The Intel Z490 Overview: 44+ Motherboards Examined
by Gavin Bonshor on April 30, 2020 10:00 AM ESTChoosing The Right Z490 Motherboard
When it comes to selecting the right motherboard for the task, it can come down to several variables. These include a personal preference for things like aesthetics, certain features which are required to do a specific job, or primarily down to budget. With more than 40 models to select from, most of the Z490 product stack comes with a competitive feature set, with some models offering Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, some offering eight SATA ports. In contrast, others offer up to three PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots.
Regardless of the combination of features required, as we have done from previous chipset overviews, we've taken some of the most common requirements and narrowed them down to allow users to choose a board based on its specific features.
One of the most improved upon things from the previous generation comes in the way of networking support. No fewer than eight models come with some form of 10 G Ethernet, with more than 60% of the current product stack featuring either Intel's new I225-V 2.5 G Ethernet, or Realtek's RTL8125 2.5 G equivalent. This marks a rise in high-speed networking capabilities, not just with wired, but in wireless too. Intel's CNVI has support for Wi-Fi 6 wireless interfaces including the AX200, and AX201 802.11ax wireless interface.
More impressively, some vendors have stepped up its game on networking with MSI in all of its models, comes with at least a Realtek 2.5 G Ethernet controller. This shows a real intent to offer better networking support than it ever has before. Some of the product stack offers three or more PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots but is typically found on the premium models, while there are more models now with Thunderbolt 3 rear panel connectivity than ever before. Only one model offers a PCIe 3.0 x4 U.2 port, which is the EVGA Z490 Dark which is surprising given its aimed at enthusiasts.
Choosing the Right Z490 Motherboard | |||
If You Need | Then The Options Are | Size | Price |
10 Gigabit Ethernet | ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula | ATX | $500 | |
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
Supermicro C9Z490-PGW | ATX | $395 | |
Supermicro C9Z490-PG | ATX | $375 | |
5 Gigabit Ethernet | ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Wi-Fi | ATX | $399 |
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet | ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 |
ASRock Z490 PG Velocita | ATX | $260 | |
ASRock Z490 Taichi | ATX | $370 | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 | mITX | $280 | |
ASRock Z490 Steel Legend | ATX | $185 | |
ASRock Z490 Extreme4 | ATX | $195 | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/2.5G | ATX | $160 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula | ATX | $500 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex | ATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming | ATX | $300 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-F Gaming | ATX | $269 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming Wi-Fi | mATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming | mITX | $300 | |
ASUS Prime Z490-A | ATX | $230 | |
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | ATX | - | |
Colorful iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 | ATX | - | |
EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Master | ATX | $389 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Ultra | ATX | $299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490I Aorus Ultra | mITX | $269 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Pro AX | ATX | $269 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Elite AC | ATX | $219 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D | ATX | $299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G | ATX | $199 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Ace | ATX | $400 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Unify | ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z490I Unify | mITX | - | |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI | ATX | $270 | |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WIFI | ATX | $200 | |
MSI MPG Z490M Gaming Edge WIFI | mATX | - | |
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk | ATX | $190 | |
MSI Z490-A Pro | ATX | $160 | |
3 or more M.2 Slots | ASRock Z490 Taichi | ATX | $370 |
ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula | ATX | $500 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex | ATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Wi-Fi | ATX | $399 | |
ASUS Prime Z490-A | ATX | $230 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Master | ATX | $389 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Ultra | ATX | $299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X | ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Ace | ATX | $400 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Unify | ATX | - | |
U.2 Port | EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | - |
8 or more SATA Ports | ASRock Z490 Taichi | ATX | - |
ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | - | |
ASRock Z490 PG Velocita | ATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex | ATX | - | |
EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | $926 | |
4 or more USB 3.2 G2 Type-A | ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | ATX | - |
EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | $926 | |
EVGA Z490 FTW WiFi | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI | ATX | $270 | |
Thunderbolt 3 | ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming ITX/TB3 | mITX | $280 |
ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 | |
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D | ATX | $299 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
MSI MEG Z490I Unify | mITX | - | |
BIOS Flashback Button | ASRock Z490 Taichi | ATX | $370 |
ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Wi-Fi | ATX | $399 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming | ATX | $300 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Master | ATX | $389 | |
GIGABYTE Z490I Aorus Ultra | mITX | $269 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Ace | ATX | $400 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Unify | ATX | - | |
E-ATX | ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | $1100 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | $750 | |
EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | EATX | $1299 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | EATX | $799 | |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | $750 | |
Micro-ATX | ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming | mATX | - |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Wi-Fi Gaming | mATX | - | |
ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus | mATX | $150 | |
GIGABYTE Z490M Gaming X | mATX | - | |
MSI MPG Z490M Gaming Edge WIFI | mATX | - | |
Mini-ITX | ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 | mITX | $280 |
ASRock Z490M-ITX/ac | mITX | $160 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming | mITX | $300 | |
Biostar Racing Z490GTN | mITX | $199 | |
GIGABYTE Z490I Aorus Ultra | mITX | $269 | |
MSI MEG Z490I Unify | mITX | - |
Usually we would also note which boards include a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec in the table, but it's quicker and easier to list which boards don't have it, as it's now a regular feature across Z490 boards. Only a minimal selection of models in the entry-level segment feature a non-ALC1220 codec.
