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While AMD continues to advance in the processor market, Intel strives to maintain its competitive edge with frequent releases and optimized chipset designs. The Z490 chipset, designed for Intel’s 10th generation “Comet Lake” processors, is a testament to this effort. ASUS, a leading motherboard manufacturer, has introduced the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming, a high-end motherboard built on this new chipset. This review will delve into its features and assess its suitability for demanding users.

alt text: ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming motherboard overview, showcasing its sleek design and RGB lighting.

Design and Aesthetics

The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming, though not ASUS’s flagship motherboard, embodies the ROG brand’s commitment to quality and meticulous design. The board boasts an attractive aesthetic, highlighted by the integrated Aura Sync RGB lighting. Three distinct zones, two on the I/O shroud and one on the chipset heatsink, showcase customizable lighting effects. While similar to the lighting found on the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming, the chipset heatsink’s illuminated ROG logo adds a unique touch.

The motherboard also includes thoughtful accessories such as stickers, a keychain, LED power cables, a Wi-Fi antenna, and even a cooling fan, demonstrating ASUS’s attention to detail and user experience.

Performance and Features

The ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming targets professional users and enthusiasts. Its robust feature set justifies its premium price point. The large aluminum heatsinks covering the MOSFETs, complete with nickel-plated copper heat pipes, ensure efficient heat dissipation, even without an active fan. These heatsinks extend down to the chipset, seamlessly integrating with the heatsinks for the two M.2 slots, creating a visually appealing and functional design.

alt text: Close-up of the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming's VRM heatsink, highlighting its robust construction and heat pipe integration.

Beneath the heatsinks lies a 14+2 power phase design, controlled by an ASP1405I PWM controller, ensuring ample power delivery for even the demanding Intel Core i9 10900K processor. The board supports up to 128GB of RAM across four DIMM slots, with speeds reaching up to 4600MHz. Three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, two of which are reinforced, offer flexible configuration options (x16/x8/x8 or x8/x8/+4) alongside three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. While AMD has embraced PCIe 4.0, the Z490 chipset remains limited to PCIe 3.0.

alt text: The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming's rear I/O panel, showcasing its extensive connectivity options, including USB ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and audio jacks.

The SupremeFX audio solution, a mainstay of ASUS motherboards, features the S1220A codec, albeit without the usual gold plating. Software enhancements like Sonic Studio III, Virtual Mixer, Sonic Radar III, and DTS Unbound provide a comprehensive audio experience.

Connectivity

The rear I/O panel is well-equipped, offering HDMI 1.4b and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs. Ten USB ports are available, including a dedicated USB port and BIOS reset button, two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (three Type-A, one Type-C). Standard 3.5mm audio jacks and an S/PDIF optical output cater to audio needs. Networking is handled by an Intel I225-V 2.5G LAN controller and an AX201 Wi-Fi 6 adapter with two antennas.

alt text: A closer look at the ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming's chipset heatsink, featuring the illuminated ROG logo and sleek design.

Conclusion

The ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming, with its premium features and robust design, offers a solid foundation for high-end 10th generation Intel builds. While not a budget-friendly option, its comprehensive feature set and performance capabilities make it a compelling choice for users seeking to maximize the potential of their Intel Core i9 processors. The inclusion of various accessories and the attention to detail further enhance its value proposition. If you’re aiming for top-tier performance and are willing to invest, the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming is a worthy contender.