ROG Z890 motherboard guide: meet the new contenders for your next gaming rig
Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors have arrived, and these CPUs are ready to unlock a new tier of PC gaming experiences. To make sure that there’s a Z890 motherboard for every gamer, we’ve prepped a complete series of boards for Intel’s latest chips. Models range from the large-and-in-charge ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme to the svelte Mini-ITX ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi, with plentiful options in between.
It’s not just the CPUs that are new with the Z890 platform. We’re marking the occasion with all-new motherboard features that accelerate your performance and streamline your build process. There's a lot to cover: we’re debuting ASUS AI Advisor, a natural-language build assistant powered by AI. AEMP III, NitroPath DRAM Technology, and DIMM Fit unleash your DDR5 memory kit. NPU Boost provides one-click overclocking of the integrated NPU in your Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPU for accelerated AI performance. ROG M.2 PowerBoost lets us offer more M.2 slots on a single motherboard than ever before. On top of all that, there’s Thunderbolt 5, WiFi 7, and new PC DIY features to discuss.
There’s a new socket in town
Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPUs slot into a new socket: LGA 1851. You’ll need an 800 Series motherboard to use one of these chips, and a Z890 motherboard specifically to take advantage of CPU overclocking.
Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors bring a wealth of next-gen improvements, starting with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) built to quickly and efficiently handle neural network workloads. With peak theoretical performance of 13 TOPS, this NPU ensures you have nimble performance for AI right out of the box.
To help you do even more with the integrated NPU, ASUS Z890 motherboards feature NPU Boost. This BIOS feature overclocks the NPU, increasing performance in AI-powered apps and features by up to 24%* so that you can freely explore, dream, and create.
As you look across our Z890 motherboards, you’ll see a wealth of connectivity options: abundant USB ports, high-speed networking, plentiful M.2 slots, and more. The expanded I/O provided by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors and the latest chipset makes it possible. Up to 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes and increased PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset enable us to offer you even more options for connecting hardware to your new system.
Ready for your advanced AI PC
Modern GPUs can wield advanced AI tech to accelerate your gaming experiences, and our Z890 motherboards prepare you for everything AI has to offer. They’re armed with PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and support for high-performance DDR5 RAM, and they offer the options you need for constructing a spacious and speedy storage array. Since many AI workflows can leverage the power of multiple graphics cards working in tandem, the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme and ROG Maximus Z890 Apex include a pair of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots that can be run in an x8/x8 configuration.
But an AI PC doesn’t just run AI apps and assistants. It uses AI (and similar technologies) behind the scenes to streamline everything about how you use your PC. For our Z890 series, we’ve harnessed the power of AI to give you a dedicated assistant that’s always available to answer your questions: ASUS AI Advisor.
Owners of compatible ASUS motherboards can interact with this AI-powered technology using natural language to learn more about their hardware. For DIY beginners, it can provide easy-to-understand explanations of one-click optimization features like AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II, and for seasoned PC-building veterans, it can offer guidance and instructions on the latest features offered by ASUS.***
The smart controls available with ASUS Z890 motherboards allow you to optimize the performance of your PC with just one click.
- AI Overclocking: For builders looking to easily optimize their CPU, we offer AI Overclocking. Powered by exhaustive research and characterization of the performance potential of actual CPUs in our testing labs, this tool boosts CPU clocks with just one click. AI Overclocking’s sophisticated intelligence also monitors the efficiency of your CPU cooler and changes in the operating environment of your system to tune its parameters over time for the best performance with your system’s unique set of components.
- AI Cooling II: Our intelligent tech stands ready to optimize your cooling, as well. AI Cooling II gives you an easy tool for getting effective airflow under load and quiet operation during light tasks, even for builders who opt for higher-RPM case fans. It uses CPU monitoring information and data from a brief stress test to calculate the lowest fan speed required to effectively cool your system — while minimizing noise levels. This fan control system can reduce system fan noise by up to 5.7dB under sustained loads.
- AI Networking II: Through AI Networking II, your AI PC can optimize network settings to ensure smooth online gameplay, uninterrupted creativity, and seamless sharing. Integrated into the Armoury Crate app, AI Networking II uses AI-enhanced identification and boost technology to ensure faster and smarter network optimization. The new Traffic Monitor feature tracks your current WiFi channel usage and makes it easy to switch to a less-congested channel.
