I've noticed the rules state each stage finishes at a different point through the month, but each stage itself says it runs for the whole month?

 

Also, is the z170 ln2 board allowed?

End dates at stages are fixed now. The LN2 boards are ruled out as non released hardware and ES, I think it is even mentioned explicitly they are not ok.

Thanks

 

Yes, I see that now, sorry must have missed it before.

gigabyte graphic card ?

No brand restriction on graphics card according to the rules