Asus Z390 motherboards: Everything we know about tech specs, price and release date

With Intel’s 9th Gen processors recently revealed, manufacturers have been scrambling to ship new motherboard that are compatible with the upgraded chipset. Asus is one of the first to reveal its motherboards, with the new Asus Z390 range boasting revolutionary new features.

Included in the new Asus Z390 lineup are the Prime, TUF Gaming, ROG Strix and ROG Maximus XI series. That might be quite a few motherboards to wrap your head around, but Asus has stressed it only really has two main categories to differentiate the various models: non-gaming and gaming.

Of course, that probably isn’t enough to help you determine which motherboard to buy, so we’ve broken the range down and listed all the new features below to make it easier for you.

Related: Intel 9th Gen CPU

Asus Z390 motherboard: New features

The new Asus Z390 motherboards have a few impressive feature on show. One of the other exciting additions is AI Overclocking. This intelligent software can evaluate the quality of the installed processor and then work out an estimated voltage frequency for your rig. By doing this, it should avoid under-powering your computer or frying your components.

MEMOK! II and OptiMem II also feature in the Asus Z390 motherboard range. The former is exclusive to Asus hardware, which allows users to fix DRAM-related system boot failures with just a press of a button, while the latter helps to maintain signal integrity for more efficient memory overclocking.

Fan Xpert 4 also returns to Asus motherboards, which smartly alters the speed of the fan when it senses that your Asus graphics card is starting to overheat. This ensures all your components are kept completely cool.

Related: Nvidia RTX 2080

Asus Z390 motherboard: Prime

Labelled as “the foundation of the Asus motherboard”, the Prime series is the most basic of the Z390 bunch. Aimed at day-to-day users instead of gamers, the Prime offerings are almost certainly going to be the most budget-friendly Z390 motherboards available. 

Both the 8th and 9th Generation Intel CPUs will be supported. All the features above will be present too, including the new new AI Overclocking and the returning Fan Xpert 4.

The two Prime models are predictably both full-size ATX boards with little need to save space.

Device	Prime Z370-A	Prime Z370-A II
Chipset	Intel Z390	Intel Z390
Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket
Memory	DDR4 4133MHz, Dual Ch, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz, Dual Ch, Max. 64GB
Storage	2x M.2, 2x U.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2x M.2, 2x U.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s
USB	4x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 5x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), 6x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 6x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), 6x USB 2.0
LAN	Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN	Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN
Audio	Realtek ALC S1220A 8-Channel codec	Realtek ALC S1220A 8-Channel codec
Dimensions	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm

Asus Z390 motherboard: TUF Gaming

Motherboards can be intimidating components for beginner PC builders, especially since they can be so easy to break. TUF Gaming, meanwhile, prides itself on creating durable and dependable motherboards.

Following extensive work with various vendors, plugging components into the Asus Z390 TUF Gaming range is apparently as easy as slotting Lego together, making it the ideal motherboard for those who have never before dabbled with PC crafting.

Three motherboards feature here with the new Z390 chipset, all but one offering wireless connectivity straight out of the box. The TUF Z390M-Pro Gaming [Wi-Fi], meanwhile, is a micro-ATX motherboard. This means it has significantly smaller dimensions than the other options. 

And then there’s the TUF Z370-Plus Gaming II. This motherboard has the older Z370 chipset installed instead of the new Z390, but you’ll still fortunately be able to pair it with Intel’s 9th Gen CPU. Still, it will probably compensate for that with a more affordable price, which should be a boon for those who aren’t fussed about upgrading to a new processor. 

Related: Best Gaming CPU

Device	TUF Z370-Plus Gaming II	TUF Z390-Plus Gaming [Wi-Fi]	TUF Z390-PRO Gaming	TUF Z390M-Pro Gaming [Wi-Fi]
Chipset	Intel Z370	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390
Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket
Memory	DDR4 4000MHz,Dual Ch, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz,Dual Ch, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz,Dual Ch, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz,Dual Ch, Max. 64GB
Storage	2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s
USB	2x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 7x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 6x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 8x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 3x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 8x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 4x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 7x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 4x USB 2.0
Wireless	NA	Intel Wireless-AC 9560	NA	Intel Wireless-AC 9560
LAN	Intel I219-VGigabit LAN	Intel I219-VGigabit LAN	Intel I219-VGigabit LAN	Intel I219-VGigabit LAN
Audio	Realtek ALC887 8-channel* high-definition audio CODEC	Realtek S1200A 8-channel CODEC	Realtek S1200A 8-channel CODEC	Realtek S1200A 8-channel CODEC
Dimensions	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	mATX 244x244mm

Asus Z390 motherboard: ROG STRIX

This geared-up-for-gaming Asus Z390 motherboard range may be your best bet if you’ve already got a STRIX graphics card, as pairing the two together will unlock exclusive features. Of course, most other graphics cards will work here too, with the STRIX motherboards offering a potentially reasonably-priced option for gamers. 