Z490 Motherboard Audio | |
Codec | Boards |
Realtek ALC1220 | Almost Everything, Except The Following |
Realtek ALC1200 | ASRock Z490 Steel Legend |
ASRock Z490 Extreme4 | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4SR | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Elite AC | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X | |
GIGABYTE Z490M Gaming X | |
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk | |
Realtek S1200A | ASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi |
Realtek ALC892 | ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4 |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/2.5G | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ac | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax | |
Colorful iGame CVN Z490 Gaming Pro V20 | |
Realtek ALC887 | ASUS Prime Z490-P |
ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus | |
Realtek ALC1150 | Biostar Racing Z490GTA Evo |
Biostar Racing Z490GTA |
Wi-Fi 6 For Everyone: Well Almost
One of the primary updates on the Z490 chipset over Z390 is in its CNVi support. Intel now offers support for Wi-Fi 6 wireless interfaces via the CNVi within the chipset and allows vendors to use its own CRF modules such as the Intel AX200 and AX201. While this does increase the cost a little, it's still cheaper than implementing its own dedicated controller and using HSIO lanes from outside of the chipset. With more than half of the current Z490 product stack equipped with a Wi-Fi 6 CRF module, it's now become a regular feature as wireless technologies improve beyond 802.11ac. The Intel AX200 and AX201 also include support for BT 5.1 devices, while it should be made clear that these interfaces are backwards compatible with older Bluetooth versions.
With Wi-Fi 6 being so commonly featured across much of the Z490 product stack, below is a list of models either without Wi-Fi completely, or with a lesser variant such as 802.11ac.
Z490 Wi-Fi Support | |
Wireless Interface | Boards |
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Almost Everything, Except The Following |
802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ac |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4SR | |
Biostar Racing Z490GTA Evo | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Elite AC | |
No Wi-Fi | ASRock Z490 PG Velocita |
ASRock Z490 Steel Legend | |
ASRock Z490 Extreme4 | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4 | |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/2.5G | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-F Gaming | |
ASUS Prime Z490-A | |
ASUS Prime Z490-P | |
ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus | |
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | |
Biostar Racing Z490GTN | |
Colorful iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 | |
Colorful iGame CVN Z490 Gaming Pro V20 | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X | |
GIGABYTE Z490M Gaming X | |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G | |
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk | |
MSI Z490-A Pro | |
Supermicro C9Z490-PG |
It's great having a stacked set of features, but generally, these come at a higher price point. Not overlooking the value aspect for users on a budget, motherboard pricing has surged far beyond itself in recent times. Where a couple of years ago a flagship model would cost around $400-500, that is considered more upper mid-range now, with some flagship desktop models exceeding $1200 (Looking at you GIGABYTE). All of this needs to be factored in, with some vendors pushing non-RGB models when in recent times, RGB was one of its main marketable points. Virtually every vendor has its own RGB ecosystem now with fancy software, some more intuitive than others, while some of that focus could be aimed at areas where performance counts, and aesthetics are secondary.
