots to minimize the risk of damage.
TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 also has TUF Fortifier to improve rigidity and endure heavy loads. The reinforced backplate ensures that the motherboard doesn’t buckle under the weight of heavy graphics cards and CPU coolers, minimizing the risk of damaged circuitry from bowing and bending up to weights of 10kg. TUF Fortifier even reduces internal temperatures by up to 13°C – an 18% improvement on the previous design.
TUF Dust Defenders protect Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1’s rear input/output (I/O) ports, expansion and memory slots, preventing dust and other airborne particles from entering these critical connectors.
As part of its outstanding new design, Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 even has a detachable metal badge bearing the iconic TUF emblem to use as a unique TUF key chain or necklace, and Q-LED illumination to give users the power to see and act on the alerts, with a clear indication of the available actions.
Total cooling solution: TUF ICe, Thermal Radar 2 and TUF Detective 2
TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 combines three thermal-management technologies to ensure the ultimate cooling for any build – TUF ICe, TUF Thermal Radar 2 and TUF Detective 2.
TUF ICe is a dedicated onboard processor that monitors onboard temperature sensors and fan speeds for ultra-accurate cooling.
TUF Thermal Radar 2 offers 12 fan connectors. The multiple onboard sensors and the bundled thermistor cable hand users the power to monitor graphics-card temperatures and other key components in real time, as well as the ability to adjust manually or optimize cooling automatically with one click.
The free TUF Detective 2 companion app has been upgraded, putting detailed system information and a user-friendly interface one a smartphone or tablet display – right at users’ fingertips. With TUF Detective 2, users are able to have fan control and monitor system information wirelessly, while key parameters can be monitored and errors detected and diagnosed errors with a cable connection.
24/7 durability, latest connectivity: TUF Components, ESD Guards 2, 5-year warranty and USB 3.1
TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 is engineered with TUF Components so it’s tough enough for the most demanding conditions, even under heavy loading. Japanese-made 10K black metallic capacitors offer 20%-better temperature endurance for a lifespan that’s up to ten times (10X) longer, and TUF alloy chokes are manufactured using high-grade anti-oxidization materials to provide heat dissipation that’s 13% better than before for unbeatable durability.
It’s also constructed with upgraded TUF ESD Guards 2 to defend numerous ports against sudden electrostatic discharge. Engineered to be two times (2X) stronger than before, TUF ESD Guards 2 covers all USB sockets and audio connectors – and exclusive pin-level testing on specific rear I/O connectors is 30% higher than the previous TUF standard.
Every TUF motherboard undergoes the industry’s most-punishing tests to ensure they’re ready for permanent duty in all scenarios. In our development labs we heat them, chill them, bend them, shock them and drop them – so TUF Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1 is certified for 24/7 durability, and backed by a five-year warranty.