New tools to unleash your DDR5 memory kit
For enthusiasts chasing the highest memory overclocks, we’re deploying a revolutionary DRAM slot design in three of our Z890 motherboards. Available on the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme, ROG Maximus Z890 Hero, ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, our new NitroPath DRAM Technology makes new tiers of memory speeds possible.
When it comes to memory, there are some new kits on the block that are making headlines. This new variety of DIMM, called Clock Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM), features an integrated clock driver on the memory stick itself for improved reliability and stability at high memory speeds.
Perhaps this new CUDIMM tech offers the right stuff for your build, but you’re concerned about what the process of optimizing these new kits will look like. ROG Z890 motherboards make sure the process is easy with ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile III (AEMP III). This advanced firmware feature empowers you to achieve unparalleled memory performance with cutting-edge CUDIMM memory. Through a two-phase comprehensive tuning process, AEMP III first optimizes the clock driver and then the memory frequency. This results in the best balance between performance and stability, even at cutting-edge speeds of DDR5-8000 or higher.**
For builders who choose traditional UDIMM memory, AEMP II profiles make it easy to optimize memory performance, even with PMIC-restricted memory modules that do not provide an XMP or EXPO profile. Additionally, AEMP II lets you optimize complex memory configurations that include mixed brands and dies, provided the modules share the same capacity. This lets you expand memory capacity easily and still achieve fine-tuned performance.
We’re also debuting a new BIOS feature that streamlines the process of fine-tuning memory kits for stability: DIMM Fit. This ASUS-exclusive BIOS runs a precise analysis to optimize performance for compatibility and system stability. Because memory testing takes time, the process can take hours instead of minutes. But if you’re close to memory optimization nirvana at your desired clock speeds and timings, or if you’re not quite getting the experience that you’re looking for with an XMP profile, DIMM Fit can help you find an additional bump in stability so that you can achieve sustained performance.
Thunderbolt 5 makes a splashy entrance
Bandwidth needs are on the rise. Whether you’re connecting external storage, multiple peripherals, or one or more displays, you need versatile ports armed with next-gen bandwidth.
That’s what you’ll get with Thunderbolt 5. Appearing for the first time in desktop motherboards with Z890, Thunderbolt 5 supports up to 80Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth, and up to 120Gbps with Bandwidth Boost for the best display experience. Thunderbolt 5 ports can support up to three 8K displays at 60Hz with DSC, and it’s compliant with USB4 V2 for wide interoperability. Daisy-chaining support allows you to connect up to five devices per port.
You’ll find a pair of onboard Thunderbolt 5 ports on the decked-out ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme. If you like what Thunderbolt 5 has to offer, but you have your eye on another Z890 motherboard, you can outfit your PC with two Thunderbolt 5 ports using our ThunderboltEX 5 add-in card. Three mini DisplayPort IN ports allow you to use the ThunderboltEX 5 to drive external displays, and it’s ready to charge your devices, too. It supports up to 100W (20V/5A) with Flexible Quick Charge.
Next-gen networking with WiFi 7
WiFi 7 has arrived, and it brings a generational leap forward. Compared to WiFi 6, WiFi 7 is up to 4.8X times faster thanks to tech like 320MHz channels on the 6GHz band and 4K QAM. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) allows devices to connect simultaneously on multiple bands for faster speeds and increased reliability.
If you’re ready to set up your desktop PC for next-level wireless networking, you’ll need a WiFi 7 router and a WiFi 7 motherboard. Every ROG Z890 board offers WiFi 7 support. Offering link speeds up to 5.8Gbps with MLO, 4K QAM, and access to 320MHz channels, these WiFi 7 motherboards give you a premium wireless networking experience.
These boards also include our ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna and a new ASUS-exclusive software feature that makes it easy to get optimal networking performance. With circuit optimizations to the PCB and enhanced inner pin connectors, the WiFi Q-Antenna delivers exceptional signal throughput for the 5GHz and 6GHz bands. Easy functions in Armoury Crate help you get the most out of this directional antenna. Direction Finder detects signal strength and identifies the ideal positioning for your antenna in just a few steps, while Fast Check gives you a quick way to check signal strength and ensure you’re getting the best connection. With the new Traffic Monitor feature, you’ll be able to track current utilization of WiFi channels across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Then, you can use Channel Switch to hop over to a less congested channel for improved network performance.
