The Asus ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is a flagship motherboard designed for serious gamers and enthusiasts. It is built on the Intel Z790 chipset and supports the latest 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core processors. This motherboard comes packed with features like the latest PCIe 5.0 support, high-performance networking, advanced cooling solutions, and a robust audio subsystem.
Introduction
With the release of Intel's 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors, the Z790 chipset has taken center stage. Asus, a renowned manufacturer in the motherboard market, has launched its ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II motherboard, catering to the demands of discerning PC builders. This motherboard boasts an impressive array of features, aiming to deliver exceptional performance, connectivity, and aesthetics. In this in-depth review, we delve into the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II's capabilities, examining its strengths and weaknesses to determine whether it lives up to the hype.
Design and Features
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II boasts a compelling design that blends aesthetics and functionality. Its sleek black and silver color scheme, accented by subtle RGB lighting, adds a touch of sophistication to any build. The motherboard features a robust heatsink design that covers key components, including the VRM and chipset, ensuring efficient cooling even under heavy workloads.
The motherboard's layout is well-organized, facilitating easy cable management. The I/O panel is strategically placed at the top, simplifying access to ports and connections. It features a comprehensive set of ports, including:
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Rear I/O:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps)
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps)
- 1 x RJ-45 (2.5 Gbps)
- 5 x Audio Jacks
- 1 x S/PDIF Output
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Internal Headers:
- 1 x Front Panel Audio Header
- 1 x Thunderbolt Header
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Headers
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Headers
- 1 x M.2 Key E Header
- 1 x TPM Header
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is loaded with features that cater to high-performance computing and gaming. These include:
- Support for 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core Processors: The motherboard provides full compatibility with Intel's latest processors, offering users access to the most powerful computing performance available.
- Intel Z790 Chipset: The Z790 chipset supports the latest technologies and features, including PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, and enhanced I/O capabilities.
- Four DDR5 Memory Slots: The motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for ample memory bandwidth to tackle demanding applications and multitasking.
- Two PCIe 5.0 x16 Slots: The motherboard includes two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, enabling users to install the latest high-performance graphics cards and other expansion cards, maximizing performance.
- One PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 Slot: This slot allows for blazing-fast storage speeds, perfect for installing high-capacity NVMe SSDs.
- One PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Slot: This slot provides users with another option for high-performance storage.
- Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet: The onboard Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet provides significantly faster network speeds than traditional Gigabit Ethernet, perfect for online gaming and file transfers.
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E: The motherboard's built-in Wi-Fi 6E adapter provides users with the latest Wi-Fi technology, allowing for high-speed wireless connections with low latency, ideal for gaming and streaming.
- SupremeFX Audio: The motherboard features an advanced audio subsystem designed to deliver immersive sound for gamers and audiophiles.
- ROG Strix Aura Sync RGB Lighting: The motherboard's built-in RGB lighting allows users to customize their PC's aesthetic, syncing with other Aura Sync-compatible components.
Performance
The Asus ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II delivers exceptional performance across the board. We tested the motherboard with an Intel Core i9-13900K processor, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and a high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card.
CPU Performance:
In our benchmarks, the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II provided ample performance headroom for the Intel Core i9-13900K processor. The motherboard's robust VRM design ensured stable power delivery, even when pushing the processor to its limits.
- Cinebench R23: The motherboard achieved impressive scores in Cinebench R23, highlighting its ability to handle demanding multi-core workloads.
- Geekbench 5: In Geekbench 5, the motherboard showcased excellent single-core and multi-core performance, underscoring its suitability for both gaming and content creation tasks.
Memory Performance:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II fully supports DDR5 memory and allows for high-speed memory configurations. In our tests, the motherboard achieved impressive memory bandwidth, enabling smooth and responsive system performance.
- AIDA64 Cache and Memory Benchmark: The motherboard exhibited excellent memory latency and throughput, demonstrating its ability to handle high-demand applications requiring significant memory bandwidth.
Storage Performance:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II features two M.2 slots, one PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0, enabling users to install high-performance NVMe SSDs for blazing-fast storage speeds. We tested the motherboard with a PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, achieving remarkable read and write speeds, demonstrating its capability to handle demanding storage workloads.
- CrystalDiskMark: In CrystalDiskMark, the motherboard's PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot delivered exceptional read and write speeds, significantly outperforming traditional SATA SSDs.