Select Asus Z390 ROG motherboards will also boast GameFirst V. This new feature prioritises W-Fi connection for ROG systems, ensuring your computer has the best connection in the house. 

All but one of the motherboards have standard ATX dimensions, with the ROG STRIX Z390-I Gaming taking the Mini-ITX form – the smallest possible motherboard. Having such a compact build allows for more case space for upgrading, plus more air circulation to prevent components from getting hot and bothered. Expect a premium price in return though.

Device	ROG STRIX Z390-H Gaming	ROG STRIX Z390-F Gaming	ROG STRIX Z390-E Gaming	ROG STRIX Z390-I Gaming
Chipset	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390
Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket
Memory	DDR4 4133MHz 4x DIMM, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz 4x DIMM, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4133MHz 4x DIMM, Max. 64GB	DDR4 4500MHz 4x DIMM, Max. 64GB
Storage	2 x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2 x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2 x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gb/s	2 x M.2, 4x SATA 6Gb/s
USB	4x USB 3.1, gen 2, 5x USB 3.1 gen 1, 6x USB, 2.0	4x USB 3.1, gen 2, 5x USB 3.1 gen 1, 6x USB, 2.0	5x USB 3.1, gen 2, 4x USB 3.1 gen 1, 6x USB, 2.0	3x USB 3.1 gen 2, 5x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 4x USB 2.0
LAN	1x Intel Gb LAN	1x Intel Gb LAN	1x Intel Gb LAN	1x Intel Gb LAN
Audio	SupremeFX S1220A 8-ch CODEC	SupremeFX S1220A 8-ch CODEC	SupremeFX S1220A 8-ch CODEC	SupremeFX S1220A 8-ch CODEC
Dimensions	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	Mini ITX 170x170mm

Asus Z390 motherboard: ROG Maximus XI

The ROG Maximus XI range is the most feature-packed motherboard range in Asus Z390  line-up. They’re the most expensive as a result.

The ROG Maximus XI Extreme stands out as one of the most exciting motherboards here, featuring an advanced water cooling system, Game First V, Aquantia 5G LAN and even a LiveDash OLED screen that can be customised to display things like system temperature, fan speed and CPU frequency.

Every one of the motherboards in this range should be well equipped for high-end gaming, although don’t expect them to come cheap.

Device	ROG Maximus XI Gene	ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi)	ROG Maximus XI Code	ROG Maximus XI Formula	ROG Maximus XI Extreme
Chipset	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390	Intel Z390
Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket	LGA 1151 Socket
Memory	DDR4 4600MHz, max 64GB	DDR4 4400MHz, max 64GB	DDR4 4400MHz, max 64GB	DDR4 4400MHz, max 64GB	DDR4 4400MHz, max 64GB
Storage	4x M.2, 4 x SATA, 6Gbps	2x M.2, 6 x SATA, 6Gbps	2x M.2, 6 x SATA, 6Gbps	2 x M.2, 6 x SATA, 6Gbps	4 x M.2, 6 x SATA, 6Gbps
USB	5x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 8x 3.1 (Gen 1), 4 x USB 2.0	4x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 1x USB 3.1 (Gen 2) FCP, 4 x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), 6 x USB 2.0	5x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 10x 3.1 (Gen 1), 4 x USB 2.0	5x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 10x 3.1 (Gen 1), 4 x USB 2.0	4x USB 3.1 (Gen 2), 1x USB 3.1 (Gen 2) FCP, 10 x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), 4 x USB 2.0
LAN	1 x Intel, 4 x USB 2.0	1 x Intel Gb LAN	1x Intel Gb LAN	1 x Aquantia 5G LAN, 1x Intel Gb LAN	1 x Aquantia 5G LAN, 1x Intel Gb LAN
Audio	SupremeFX, S1220A 8 channel codec	SupremeFX, S1220 8 channel codec	SupremeFX, S1220 8 channel codec	SupremeFX, S1220 8 channel codec	SupremeFX, S1220 8 channel codec
Dimensions	mATX 244x226mm	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm	ATX 305x244mm

Asus Z390 motherboards: Prices

Exact UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed.

Related: Best GPU

Asus Z390 motherboards: release dates

Still TBC. All we know is that they will be launched at some point after Intel’s 9th gen CPUs hit the shelves on October 19.

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