ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced four new Intel Z790 motherboards namely the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula, the Maximus Z790 Apex Encore, the Strix Z790-Gaming WiFi II, and the Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II.
These join the current three Z790 models – the Maximus Z790 Dark Hero, the Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II, and the TUF Gaming Z790-Pro WiFi. All seven motherboards support 14th gen, 13th gen, and 12th gen Intel Core processors with the LGA 1700 socket and include PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory support, and more.
ASUS ROG New Intel Z790 Motherboards
Next-level Bandwidth with WiFi 7
The four new ROG Z790 motherboards harness the full potential of the latest wireless standard when paired with a WiFi 7 router thanks to Intel WiFi 7 onboard.
ASUS also introduced the ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna. It features an all-new hardware design that includes both circuit optimizations to the PCB and new enhanced inner pin connectors. These greatly improve signal throughput for the 5GHz and 6GHz bands.
Its easy one-step design means that all you have to do is plug it in to enjoy WiFi 7. The Armoury Crate app also equips you with tools to improve your signal quality and range by adjusting its position among these include Direction Finder and Fast Check.
DIMM Flex Maximizes Memory Performance and Stability
The latest Z790 motherboards take memory optimization efforts a step further with DIMM Flex. It dynamically adjusts memory controller behavior based on current memory temperature to optimize performance while ensuring stability.
It uses real-time temperature data from a thermal sensor integrated close to the memory slots to make frequent adjustments.
Easy Memory Optimization with AEMP II
Content creators, gamers, and engineers who work with large datasets and heavy multitaskers benefit from a high-core-count CPU with exceptional threaded performance and DDR5 is a better match for 14th gen Intel Core processors than DDR4.
To give you a hassle-free way to get your memory kits up to speed, all ASUS Z790 motherboards that support DDR5 offer access to AEMP II profiles. These profiles make it easy for you to tune your memory above baseline settings while maintaining stable system operation. With AEMP II, optimized memory settings are just a click away.
AEMP II offers more flexibility. With the Latest update, it now allows you to optimize the performance of a four-DIMM DDR5 RAM configuration even with a mix of different brands and dies.
DIY-friendly Features That Make PC Building Easier
The ASUS PCIe Slot Q-Release button lets you release your graphics card from the slot with one press. These first debuted on the highest-end Z690 motherboards and it is also offered in the mainstream TUF Gaming boards.
Additionally, ASUS implemented its single-sided Q-DIMM latching design on many of its Z790 motherboards. A single latch on the easier-to-access side of the DIMM slot makes it so you won’t have to worry about a latch that may be too close to your graphics card.
The motherboards feature a Q-LED indicator letting you know, even before booting, when a memory module isn’t seated properly.
There’s also the ASUS M.2 Q-Latch that gives you the peace of mind that you will never have to handle another tiny, easily lost M.2 screw again. You can now secure or loosen an M.2 drive with just your fingertips.
With some of the shared highlights out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the motherboards.
ROG Maximus Z790 Formula – Water-cooled Excellence
The ROG Maximus Z790 Formula features pristine white surfaces across its heatsinks and an integrated I/O shroud that gives it a standout look. It is also accented by the customizable 2-inch OLED display built into the heatsink for the central M.2 slot.
The new all-copper HybridChill VRM block offers standout passive cooling, and it is easy to connect to a custom loop for even more cooling.
It offers a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports and a fleet of high-speed USB ports on the rear panels. Additionally, it features an ROG SupremeFX audio solution to serve pristine sound for gaming experiences.
