In accordance with Asus, its ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II motherboard serves Z790 refresh prospects a stability of “model, efficiency, cooling, and connectivity.” The board options black and silver styling that is solely barely modified from the unique Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi, however steps up its recreation with native 14th Gen Intel and Wi-Fi 7 help, 5 M.2 sockets, elevated reminiscence speeds, a strong energy answer, and a DIY-friendly design—in addition to AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II options from Asus. It isn’t cheap at $359.99, however it’s a tempting platform within the midrange class.
Board Design, CPU, and Reminiscence
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II incorporates a black multilayer PCB with silver heatsinks and shrouds masking the new spots. The left VRM heatsink is adorned with a frosted ROG image lit from under by RGB LEDs. The VRM heatsink is giant and heavy and retains the ability supply bits operating inside spec. Total, it is an attractive-looking board, solely reasonably flashy however no duller than its direct opponents. Whereas the RGB implementation could not make your chassis the focal point, it does brighten issues as much as exhibit the contrasting model of the board inside.
The motherboard helps Intel’s twelfth, thirteenth, and 14th Technology LGA1700 processors together with the flagship Core i9-14900K and KS. The 16 70A MOSFETs and different processor help gear dealt with our CPU with no points throughout testing. The heatsinks saved the ability answer operating effectively inside spec even when overclocking, although they do are likely to get heat after sustained heavy CPU use.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Asus lists reminiscence help for the board as much as DDR5-8000+ (OC), a rise of 200MHz greater than the unique. That is effectively past what most customers purchase, as a result of it is effectively previous the candy spot for efficiency versus price, however even probably the most hardcore customers will probably be glad in the event that they follow the QVL listing for assured compatibility. Like most Z790 boards, this Strix helps non-binary reminiscence (24/48GB modules) with a ceiling of 192GB—a lot even for energy customers.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)We examined the motherboard utilizing our DDR5-6000 and DDR5-7200 kits, each of which labored with out a hitch by merely enabling the XMP profiles. We additionally tried a just lately acquired DDR5-8000 package not discovered on the QVL listing, however it did not work. In reality, solely two manufacturers (and 10 kits whole) work, and solely with a 14th Gen processor and its higher reminiscence help.
Structure and Inner Connectors
Beginning within the prime nook, two of the primary gadgets you spy are the twin ProCool II 8-pin EPS energy connectors (one required) for powering the CPU. Surrounding these energy leads are the massive VRM heatsinks to chill the ability bits under. As talked about, the one and solely built-in RGB factor is on prime of the left VRM heatsink; the ROG image provides a vivid sufficient glow with out taking up the chassis or turning your room right into a rave.
Above the highest VRM heatsink and subsequent to the EPS connectors are the primary three of eight 4-pin fan headers. All headers output as much as 1A/12W, sufficient to deal with most configurations. Ensure to not overload these headers, which might completely injury the board. The 2 CPU fan headers mechanically detect if hooked up units are PWM- or DC-based, however you will have to manually choose the sort for the opposite headers. The BIOS, Asus Armoury Crate, or Fan Knowledgeable 4 applications management these units.
Transferring proper, we run into 4 unreinforced DRAM slots with a single locking mechanism on prime. Previous them alongside the precise edge is without doubt one of the DIY options, the Q-LED array that detects issues in the course of the POST course of. Under are the primary RGB headers—the primary of three 3-pin ARGB headers and the only real 4-pin RGB header. The Aura Sync software program in Armoury Crate manages these units.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Persevering with down the sting, we encounter the 24-pin ATX connector for board energy, the front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Kind-C connector, and a 19-pin front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) header. Additionally right here is one other DIY function, the Q-Launch, which conveniently unlocks the first graphics-card slot with the press of a button somewhat than making you press the latch down between the video card and M.2 heatsink.
Audio, Enlargement, Storage, and Rear I/O
The largely uncovered audio part is at backside left of the board. Hidden below a Faraday cage with Supreme FX branding is a high-quality, current-gen Realtek ALC4080 codec. Whereas it is just able to 5.1 encompass sound (somewhat than 7.1), most customers will discover this audio answer greater than acceptable.
The center of the board homes three PCI Categorical slots and all 5 M.2 sockets. The highest, bolstered PCIe socket connects via the CPU and is the one PCIe 5.0 x16-capable slot. The underside two slots join via the chipset and run as much as PCIe 4.0 x16 (the full-length slot) and PCIe 3.0 x1 (the small slot). Multi-GPU help is not talked about within the specs, however the board has ample bandwidth to help AMD CrossFire.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Hiding amongst all of the heatsinks between and across the PCI Categorical slots are 5 M.2 sockets. All 5 are PCI Categorical 4.0 x4 (64Gbps), so builders on the lookout for a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket have to look elsewhere. One of many sockets, M.2_5, helps SATA-based M.2 modules for extra flexibility. As a value-add, all 5 sockets use the M.2 Q-Latch that Asus developed, so you do not have to fiddle with tiny M.2 screws.
Transferring previous the chipset to the precise edge, we discover 4 SATA ports. Each SATA and M.2 storage help RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes for redundancy or extra velocity, relying on the mode you select. In brief, the motherboard offers loads of storage choices, although I might have appreciated to see a PCI Categorical 5.0-capable M.2 socket, since rival boards on this value vary have one.