From all of the motherboards, we've not distinguished between the different world zones, so some models may be region locked to the USA, others for Europe. In contrast, other markets such as China have a completely different scope of sales.
ASRock Z490 Product Stack
Starting alphabetically, ASRock offers one of its smallest Intel-based product stacks in terms of previous launches. It has boards of a different pedigree within its Z490 stack, with the ASRock Z490 Taichi currently sitting (at the time of writing) as its flagship model. ASRock has also launched its favorable mini-ITX Z490 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 which offers a solid feature set including Thunderbolt 3, a 2.5 G Ethernet controller, and dual PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots. The ASRock Z490 sits as the brand's flagship model, with a full custom monoblock and a plethora of features including 10 G and 2.5 G Ethernet, with a set of hardline fittings included in its accessories bundle.
Availability and Pricing of ASRock Intel Z490 Motherboards (04/30) | |||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Price |
ASRock Z490 Aqua | EATX | Link | $1100 |
ASRock Z490 Taichi | ATX | Link | $370 |
ASRock Z490 PG Velocita | ATX | Link | $260 |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 | mITX | Link | $280 |
ASRock Z490 Steel Legend | ATX | Link | $185 |
ASRock Z490 Extreme4 | ATX | Link | $195 |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4 | ATX | Link | $150 |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/2.5G | ATX | Link | $160 |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax | ATX | Link | - |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ac | ATX | Link | - |
ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4SR | ATX | Link | - |
The ASRock Z490 Steel Legend and Z490 Extreme4 are identical in features, but offers users two different aesthetics as the foundation of a Comet Lake system, also with 2.5 G Ethernet. The ASRock Z490 PG Velocita is an entirely new model, adding something that sounds fast and readily marketable to its already established gaming series. ASRock will undoubtedly release new models between now and launch, a couple we know about but can't discuss, and likely something to take over the Taichi as its flagship model.
ASUS Z490 Product Stack
ASUS has the most extensive product stack at the time of writing, with models stretching across its key ranges including its ROG Maximus XII, ROG Strix, Prime, and TUF series. All of these are marketed at gamers, with the Maximus XII models including premium controller sets with multiple functionalities for enthusiasts, and content creators. The flagship ROG MaximusXII Extreme is a true flagship with 10 G Ethernet, plenty of PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and is one of the most significant models with its EATX form factor. The ROG Maximus XII Formula is geared up with 10 G Ethernet and 2.5 G too while offering EKWB Hybrid CrossChill III MOSFET heatsinks for water coolers looking to create a stable water-cooled system.
Availability and Pricing of ASUS Intel Z490 Motherboards (04/30) | |||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Price |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme Glacial | ? | Link | - |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme | EATX | Link | $750 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula | ATX | Link | $500 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Apex | ATX | Link | - |
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero WiFi | ATX | Link | $399 |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming | ATX | Link | $300 |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-F Gaming | ATX | Link | $269 |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Wi-Fi Gaming | mATX | Link | - |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-G Gaming | mATX | Link | - |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-A Gaming | ATX | Link | - |
ASUS ROG Strix Z490-I Gaming | mITX | Link | $300 |
ASUS TUF Z490 Plus WiFi | ATX | Link | $200 |
ASUS TUF Z490 Plus | ATX | Link | - |
ASUS Prime Z490-A | ATX | Link | $230 |
ASUS Prime Z490-P | ATX | Link | $160 |
ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus | mATX | Link | $150 |
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G | ATX | Link | - |
Moving down is the ROG Strix series with its plethora of alphabet models, going from E to I, with at least one model in each form factor (ATX, mATX, mITX), while still offering premium controllers, but with a lower cost. The TUF series is still ASUS's entry level gaming brand, with an upgrade over the previous Z390 models. The Prime series is set into a premium model and an entry-level model, with more neautral aesthetics, while the new ProArt Z490-Creator 10G which targets content creators with a solid feature set, includes Thunderbolt 3 connectivity.
