Biostar Racing Z170 GT7 Motherboard Review

Motherboard software is hit and miss at the best of times so Biostar's strategy of focusing on only one piece of software for the Racing Z170 GT7 is astute. The “Racing GT” software is simple but useful for getting the most out of the motherboards features.

The System Information tab displays the CPU frequency, CPU details and motherboard specifics.

Smart Bar provides a system volume control and a gain slider for the microphone port is handy. However, both these settings are accessible through the default Realtek control panel software that comes with the audio driver.

The heart of the software, and the reason most users will install it, is for the adjustments to the RGB LEDs. Both the heatsink LEDs and the LED strip near the audio hardware can be adjusted for colour and lighting pattern. Independent adjustment is not possible, however, so you will have to deal with the synchronisation of all the LED sections at the same time (including if you add an optional RGB strip).

The number of lighting patterns is limited and customisation options are pale in comparison to something like ASUS AURA, however, it still “does the job”.

H/W monitor provides a number of temperature, fan and voltage readouts as well as the ability to toggle fan control. Biostar misses a trick though by not offering full fan controls within the operating system like other motherboard vendors do.

The OC/OV tabs provide most power limit, voltage and overclocking options but not all options are present within the software, as you may expect. The UEFI will have to be returned to for the more advanced and obscure options.

Become a Patron!

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here