The Intel Z390 PCH based motherboards are going to launch soon along with the 9th Generation processors. While we wait for them to hit the market, some reviewers have already got their hands on the upcoming motherboards, such as the guys over at PCEkspertTV who have posted the very first unboxing video of the ASUS Z390 motherboards.
ASUS Z390 Motherboards Leak Out in Unboxing Video – Includes The ROG STRIX Z390-I Gaming Mini ITX and PRIME Z390-A Motherboards
The motherboards that can be seen in the video are few of the many ASUS Z390 series products that will be available at launch. ASUS is aiming to launch at least 19 motherboards under the Z390 family which include the following:
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- ROG MAXIMUS XI APEX
- ROG MAXIMUS XI CODE
- ROG MAXIMUS XI EXTREME
- ROG MAXIMUS XI FORMULA
- ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO
- ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI)
- ROG STRIX Z390-E GAMING
- ROG STRIX Z390-F GAMING
- ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING
- ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING
- PRIME Z390-A
- PRIME Z390M-PLUS
- PRIME Z390-P
- TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING
- TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING (WI-FI)
- TUF Z390-PLUS GAMING
- TUF Z390-PLUS GAMING (WI-FI)
- TUF Z390-PRO GAMING
- Z390-DRAGON
But let’s focus on the two motherboards that were unboxed and are part of the ROG STRIX and PRIME series of products. The ASUS ROG STRIX series has historically been aimed mainly at core gamers and enthusiasts who want the best performance while the PRIME series is the designed based on mainstream user requirements. Both are very capable lineups and have great products in both segments.
ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I Gaming Motherboard
Starting with the ROG STRIX Z390-I Gaming motherboard, we can see and tell that this board will be featuring the mini-ITX form factor. We can definitely note some major design changes over the existing ROG STRIX Z370-I Gaming which includes a slightly bigger VRM heatsink, a more chunkier I/O cover with an additional heatsink for the phases underneath that and similarly, a longer M.2 heatsink.
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In terms of VRM, we are looking at a 10 Phase DIGI+ design that is delivered power through an 8-pin connector. The motherboard comes with the LGA 1151 (V2) socket which allows compatibility with new 9th Generation and older 8th Generation processors. There are two DIMM slots that allow for up to 32 GB memory capacity with speeds of up to 5000 MHz (O.C+).
Expansion capabilities include a single PCI-e 3.0 x16 slot, a single M.2 connector which is hidden under the M.2 heatsink. The heatsink provides cooling to both the M.2 storage device that will be used underneath it and the Z390 PCH. Storage options include four SATA III ports and there’s also a single front panel USB 3.1 Gen2 connector and a USB 3.0 front panel header. For those who want extra PCIe storage options, there’s a second M.2 slot on the backside of the motherboard which has been the case with Mini-ITX ROG STRIX motherboards for a while.
I/O on the motherboard include a Display Port, HDMI 2.0, two USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, three USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a single Ethernet LAN port, WIFI/Bluetooth 4.2 antenna connectors (2X), and a 7.1 channel HD audio panel.
ASUS PRIME Z390-A Motherboard
The ASUS PRIME Z390-A motherboard aims to be the flagship PRIME series motherboard and features an 8+1 phase DIGI+ PWM system. The motherboard has all the bells and whistles of mainstream aimed motherboards with a single 8-Pin power connector delivering juice to the motherboard. There are four DIMM slots that can support up to 64 GB of capacity with speeds rocking over the 4000 MHz mark.
Expansion slots include three PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots of which two are shielded by a metal bracing. There are also three PCI-e 3.0 x1 slots and dual M.2 slots. The motherboard has a single M.2 heatsink over the one located underneath the PCH. Talking about the heatsinks, the board comes with a silver and white color scheme which looks great. There are two aluminum heatsinks found over the VRMs which should do a fine job keeping them stable when running an unlocked 9th Gen processor.
Storage options include 6 SATA III ports, along with the USB 3.1 Gen2 and USB 3.0 front panel headers/connectors. I/O includes a PS/2 port, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, two USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, a single Ethernet LAN port, Display Port, HDMI, and a 7.1 channel HD audio jack. That’s it for the motherboards and we will make sure to keep you posted once more Z390 boards show up. You can learn more details about the Intel 9th Generation Core processor family and the flagship Core i9-9900K processor here.
