At Gamescom 2023, ASUS cooked up a lot of stuff which included 3 new motherboards carrying the Z790 chipset for the Team Blue supporters.
Leading the lineup is the apex of features and aesthetics – the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO.
The stealthy hues of the board set the stage for illumination with its polymo lighting adorning the I/O shroud while premium materials are built to exacting standards to provide a 20+1 teamed power stage with a 90A output rating, resulting in robust power delivered to the latest and most potent components.
On the other hand, the M.2 slots offer unparalleled storage capacity, encompassing 1x PCIe 5.0 and 4x PCIe 4.0 interfaces.
Turning to the rear, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports facilitate connections to high-speed accessories. The next-gen ROG SupremeFX audio, featuring ESS ES9218 Quad-DAC will provide quite an audio experience without investing in another standalone DAC.
The front panel accommodates a USB-C 20 Gbps connection, doubling as a power delivery source via Quick Charge 4+. Lastly, the provision of 3x Gen 2 ARGB LED headers and 1x conventional 4-pin lighting headers affords full control over lighting customization.
Remarkably, the board extends WiFi 7 support in the case of your premise also running a WiFi 7 router (and Windows 11, naturally) while wired connectivity is secured via the 2.5GbE port.
Installation is eased by the pre-mounted I/O shield, and the PCIe Slot Q-Release button and M.2 Q-Latch facilitate hassle-free component swapping.
Within the ROG realm, the ROG Strix Z790-A GAMING WIFI II commands attention with its black base and silver accents.
Balancing aesthetics and functionality, this board features 5 M.2 slots, each concealed by a dedicated heatsink. Totaling 12 USB ports, a substantial VRM cooling solution, and an unconventional white-coated WiFi-Q antenna, the board offers an appealing blend of form and function.
Closing the trio is the TUF GAMING Z790-PRO WIFI, catering to those drawn to a militaristic or minimalist design, prioritizing accessible features.
Noteworthy is the front panel’s USB-C 20Gbps port, accommodating USB PD 3.0. Additionally, the board boasts WiFi Q-Antenna inclusion, providing out-of-the-box access to high-speed WiFi 6E connectivity at this price point.
Shared New Features
While each board has its distinct role, they collectively introduce a range of features, including:
- AI Overclocking: Dynamically adjusts power allocation for optimal performance
- AEMP II Profile: Curated in-house memory profiles for DDR5 boards
- DIY Friendly: Streamlines the PC building experience.