Alongside the underside fringe of the board are a number of headers together with extra USB 2.0 ports and fan headers, front-panel audio, a COM port, ARGB headers, a Thunderbolt AIC header, a 2-pin temperature header, a clear-CMOS jumper, and eventually the front-panel header.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)The rear I/O consists of a preinstalled backplate with black labels on a white background and ROG branding. From left to proper, we see HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs surrounding the clear-CMOS and BIOS-flashback buttons. Subsequent are a number of USB ports together with two Kind-C (one 10Gbps, the opposite 20Gbps) and no fewer than 10 extra Kind-A ports: two 10Gbps, 4 5Gbps, and 4 USB 2.0 ports. Subsequent to them is the Wi-Fi 7 connection that makes use of a quick-attaching Q-Antenna, in addition to 2.5Gbps Ethernet and the two-plug-plus-SPDIF audio stack—nothing out of the peculiar to report right here.
UEFI BIOS and Utilities
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II makes use of the identical BIOS and background as its predecessor, with the Republic of Avid gamers darkish grey and pink coloration scheme we have seen earlier than. Its white and yellow textual content makes issues simple to learn. You begin in EZ Mode, which shares high-level system information together with CPU temperature and core voltage, DRAM standing, fan profiles with entry to the Q-Fan performance, and even an EZ System Tuning button to tweak your system with the flip of a swap. Nevertheless, for the reason that Z790 chipset permits overclocking, you will get extra out of the system when you overclock manually.
(Credit score: Asus)The superior portion of the BIOS presents a typical configuration with main headings throughout the highest together with My Favorites (customizable by the consumer), Fundamental, AI Tweaker, Superior, Monitor, Boot, Instruments, and Exit. All of the power-user performance is discovered on this way more complete mode.
(Credit score: Asus)The AI Tweaker part accommodates all of the choices for tweaking and overclocking your system. Right here you possibly can modify voltages, RAM speeds and timings, and overclocking choices for the CPU. Whereas the ability supply choices aren’t encyclopedic, they are not paltry both. Your CPU temperatures and cooling will probably be a limiting issue earlier than the motherboard is.
(Credit score: Asus)Contained in the Superior part are a number of subheadings the place you possibly can tweak the CPU, chipset, USB, audio, and community performance.
(Credit score: Asus)The monitoring part shows detailed information about temperatures, fan speeds, voltage, and the Q-Fan configuration to regulate your fan profiles. Lastly, Asus included canned profiles and the flexibility to create and save customized fan curves, which is all we will ask from a BIOS.
Asus has logically laid out its BIOS, making it legible and straightforward to navigate, and the Z790 model offers a full array of tweaks together with these to overclock RAM and the processor. The corporate’s BIOS is often my favourite amongst main motherboard makers as every part is straightforward to learn and choices are simple to seek out. Our model (1220) was rock-stable throughout our testing.
On the software program aspect, Armoury Crate by Asus homes a slew of performance, together with system tweaking and monitoring and management over RGB lighting and followers. The applying matches the ROG theme and is straightforward to work with. The primary screenshot under reveals the touchdown web page, all of the {hardware} it might probably management on our check system, and the capabilities (akin to fan management and RGB) under.
(Credit score: Asus)Fan Knowledgeable 4 is the Armoury Crate module that controls all of the followers and water pumps related to the 4-pin headers. You may select from 4 presets or customise every header together with your customized curve(s).
(Credit score: Asus)The Aura Sync part controls the RGB lighting. It consists of a number of preset modes (static, respiration, coloration cycle, rainbow, comet, glowing yo-yo, starry night time, flash and sprint, and strobing) which you may as well tweak individually.
(Credit score: Asus)This entire software program suite from Asus offers a Home windows-based answer to manage absolutely anything you possibly can within the BIOS. If you wish to overclock, the AI Suite 3 software program provides you probably the most management over the processor.
(Credit score: Asus)Lastly, you possibly can obtain your board’s drivers, utilities, and help paperwork within the Instruments part. It is a handy one-stop store for every part downloadable.
Total, we just like the Armoury Crate software program and what it offers, although its a number of modules typically really feel a bit clunky to navigate. I might wish to see the capabilities in AI Suite 3 mixed for a correct single software program answer.
Verdict: A Slicing-Edge Gaming Refresh
The Asus ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is a midrange gaming motherboard that offers Intel desktop builders a well-rounded set of options at an inexpensive value. The refresh board is provided with succesful energy supply for the newest processors, scads of rear USB ports (together with two USB-C ports, one 20Gbps), 5 M.2 sockets, an up-to-date audio codec, and styling that ought to slot in with loads of construct themes. Efficiency was first rate throughout and barely above common in gaming. In brief, it is a succesful replace, although when you do not thoughts flashing your BIOS you could find cheaper choices among the many unique Z790 boards.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)At $359.99, the Gaming Wi-Fi II sits squarely in a crowded midrange section. ASRock’s new Z790 Nova Wi-Fi is the least costly competitor at $329.99 however notably features a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket, as do the MSI MPG Z790 Edge Ti Max and the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Professional X ($389.99 every). All have 5 M.2 sockets, succesful energy supply, and efficient audio, so your selection largely comes down to cost and appears, although DDR5 maniacs will discover the Gigabyte lists the very best help at DDR5-8266+ (OC). If built-in Wi-Fi 7 is extra necessary to you than a PCIe 5.0 SSD socket, the Asus is a first-class selection.
