After Intel’s announcement of its 13th gen Intel Core Raptor Lake processors, Asus announced its new motherboards based on Intel’s new Z790 chipset. These new Asus Z790 series motherboards offer a (slightly) new look, design, added features, and improvements that are not present on the previous Z690 motherboards. Check out more details about Asus’ new Z790 motherboards, their specifications, prices, and where to buy from the official news release below.
ASUS Launches Z790 Series Motherboards for 13th Gen Intel Core Processors
ASUS today announced a comprehensive lineup of Intel® Z790 motherboards across the ROG Maximus, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, and Prime product families―all built to support the latest 13th Gen Intel Core™ processors. Thanks to exclusive technologies like AEMP II, AI Overclocking, and AI Cooling II, plus user-friendly features such as Q-Design, ASUS Z790 motherboards are ideal solutions for users aiming to build a next-gen machine or upgrade their existing system.
AEMP II: Easy memory optimization
When ASUS first launched the previous-gen Z690 models, DDR5 memory modules had only recently hit the market. Many builders looked for assurance that their new memory would work as advertised in their new motherboards—and ASUS went above and beyond to make that happen. It collaborated closely with a wide range of industry partners to offer ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile (AEMP), which ensures better and wider compatibility with popular brands of RAM.
Now that the DDR5 market has matured, and a wide range of memory kits are available at increasingly enticing prices, builders are rightly thinking more about performance than compatibility. Once again, ASUS has gone above and beyond. For every Z790 motherboard that supports DDR5, ASUS is introducing AEMP II profiles that offer up to 37.5% faster RAM speeds than baseline DDR5-4800 specs. Built through a flexible training method, these profiles make it easy for users to tune their memory above baseline settings while maintaining stable system operation. With AEMP II, optimized memory settings are just a click away―whether one is getting the most out of an entry-level module or priming a high-speed kit for ultimate performance.
AI Overclocking: Easy CPU optimization
ASUS AI Overclocking is powered by exhaustive research and characterization of the performance potential of thousands of actual CPUs in ASUS testing labs. This tool leads the industry in overclocking performance and ease of use. It boosts CPU clocks for both lightly threaded and all-core workloads with just one click. AI Overclocking’s sophisticated intelligence also monitors CPU cooler efficiency and changes in a PC’s operating environment to tune parameters over time for the best performance with each system’s unique set of components. Users will have access to AI Overclocking on all ROG Maximus and ROG Strix Z790 motherboards.
AI Cooling II and FanXpert: Comprehensive thermal solutions
When users first enable ASUS AI Cooling II through FanXpert in the Armate app, it uses a machine learning algorithm to gather data about their system during a brief stress test. From then on, AI Cooling II monitors the CPU and uses the data from its stress test to calculate the lowest fan speed required to effectively cool the system—while minimizing noise levels. This fan control system can reduce system fan noise by up to 5.7 dB under sustained loads. Through this self-adaptive system, users always have cooling power when they need it and quiet operation when they want it. ASUS has also taken the opportunity to update FanXpert with the full set of fan calibration and control options. Users get temperature input mapping and fan response mapping―all inside Windows through the convenient Armoury Crate app.
ASUS Q-Design: User-friendly PC building
The ASUS PCIe® Slot Q-Release button lets users easily release a graphics card from the slot with a simple press of a finger. ASUS first debuted this convenient feature on the highest-end Z690 motherboards, and now it is proud to offer this even on the mainstream TUF Gaming and Prime Z790-A WiFi boards.
Similarly, traditional DIMM slot designs require users to lock in both sides of the memory stick, and it was not always easy for those with larger fingers to unlock the latch closest to the graphics card. That is why ASUS has also implemented its single-sided Q-DIMM latching design on all its Z790 motherboards. With this arrangement, users do not have to worry about a latch that may be too close to a graphics card. A single latch on the easier-to-access side of the DIMM slot is all it takes to hold a memory stick firmly in place. Installing RAM—and upgrading it down the road—is much easier.
ASUS has also simplified the process of installing an M.2 drive. The ASUS M.2 Q-Latch gives users the peace of mind that they will never have to handle another tiny, easily lost M.2 screw ever again. Now they can secure or loosen an M.2 drive with just their fingertips. The M.2 Q-Latch is offered on every ROG Maximus, ROG Strix, and TUF Gaming Z790 motherboard—and it is even included on the mainstream Prime Z790-A WiFi.