Install more M.2 SSDs with ROG M.2 PowerBoost
Today’s M.2 SSDs are available with more gigabytes per stick than ever, but your storage needs are likely growing, too. AAA games often demand a sizeable chunk of storage array real estate, even if your tastes tend toward games with smaller install sizes, it’s not hard to fill up a couple SSDs with a respectably sized game library.
These trends might mean you’re not only looking at the speed of a motherboard’s M.2 slots, but the raw number of M.2 slots it offers. Through ROG M.2 PowerBoost, we’re now able to offer up to seven M.2 slots on a single motherboard. Available on the ROG Maximus Z890 motherboards and the ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, this feature uses an onboard 12V to 3.3V converter to power the PCIe 5.0 slots, allowing the most demanding drives to pull from a stable pool of power.
No matter how many drives you install, ROG M.2 PowerBoost helps ensure stable operation under high workloads. With plentiful power on tap, your system can maintain a high level of performance.
ROG Z890 motherboards make building a PC easier than ever
Some folks have the impression that building a PC is a difficult process, but the truth is that it’s far more straightforward than many people think — and it’s getting even easier with our Z890 motherboards.
It starts with sweeping changes to the BIOS interface. We’re bumping up the resolution of our BIOS interface to 1920×1080. With this change, you’ll be able to see more content at a glance, making it easier to survey the available settings and find the ones you need. Perhaps even more valuable to new PC builders, the BIOS Q-Dashboard interface helps bridge the gap between settings in the BIOS and the physical layout of your new motherboard. It gives you a perspective view of your exact motherboard model right inside of BIOS with the vital components and connections neatly labeled. These visual associations help newer PC builders become familiar with their new hardware and the functionality of their motherboard.
We’re also making it easier to toggle ASUS EZ Flash or select a boot device with ASUS MyHotKey. This BIOS feature lets you adjust the functionality of the F3 and F4 buttons during system boot so that you can easily update your BIOS version or select an alternate boot device.
Installing and replacing graphics cards is getting simpler, too. Our new PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim mechanism lets you remove a graphics card without releasing a latch or even pushing a button. Start by pressing on the motherboard with one hand to prevent it from moving while you detach the graphics card. Grip the graphics card at the left side (close to its I/O bracket). Then, slightly tilt the card while pulling upward, and your graphics card will release from the PCIe slot.
To help you easily install M.2 drives of varying lengths, we’re deploying the new M.2 Q-Slide in select motherboards. It includes a latching mechanism that slides along a track to securely hold your drive in place. We’ve also refreshed our tried-and-true tool-free M.2 Q-Latch system for compatibility with drives of various lengths.
We’re also making it just as easy to install an M.2 heatsink as it is to install the drive itself. Our ROG Z890 motherboards feature the M.2 Q-Release heatsink for the primary drive slot. The mechanism varies from model to model, but none of the options require a screwdriver or a tiny, easy-to-drop screw.
Keeping your hardware drivers updated helps ensure the smooth operation of your new PC. But unless you’re going out and checking for new drivers on a regular basis, it’s easy to miss an update. To help this problem, we’re debuting ASUS DriverHub. This one-stop solution streamlines the process of managing ASUS drivers and utilities to ensure your system stays up-to-date and optimized. For convenience, users are invited to install ASUS DriverHub after OS installation, and it’s also readily available as a direct download from our product site.
ROG Maximus motherboards carve new territory
For cutting-edge gaming hardware, ROG Maximus motherboards are your first choice. For years, these boards have been paving the way for the rest of the industry. Almost all our key motherboard innovations, like AI Overclocking, made their debut in ROG Maximus motherboards.
But it’s not just gamers who gravitate to ROG Maximus motherboards. Their top-shelf connectivity, robust power solutions, premium cooling, and meticulous engineering makes them compelling options for professional overclockers chasing new world records, creators building advanced AI PCs, game developers needing systems that shift effortlessly between workstation muscle and all-out gaming performance, and more.
ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme
The ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme makes an undeniable claim for itself as one of the best Z890 motherboards you can buy. A flagship motherboard in every sense of the word, this is the Z890 motherboard for those who dare to want it all.
