Intel’s recent announcement regarding the latest 14th Gen Core S-Series Desktop Processors this morning conveys a straightforward message: “It’s essentially the 13th Gen but with significant improvements.”
To underscore this point, ASUS ROG followed up with their announcement, revealing some new Z790 offering that unlocks the full potential of these new CPUs.
Let’s briefly delve into the Z790 platform. It utilizes the LGA1700 socket, allowing you to currently use a 12th or 13th Gen CPU and later upgrade to the 14th Gen.
But there’s more. These new models come equipped with the brand-new integrated Intel WiFi 7 chip, offering even stronger signal quality in the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, potentially surpassing your ISP package’s speed as the limiting factor.
The introduction of DIMM Flex enhances RAM performance by improving heat dissipation and adjusting the memory controller’s behavior based on temperature, resulting in up to a 16% performance boost, according to an official statement.
Additionally, features like the AEMP II provide more effective RAM training, especially in 4-DIMM configurations with broad compatibility across RAM brands and vendors. The motherboard also boasts DIY-friendly elements such as a screw-less, click-based latch for PCIe and M.2 slots.
Now, let’s explore the unique attributes of each new board.
First in line is the ROG Maximus Z790 Formula, catering to enthusiasts who favor full liquid-cooling custom loops. This board boasts a sleek metallic white finish extending across the heatsinks and integrated I/O shroud. The customizable 2-inch OLED display is seamlessly integrated into the M.2 slot, while the all-copper HybridChill VRM block provides passive cooling or can be incorporated into a custom liquid cooling loop for enhanced cooling performance.
As a high-end choice, the board includes a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports and high-speed USB ports on the rear panel for connecting premium peripherals. The ROG SupremeFX audio solution ensures impressive audio quality.
Moving on to the APEX models, they make a return in the form of the Apex Encore, offering a superior and robust power solution through the 8+8 ProCool II power connectors. These connectors provide a better fit, improved heat dissipation, and greater reliability compared to standard hardware. The ROG DDR5 Fan Kit, which blows air directly into the DIMM kit, can enhance temperature control and, in some cases, lead to higher memory frequencies.
For those opting for full custom water cooling loops, the ROG Water Cooling Zone offers two water temperature headers and a flow rate header, along with the Fan Xpert 4 utility to monitor the liquid cycle. Other noteworthy features include AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, a pre-installed Memtest86, and a 1-year AIDA64 Extreme key.
In the ROG Strix series, the Z790-E Gaming WiFi II takes inspiration from the Maximus series but offers a more budget-friendly proposition. It features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and onboard PCIe 5.0 M.2 for full compatibility with the latest GPUs and NVMe drives. Additionally, it includes a high-speed front panel USB-C port with 30W Power Delivery (PD).
The Z790-F Gaming WiFi II, another member of the Strix series, features a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot while maintaining similarity with the E model in terms of other specifications. So if you have no use of PCIe 5.0 SSDs, pick this one and save that money for a nice meal on the way back home.