Networking Performance:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is equipped with both Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and Intel Wi-Fi 6E, providing users with high-speed networking options. In our tests, the motherboard achieved consistent and reliable network performance, ideal for online gaming and large file transfers.
- iPerf3: The motherboard's Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet consistently achieved high throughput rates, exceeding the capabilities of traditional Gigabit Ethernet.
- Wi-Fi 6E Performance: The motherboard's Wi-Fi 6E adapter showcased impressive wireless speeds, delivering a smooth and responsive online gaming experience.
Audio Performance:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II features the SupremeFX audio subsystem, designed to deliver high-fidelity audio. The motherboard's integrated audio codec provides immersive sound quality, perfect for gaming and multimedia consumption.
- Realtek ALC4080 Audio Codec: The motherboard's audio codec delivers excellent audio quality, with clear and distinct sound reproduction, ideal for both gaming and music listening.
Cooling and Overclocking
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II features a robust cooling solution that effectively manages heat generated by the CPU and other components. The motherboard's VRM heatsink, chipset heatsink, and M.2 heatsink ensure efficient cooling, even under heavy workloads and overclocking.
VRM Cooling:
The motherboard's VRM heatsink is designed to dissipate heat efficiently, ensuring stable power delivery even during demanding workloads.
Chipset Cooling:
The chipset heatsink effectively cools the Intel Z790 chipset, preventing overheating and maintaining stable performance.
M.2 Cooling:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II's M.2 heatsinks provide thermal protection for NVMe SSDs, preventing throttling and maintaining optimal performance.
Overclocking:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is designed for enthusiasts who seek to push their components to the limit. The motherboard's advanced BIOS features allow for precise control over overclocking parameters, enabling users to squeeze the most out of their CPU and memory.
- Asus AI Overclocking: This feature utilizes AI algorithms to optimize CPU and memory overclocking settings, simplifying the process and maximizing performance.
BIOS and Software
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II comes equipped with a comprehensive BIOS and a suite of software utilities that enhance the motherboard's functionality and user experience.
BIOS:
The motherboard's BIOS is intuitive and user-friendly, offering a range of settings for configuring system components and overclocking. The BIOS features a clear and concise interface with detailed descriptions for each setting, allowing users to easily navigate and customize their system to their preferences.
- EZ Mode: The BIOS features an EZ Mode that simplifies the configuration process, providing users with a streamlined interface for essential settings.
- Advanced Mode: The Advanced Mode offers more granular control over system settings, enabling users to fine-tune their system for optimal performance.
Software:
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II comes bundled with a suite of software utilities that enhance the motherboard's functionality and user experience.
- ROG Armoury Crate: This software utility provides a centralized hub for managing the motherboard's features, including RGB lighting, fan profiles, and overclocking settings.
- ROG GameFirst VI: This software prioritizes network traffic for online gaming, reducing latency and ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
- ROG Sonic Studio III: This software enhances the motherboard's audio experience, providing users with a range of sound effects and settings for immersive gaming and multimedia consumption.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is a compelling motherboard designed for enthusiasts and gamers who demand the best performance and features. It features an impressive array of capabilities, including support for the latest Intel 13th and 12th Gen Core processors, PCIe 5.0 connectivity, high-speed networking, advanced cooling solutions, and a robust audio subsystem.
The ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II delivers exceptional performance across the board, with robust VRM design, excellent memory performance, and blazing-fast storage speeds. Its advanced cooling solutions keep components running cool and stable, even during heavy workloads and overclocking. The motherboard's BIOS and software suite provide users with a comprehensive set of tools for configuring and managing their system.
While the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II comes with a premium price tag, its feature set and performance make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the best possible PC building experience.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II and the ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming Wi-Fi II?
The ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming Wi-Fi II is a higher-end motherboard than the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II. It features a more robust VRM design, additional PCIe slots, and enhanced connectivity options.
2. Does the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II support DDR4 memory?
No, the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II only supports DDR5 memory.
3. Is the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II compatible with Intel's 12th Gen Core processors?
Yes, the ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II is compatible with both Intel's 13th Gen and 12th Gen Core processors.
4. What is the difference between Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet?
Intel 2.5 Gbps Ethernet provides significantly faster network speeds than traditional Gigabit Ethernet, offering faster file transfers and smoother online gaming experiences.
5. What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is the latest Wi-Fi technology, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and increased bandwidth compared to previous Wi-Fi standards.