Ready to push an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) CPU to its limits? The ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme will take you there. The board features an 8-layer PCB with 2-oz copper layers for elevated signal integrity. Its robust VRM architecture gives you a rock-solid foundation with 24+1+2+2 power stages, 10K metallic capacitors, solid-pin connectors, and high-permeability MicroFine alloy chokes.
Premium cooling options keep your PC humming under demanding workloads. Beefy heatsinks keep the VRMs and chipsets operating comfortably, while plentiful headers for chassis fans and AIO liquid CPU coolers put you in command of your PC’s airflow. To unleash your system’s primary SSD, the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme keeps it cool with the 3D VC M.2 Heatsink. A 3D vapor chamber and extended heat pipes allow for enhanced heat exchange across multiple chambers, making this heatsink capable of handling even top-end PCIe 5.0 SSDs with higher power consumption.
DRAM slots equipped with NitroPath DRAM Technology stand ready for the most advanced DDR5 kits on the market. This motherboard offers four onboard M.2 slots, a whopping three of which are wired for PCIe 5.0 SSDs, and you can easily install two more PCIe 4.0 SSDs with the ROG Q-DIMM.2 add-in card. Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots are ready for the best graphics cards of today and tomorrow. For enthusiasts with workflows that can be accelerated via a pair of GPUs working in tandem, these slots can run in an x8/x8 configuration.
Let’s talk connectivity. On this motherboard’s rear I/O panel, you’ll find dual onboard Thunderbolt 5 ports, a USB 20Gbps Type-C port, and a total of 7 USB 10Gbps ports. With headers that can support up to ten more USB ports on the front panel of your chassis, you’ll run out of desk space for your peripherals before you run out of spots to plug them in. An Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet port and a Marvell AQtion 10Gb Ethernet port give you stunningly fast connections to your local network and network-attached devices. But with premium WiFi 7 support, you might not even feel the need to rely on wired networking options.
For unrivaled gaming immersion, the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme offers a SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound audio solution with integrated amplifiers and op-amps. The audio circuit design uses premium capacitors, interference shielding, and discrete traces for the left and right channels. Auto impedance detection lets you use even high-impedance audiophile headphones and get crystal-clear, distortion-free output. An ESS ES9219 Quad DAC pumps top-notch audio to the front-panel output with support for 32-bit/384 kHz playback, perfect for plugging in a high-end headset.
A board this premium has earned its right to a few luxuries. Styled in classic, refined black and charcoal hues, the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme makes a stunning statement. We layered a mirrored finish atop the wide chipset heatsink and inset across its face an expanse of silver sheen complemented by intricate logo embossing.
Over the years, we’ve offered many ways to personalize the look of your motherboard, but the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme offers our most customizable option yet. This motherboard puts you in charge with a 5-inch LCD panel across the I/O shroud. Made with Corning glass for unparalleled surface display quality, this panel is ready to display exclusive ROG animations, real-time hardware information, and wealth of customizable options available through Armoury Crate.
| ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme | |
|---|---|
| Size | EATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM slots, max. 192GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | Onboard 2 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) ROG Q-DIMM.2 card 2 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet 1 x Marvell® AQtion 10Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4082 ESS® ES9219 Quad DAC |
| Rear I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C®) 2 x Thunderbolt™ 5 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 7 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 2 x USB Type-C®) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C® with up to 60W PD/QC4+)* 1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers support 4 additional USB 5Gbps ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports |
| Aura | 2 x Gen 2 ARGB headers 1 x 6-pin Gen 2 ARGB header to support two Gen 2 ARGB headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 2 x 4-pin Radiator Fan headers 2 x W_PUMP+ headers 1 x WB_SENSOR header |
ROG Maximus Z890 Apex
When professional overclockers go shopping for a motherboard to assist their ambitions for record-breaking memory performance, they often turn first to our Apex motherboards. Precision-engineered for supreme overclocking, the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex carries the legacy of the series forward into a new generation.
A key weapon in this motherboard’s arsenal is its memory layout. By designing it with only two DDR5 DIMM slots, we’re able to configure it with the shortest possible trace lengths to put beastly RAM multipliers at the fingertips of the world’s best OCers.
Exceptional power delivery plays a key role, as well. Raw power enters the board through 8+8 ProCool II power connectors with solid pins. A robust VRM architecture with 22+1+2+2 power stages rises to the challenge of supplying a top-end CPU while maintaining exemplary thermal performance.
