Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 7700K | Best Overall | ~$120-180 | 4.7/5 |
| Intel Core i5 6500 | Best Budget | ~$60-90 | 4.6/5 |
| Intel Core i7 6700K | Best Premium | ~$130-180 | 4.7/5 |
| Intel Core i5 7600K | Best for Gaming | ~$100-140 | 4.5/5 |
| Intel Core i3 7350K | Best Compact | ~$70-100 | 4.6/5 |
Intro
The ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming is one of Intel’s most beloved mid-range motherboards from the Skylake era. Its LGA1151 socket, solid VRM, and full overclocking support make it a platform worth squeezing every last drop from. especially now that 6th and 7th-gen Intel CPUs can be found at bargain prices. Whether you are refreshing an existing rig or building a budget gaming PC, choosing the right CPU for your Z170 Pro Gaming board is the single biggest performance decision you will make.
This guide covers the five best LGA1151 processors for the ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming, with picks across performance tiers so you can match your budget to your goals.
Top 5 Picks
1. Intel Core i7-6700K. Best Overall The i7-6700K is the undisputed champion for this board. Four cores, eight threads, a 4.0 GHz base clock, and an unlocked multiplier give you everything you need for smooth gaming and content creation. The Z170 Pro Gaming’s VRM handles sustained overclocks of 4.6-4.8 GHz with ease on reasonable cooling.
2. Intel Core i5-6600K. Best Value for Gamers For pure gaming, the i5-6600K punches nearly as hard as the i7-6700K at a fraction of the used-market price. Four cores, no hyperthreading, and a 3.5 GHz base clock that overclocks comfortably to 4.5 GHz on air cooling. Most current games do not tax more than four cores, making this the smartest buy for budget-conscious gamers.
3. Intel Core i7-7700K. Best Kaby Lake Upgrade If you want the absolute fastest chip this board can run, the 7th-gen i7-7700K offers a modest IPC improvement over Skylake and higher stock clocks. Requires a BIOS update before installation. Gaming performance edges out the i7-6700K by 5-8% in CPU-bottlenecked scenarios.
4. Intel Core i5-7600K. Kaby Lake Mid-Range The Kaby Lake refresh of the i5-6600K, the i5-7600K runs cooler and clocks slightly higher out of the box. A great option if you find one cheaply and want a minor bump over your existing Skylake i5 without spending big.
5. Intel Core i3-6320. Best Budget Pick For light gaming and everyday productivity on a tight budget, the locked i3-6320 delivers dual-core performance with hyperthreading at very low cost. It will not win any overclocking contests, but it keeps the lights on and leaves budget for a better GPU.
What to Look For
Socket Compatibility: The Z170 Pro Gaming uses LGA1151 (Skylake/Kaby Lake only). Do not attempt to install LGA1150 or LGA1200 processors. they are physically incompatible.
TDP and Cooling: The i7-6700K and i7-7700K are known for running hot, especially when overclocked. Budget at least for a quality 120mm AIO or a tower air cooler like the Noctua NH-D15 to keep thermals in check.
BIOS Version: For Kaby Lake (7th-gen) CPUs, you must update the BIOS to version 3805 or later before installing the chip. Do this with a supported 6th-gen CPU already in the board.
Unlocked vs. Locked: Z170 is an overclocking chipset. if you are not buying a K-series unlocked chip, you are leaving performance on the table. Stick to K-series for this board.
Memory Speed: Pair your CPU with DDR4-3000 or higher for best results. The Z170 Pro Gaming’s XMP support makes this straightforward.
Final Thoughts
The ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming remains a capable platform in 2026, and the used CPU market means you can assemble a very competent gaming rig for minimal outlay. The i7-6700K is the top pick if you want maximum headroom; the i5-6600K is the smart money choice for pure gaming value. Whichever route you take, update your BIOS first, pair the chip with fast DDR4, and invest in decent cooling. the Z170 Pro Gaming rewards a well-tuned build.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best CPU for the ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard?+
The Intel Core i7-6700K remains the top pick for the Z170 Pro Gaming. It is an unlocked LGA1151 chip that overclocks well on Z170, delivers strong quad-core performance, and pairs perfectly with the board's robust VRM. For budget builds, the i5-6600K is an excellent alternative with nearly equal gaming performance at a lower price.
Does the ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming support 7th-gen Kaby Lake CPUs?+
Yes, with a BIOS update the Z170 Pro Gaming supports Intel 7th-generation Kaby Lake processors such as the Core i7-7700K and i5-7600K. Check the ASUS support page to download the latest BIOS version before installing a Kaby Lake chip. Performance gains over 6th-gen Skylake chips are modest, typically 5-10% in gaming workloads.
How much RAM does the Z170 Pro Gaming support, and does the CPU matter?+
The ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming supports up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM across four DIMM slots, with speeds up to DDR4-3866 (OC). The CPU itself does not limit RAM capacity on this platform, but higher-end chips like the i7-6700K benefit more from faster dual-channel DDR4 kits, improving memory-bandwidth-sensitive game performance by a noticeable margin.