Full Specifications:
| ROG MAXIMUS Z790 Formula | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192 GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe5.0 x4) 4 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | Intel WiFi 7 1 x Realtek 5 Gbps Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High-Definition Audio CODEC ALC4082 |
| Rear I/O | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports (2 x USB Type-C) 6 x USB 10 Gbps ports (5 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 5 Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C with up to 60 W PD/QC4+) 2 x USB 5 Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5 Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header |
| 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+ header 1 x 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header |
ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore – Memory Overclocking Powerhouse
For the overclockers, there’s the Maximus Z790 Apex Encore. It has a robust power solution that provides a high-end platform for performance. Raw power enters the board through 8+8 ProCool II power connectors. The pins in the connectors offer better contact with power supply plugs, improved heat dissipation, and better reliability.
24-phase Vcore and 2-phase VCCAUX teamed power stages rated for up to 105 amps deliver stable power to the CPU, and VRM heatsinks keep the circuitry cool under pressure.
The motherboard comes included with a ROG DDR5 Fan Kit to keep temperatures on the memory modules low. Meanwhile, for those using a liquid cooling loop, the ROG Water Cooling Zone puts you in command. The dual water-temperature header and flow-rate header feed information straight into the ROG Intuitive Fan Xpert 5 utility.
Full Specifications:
| ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 2 x DIMM, Max. 96 GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8/x8) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | 3 x Onboard M.2 Slots 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) ROG DIMM.2 CARD 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | Intel WiFi 7 1 x Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High-Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 |
| Rear I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps port (1 x USB Type-C) 5 x USB 10 Gbps ports (5 x Type-A) 4 x USB 5 Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C with up to 60 W PD/QC4+) 2 x USB 5 Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5 Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| 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 2-pin Water In header 1 x 2-pin Water Out header 1 x 3-pin Water Flow header 1 x Extra Flow Fan header |
ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II – New Standard for Gaming
The Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II, on the other hand, features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and an onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. It offers a robust power solution primed for overclocking, WiFi 7, and a connector to help you set up a high-speed front-panel USB-C power with 30W Power Delivery fast charging.
Full Specifications:
| ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192 GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16(@x4) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 3 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | Intel WiFi 7 1 x Intel 2.5Gbps Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High-Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 |
| Rear I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps port (1 x Type-C) 11 x USB 10 Gbps ports (10 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) with up to 30W PD Fast-charge 2 x USB 5 Gbps headers (support 4 USB 5 Gbps ports) 3 x USB 2.0 headers (support 6 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header |
| 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 Z790-F Gaming WiFi II – Potent Blend of Style and Performance
Last but definitely not least, the Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II is for those who are tempted by the style of the Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi II but don’t have an immediate need for the PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
The Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II boasts a next-gen PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, WiFi 7, a premium ROG SupremeFX audio solution, and five onboard M.2 slots. However, it differs from its sibling by lowering the M.2 slots speeds to PCIe 4.0, lower VRM stages, and not offering as many 10Gbps USB ports in the rear panel.
The Z790-F Gaming WiFi II though is offered at a lower price point, making it a compelling option for PC builders.
We recently released our full review of the ROG Strix Z790 F-Gaming WiFi II, you can read it here.
Full Specifications:
| ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI II | |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 192 GB, DDR5 |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16(@x4) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 22110 (PCIe4.0 x4) 2 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | Intel WiFi 7 1 x Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 5.1 Surround Sound High-Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080 |
| Rear I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps port (1 x Type-C) 3 x USB 10 Gbps ports (2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 5 Gbps ports (4 x Type-A) 6 x USB 2.0 ports (6 x Type-A) |
| Front I/O | 1 x USB 20 Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C) with up to 30 W PD Fast-charge 1 x USB 5 Gbps header (supports 2 USB 5 Gbps ports) 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports) |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header |
| 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 |
Availability and Pricing
The new ASUS ROG Z790 will be availble in the Philippines starting October 2023. These are priced at:
- ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore – PHP 43,570
- ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero – PHP 42,100
- ROG Maximus Z790 Formula – PHP 48,550
- ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II – PHP 27,630
- ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi II – PHP 26,520
- TUF Gaming Z790-Pro WiFi – PHP 21,370
For more information, visit the official website.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