The ROG Maximus Z890 Apex might prove to be the favorite Z890 motherboard for overclocking enthusiasts, but it’ll also find devotees among those who favor a dazzling white aesthetic for their builds. From its cobble-gray PCB to its polished metallic accents, this board offers sleek contours and a predominantly silver palette.
| ROG Maximus Z890 Apex | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 2 x DIMM slots, max. 96GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | Onboard 1 x 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) DIMM.2 2 x 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (USB Type-C®) 1 x USB 20Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C®) 4 x USB 10Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®) 1 x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers support 4 additional USB 5Gbps ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 2 x 4-pin Full Speed Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header 1 x Extra Flow Fan header |
ROG Maximus Z890 Hero
Loaded with premium features and built for unbridled performance, the ROG Maximus Z890 Hero takes the DNA of the bleeding-edge ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme and brings it to a wider audience.
It starts with size: the Extreme demands a beefy chassis with its extra-large E-ATX form factor, while the ATX-sized Hero offers broader compatibility. A robust power solution with 22+1+2+2 power stages delivers unshakeable performance. Massive heatsinks integrated with the I/O cover, joined by a U-shaped heatpipe, and connected to the power stages with high-conductivity thermal pads keep the VRMs cool under pressure.
Four DIMM slots equipped with NitroPath DRAM Technology stand ready to accelerate your gaming ambitions with a high-speed DDR5 memory kit. Thanks to ROG M.2 PowerBoost, this board offers six total M.2 slots, three of which are wired for PCIe 5.0 bandwidth.
Innovative design features make building with the ROG Maximus Z890 Hero an easy, streamlined experience. Installing and removing a graphics card is hassle-free with PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, while the new M.2 Q-Latch, M.2 Q-Release, and M.2 Q-Slide mechanisms take the fuss out of installing storage.
Robust connectivity options abound on this high-end board. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are the star attractions on the rear I/O panel, and they’re flanked by nine USB ports, one Type-C and eight Type-A. An internal header supports a front-panel USB 20Gbps port with up to 60W Power Delivery / Quick Charge 4+. For networking, you’ll have a WiFi 7 and a 5GB Ethernet port at your fingertips — and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, too.
As with the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme, this motherboard offers immersive audio with a SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound audio solution with integrated amplifiers and op-amps. Anyone who games primarily with a headset will appreciate the ESS ES9219 Quad DAC, which pumps top-notch audio to the front-panel output with support for 32-bit/384 kHz playback.
A blend of predominantly black and charcoal hues imbues this motherboard with understated luxury. Metallic embossing and refined textures provide subtle accents while the Polymo Lighting II effect lighting module built into the I/O shroud provides bold, dynamic RGB illumination for the ROG logo.
| ROG Maximus Z890 Hero | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM slots, max. 192GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or x8/x4/x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (@x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | 1 x 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 3 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet 1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4082 ESS® ES9219 Quad DAC |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 5 x USB 10Gbps ports (4 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps (supports USB Type-C® with up to 60W PD/QC4+) 1 x USB 10Gbps (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers support 4 additional USB 5Gbps ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports USB Type-C® power delivery output: max. 5V/3A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ headers |
ROG Strix Z890 motherboards cater to gamers everywhere
The latest ROG Strix boards take the series to new heights. WiFi 7 appeared in select last-gen ROG Strix models; now it’s a core feature of every option. Build-streamlining niceties like PCIe Q-Release Slim first appeared in our highest-end motherboards, but now it’s offered by every ROG Strix Z890 motherboard. You’ll find robust power designs and comprehensive cooling across the series, and more than enough connectivity for your full battlestation. For mainstream builders who desire a gaming-first motherboard with plentiful connectivity, rock-solid performance, and undeniable style, the ROG Strix Z890 motherboard family has it all.
To accommodate a wide variety of tastes and preferences, ROG Strix Z890 motherboards are available in a variety of sizes and aesthetic options. Whether you’re interested in a space-saving Mini-ITX build, a luscious white-themed PC, or a bold gaming rig draped in classic black, there’s an ROG Strix board that’s perfect for you.
ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi
We’ll start with the highest-performing option in the family: the ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi. (Curious about the naming conventions for our different motherboard families? Click here for a quick run-down.) This feisty board packs more punch than you might expect, allowing it to trade blows with some of the most powerful Z890 motherboards we offer.