Pricing and Availability
ASUS Z790 motherboards are available for pre-order starting from 9/27 in the United States and Canada. You can check the link(s) below for the latest pricing and availability.
Asus Z790 motherboards are listed on Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
13th Gen Intel Core Raptor Lake Processors available on Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme Specifications
| Size | EATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR5 up to 7200 (OC) |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage | 1 x 22110 (PCIe 5.0) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) 2 x DIMM.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | 1 x Marvell® 10Gb 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Audio | Realtek ALC 4082 ESS ES9218 Quad-DAC |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 2 x USB Type-C® ports |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 7 x USB Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® |
| Front I/O | 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® with Quick Charge 4+ (60W) 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | Onboard: 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers, 1 x Aura RGB header ROG Fan Controller: 6 x Gen 2 addressable headers |
| Cooling | Onboard: 8 x fan headers ROG Fan Controller: 6 x headers, 2 x sensor |
Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero Specifications
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR5 up to 7200 (OC) |
| PCIe | 2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4, x4/x4) |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA mode) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 CODEC ESS® ES9218 Quad-DAC |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 2 x USB Type-C® ports |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2: 5 x USB Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® with Quick Charge 4+ (60W) 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 8 x fan headers |
| ROG Hyper M.2 Card | 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 1 x M.2 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
Asus ROG Strix Z790-E and F Gaming WiFi Specifications
| ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming WiFi | ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ATX | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR5 up to 7200 (OC) | 4 x DDR5 up to 7200 (OC) |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 1 x 22110 (PCIe 5.0 x4) 3 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA mode) | 2 x 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA mode) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Audio | Realtek ALC 4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP | Realtek ALC 4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 1 x header | 1 x header |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 6 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-C® 2.0: 4x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® with USB Power Delivery 3.0 (30W) 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® with USB Power Delivery 3.0 (30W) USB 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A USB 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 8 x fan headers | 8 x fan headers |
Asus ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WiFi D4 Specifications
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR4 up to 5333+ (OC) |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16) 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 2 x 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 2 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Audio | Realtek ALC 4080 Savitech SV3H712 AMP |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 1 x header |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A 2.0: 2 x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® with Quick Charge 4+ (30W) 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 8 x fan headers |
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi Specifications
| Size | Mini-ITX |
| Memory | 2 x DDR5 up to 7200+ (OC) |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 (@x16 or @x8 with PCIe 5.0 M.2) |
| Storage | 1 x 2280 (PCIe 5.0/4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 2 x USB Type-C® |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 3 x Type-A 3.2 Gen 1: 1 x USB Type-A 2.0: 2 x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A 2.0: 3 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 1 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 3 x fan headers |
| ROG Strix Hive | 3.2 Gen 2: 1 x USB Type-C® 2.0: 1 x USB Type-A Realtek ALC 4050 ESS® ES9260 Quad-DAC |
Asus TUF Gaming Z790 Motherboards Specifications
| TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 | TUF Gaming Z790-Plus D4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ATX | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR4 up to 5333 (OC) | 4 x DDR4 up to 5333 (OC) |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (max. @x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (max. @x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 1 x 2280 (PCIe 5.0/4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) | 2 x 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6 | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb |
| Audio | Realtek S1220A | Realtek S1220A |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 1 x header | 1 x header |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A | 3.2 Gen 2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 7 x fan headers | 7 x fan headers |
Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi Specifications
| Size | ATX |
| Memory | 4 x DDR5 up to 7000 (OC) |
| PCIe | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (max @x4) 1 x PCIe 4.0 (x4) 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 2 x 22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4) 1 x 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA) |
| Networking | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Intel® WiFi 6E |
| Audio | Realtek S1220A |
| Thunderbolt™ 4 | 1 x header |
| Rear I/O | 3.2 Gen 2×2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2: 2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Front I/O | 3.2 Gen 2: 1 x USB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 1: 2 x USB Type-A 2.0: 4 x USB Type-A |
| Aura | 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x Aura RGB header |
| Cooling | 7 x fan headers |
Asus Z790 motherboards are listed on Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
13th Gen Intel Core Raptor Lake Processors available on Amazon.com here or Newegg.com here.