It starts with a robust power architecture with 18+1+2+2 stages, the beefiest available in the Strix series. Don’t hesitate to pair the ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi with a top-shelf Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU. The board’s 8-layer PCB with 2-oz copper layers provides elevated signal integrity, and it’s ready for a blazing-fast memory kit with NitroPath DRAM Tech.
The ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi is in a category of its own when it comes to M.2 support. You’ll find no less than seven onboard M.2 slots, each with their own substantial cooling solution. Three of them are wired for the latest PCIe 5.0 SSDs. That astonishing increase in M.2 slots over last-gen comes courtesy of ROG M.2 PowerBoost, and it ensures you’ll have room to expand your gaming library for years to come. You might forget where to find the “uninstall” button in Steam before you run out of slots for more M.2 SSDs. Our new M.2 Q-Latch and M.2 Q-Slide make it easy to install drives, too, and you’ll enjoy the tool-free M.2-Release Heatsink for the primary slot.
The ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi is also one of the first Strix boards to get the eye-catching Polymo Lighting design on its I/O shroud. Once found solely on cutting-edge Maximus boards, this microstructural array of light and color features two layers of RGB lighting that work in tandem to display a luminous ROG design.
This premium motherboard is a standout option for anyone with a need for high-end networking. WiFi 7 support lets you take advantage of all the next-gen features of the new wireless standard, and the included WiFi Q-Antenna makes it easy to get a great connection. Wired networking enthusiasts will appreciate how the 5G Ethernet port opens a high-bandwidth throughway to your router.
| ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or x8/x4/x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (supports x4 mode) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 3 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Realtek 5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 9 x USB 10Gbps ports (7 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C® + 1 x USB Type-C® with up to 30W PD Fast-charge) 3 x USB 5Gbps ports (3 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 3 x USB 2.0 headers (support 6 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 5 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers |
ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi
Perhaps you love the style of the ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, but don’t have immediate plans to take advantage of its more premium features. You’re shopping for a motherboard with a more mainstream tool kit — and that’s what you’ll get with the ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi and ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi.
The ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi is primed and ready for fast DDR5 memory kits, PCIe 5.0 M.2 drives, and high-end graphics cards. It doesn’t have quite as many USB ports as the ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi, but makes up for it with a pair of versatile onboard Thunderbolt 4 ports. It retains WiFi 7 support for speedy next-gen wireless connections, but drops one rung down the ladder to a 2.5G Ethernet port. And while it doesn’t offer quite as many M.2 slots as its bigger brother, its five M.2 slots will satisfy most gamers’ needs for speedy storage.
In other ways, the ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi is equal to any board in the Strix series. It features a classic black style set off with head-turning Polymo Lighting on the I/O shroud. It serves up premium audio with both an ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 and a Savitech SV3H712 AMP. It includes a host of features that streamline your build process and make any troubleshooting easy and quick. And you’ll have access to not only our one-click optimization tools like AI Overclocking, but also our advanced BIOS features like DIMM Flex that give you granular control over your new hardware.
| ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or x8/x4/x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (supports x4 mode) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 6 x USB 10Gbps ports (4 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C® + 1 x USB Type-C® with up to 30W PD Fast-charge) 4 x USB 5Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) 2 x USB 2.0 port(s) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) 2 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 5 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers |
ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi
Like the many “-A” ROG Strix boards that came before it, the ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi gives builders a striking different visual aesthetic for their next PC while retaining the identity of the ROG Strix series. This motherboard stands ready to serve as the foundation for your white-themed build with its striking white and silver I/O shroud and heatsinks. This bold colorway even extends to the motherboard’s cobble-gray PCB, which coordinates with the color theme while providing a subtle visual contrast. These surfaces provide a sweeping expanse of hardware that’s uniquely equipped to capture the glow from the Polymo Lighting module.
The ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi complements its impeccable good looks with a feature set that goes toe-to-toe with the ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi. Plentiful and speedy M.2 slots set you up for a cutting-edge storage array, powerful optimization tools get your system primed to perform with just a few clicks, and versatile next-gen connectivity is poised to give you a great everyday experience with your new PC.
| ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@ x16) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (supports x4 mode) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C®) 6 x USB 10Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C® with up to 30W PD/PPD Fast-charge) 2 x USB 5Gbps ports (2 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) 1 x USB 5Gbps headers (support 2 USB 5Gbps ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 5 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers |
ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi
For many builders, a full-sized desktop PC just isn’t an option. Whether they’re planning a dorm room rig, assembling a media center PC, or simply maximizing desk space, they need a PC with a small footprint.
The ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi gives these builders a motherboard that goes small on size but big on performance. This Mini-ITX marvel is small enough to comfortably hold with one hand, but it packs an outsized feature set in those small dimensions. Its innovative thermal design, including robust VRM heatsinks with a dedicated fan, an L-shaped backplate, and a fan for the M.2 and chipset heatsink, make sure you can get the performance you desire in a space-saving form factor.
This motherboard is ready for a pair of speedy DDR5 memory sticks, and its PCIe 5.0 x16 slot will accommodate the most powerful GPU you can fit into your SFF case. Two onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots await your storage drives, and it’s ready for fast networking with WiFi 7 support and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port.
Installing M.2 drives in a highly compact system isn’t always easy, especially once everything is all assembled. With the ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi, we’re debuting a new mechanism to simplify the process of installing drives and mounting their heatsinks: the M.2 Q-Release Duo. This tool holds the drives in a vertical orientation and opens at an angle so that you can easily pop in a drive. The mechanism clasps the drives tightly when you’re done, holding the side-mounted heatsinks in place to keep your SSDs operating at comfortable temperatures.
Two special additions make sure the compact ROG Strix Z890-I motherboard offers everything you need for your battlestation. The space-saving ROG FPS card gives you easy access to front-panel headers, 2 SATA ports, a header enabling CPU overvoltage, and a PCIe mode switch for legacy expansion cards.
The second is the ROG Strix Hive II. This external control interface neatly addresses common challenges PC builders face when putting together a compact Mini-ITX machine — and goes a step further by putting vital motherboard features right at your fingertips.
The Mini-ITX form factor doesn’t provide much space for a high-end audio solution, so we (very literally) thought outside the box. The Hive houses top-shelf audio hardware with its ESS® Sabre 9260Q DAC. An integrated volume knob with press-to-mute functionality keeps you in control.
Premium audio isn’t the only trick up the ROG Strix Hive II’s sleeve. It offers two USB 10Gbps ports, one USB Type-A and one USB Type-C, to give you an easy way to connect external storage and peripherals. It includes our intuitive Q-LED array so that you can quickly diagnose build problems. And you’ll even find a physical power button for your PC and a FlexKey button, as well. Building, updating, and troubleshooting a Mini-ITX PC has never been easier.
| ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 2 x DIMM, Max. 96GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@ x16) |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) |
| Networking | WiFi 7 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4050 ESS® SABRE 9260Q DAC |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (2 x USB Type-C®) 1 x USB 20Gbps (1 x USB Type-C®) 3 x USB 10Gbps (3 x Type-A) 1 x USB 5Gbps (1 x Type-A) 2 x USB 2.0 (2 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | Front: Total 3 ports 1 x USB 20Gbps type-C connector 1 x USB 5G header supports 2 additional USB 5G ports HIVE II: Total 2 ports 2 x USB 10Gbps ports (1 x USB Type-C®+ 1 x Type-A) FPS II: Total 3 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 3 additional USB 2.0 ports |
| Aura | 2 x Addressable Gen 2 headers |
| Cooling | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 1 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x Extra Flow Fan header |
Even more options for your Z890 build
ROG motherboards give you standout performance and style for your next-gen Intel-powered gaming rig. Yet these boards are just one part of our full Z890 motherboard family. To meet our complete Z890 lineup, including our options from TUF Gaming, ProArt, and Prime, click here.
*NPU Boost support may depend on installed CPU model. The result was tested with an Intel Arrow Lake QS Q2HA Ultra 9 285K processor, ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme motherboard, GeForce RTX™ 4090 24GB graphics card, and XPG Lancer DDR5 memory modules (model AX5U6000C4016G).
** Results may vary according to individual system specifications, including memory kit and motherboard model. Currently, only 2-DIMM configurations are supported. Results are based on a test with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and 2x16GB SK Hynix DDR5-6400 Clocked Unbuffered DIMM RAM, model HMCG78AHBCA326N.
***Availability of ASUS AI Advisor may vary by region.