GIGABYTE Z490 Product Stack
When comparing GIGABYTE's Z490 to its previous Z390 product stack, many of its range reappear including the Aours branded models, which goes from the really high-end, all the way to the mid-range segment. The award to the most outrageous Z490 price goes to the Xtreme WaterForce, with its premium feature set and custom full cover monoblock. Users with less wallet and more sense could pick up the equally impressive Z490 Aorus Xtreme for $500 less and drops the waterblock. The Aorus Ultra, Master, Elite all make a reappearance, with 2.5 G Ethernet due to the Z490's integrated 2.5 G MAC, with the vast majority of its range also benefiting for the Wi-Fi 6 MAC too.
Availability and Pricing of GIGABYTE Intel Z490 Motherboards (04/30) | |||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Price |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | Link | $1299 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | Link | $799 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Master | ATX | Link | $389 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Ultra | ATX | Link | $299 |
GIGABYTE Z490I Aorus Ultra | mITX | Link | $269 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Pro AX | ATX | Link | $269 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Elite AC | ATX | Link | $219 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X | ATX | Link | - |
GIGABYTE Z490M Gaming X | mATX | Link | - |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D | ATX | Link | $299 |
GIGABYTE Z490 Vision G | ATX | Link | $199 |
The GIGABYTE Z490 Vision D is a Designare in all but name, and has the branding to match, with a solid feature set at a very good price. Also replaced is the Gaming SLI series which is now the Z490 Vision G, while the Z490 and Z490M Gaming X offers different form factors, with very similar entry level feature sets for users on a budget.
MSI Z490 Product Stack
Something which is impressive, is MSI has used the integrated 2.5 G MAC within the Z490 chipset on all of its current Z490 range, with the flagship and even the entry level Z490-A Pro getting 2.5 G Ethernet at the very least. The MSI MEG range is stacked with the flagship MEG Z490 Godlike, the slightly lesser Z490 Ace, while the Z490 Unify and Z490I Unify offer more performance based features, but with more elegant and neutral aesthetics. The MSI MEG Z490I Unify is the brands only mini-ITX model, and is built upon an impressive 10-layer PCB.
Availability and Pricing of MSI Intel Z490 Motherboards (04/30) | |||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Price |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike | EATX | Link | $750 |
MSI MEG Z490 Ace | ATX | Link | $400 |
MSI MEG Z490 Unify | ATX | Link | - |
MSI MEG Z490I Unify | mITX | Link | - |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI | ATX | Link | $270 |
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WIFI | ATX | Link | $200 |
MSI MPG Z490M Gaming Edge WIFI | mATX | Link | - |
MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk | ATX | Link | $190 |
MSI Z490-A Pro | ATX | Link | $160 |
Although not with pricing as of yet, the MSI range also includes its MPG gaming-focused series, with the Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI, and Z490 Gaming Edge both including a Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface and Realtek 2.5 G Ethernet controllers While typically found on its more budget based chipsets such as AMD B550, and Intel's new B460, the MAG Z490 Tomahawk offers a solid feature set, likely at a good price as previous iterations have provided. The MSI Z490-A Pro is the entry-level model and will likely be the cheapest, but it still includes 2.5 G Ethernet which is impressive.
Other Z490 Product Stack Options
Outside of the big four vendors, Biostar, EVGA and Supermicro all have models for the launch of Z490. Biostar typically aim its sights lower in the grand scheme of things, with more budget-focused offerings which generally cost less in comparison. The EVGA Z490 is geared for overclockers and memory performance afficandos with its two memory slots on an EATX sized board, with a transposed socket for better sub-zero overclocking support with CPU LN2 pots, while the EVGA Z490 FTW WiFi caters to the general market. Supermicro also has two new models, the C9Z490-PGW and C9Z490-PG which are the only boards currently on Z490 to include a PLX chip, the Broadcom PEX8747 to be exact for PCIe lane bifurcation.
Availability and Pricing of Other Intel Z490 Motherboards (04/30) | |||
Model | Size | AT Overview |
Price |
Biostar Racing Z490GTA Evo | ATX | Link | $239 |
Biostar Racing Z490GTA | ATX | Link | $209 |
Biostar Racing Z490GTN | mITX | Link | $199 |
Colorful iGame Z490 Vulcan X V20 | ATX | Link | - |
Colorful iGame CVN Z490 Gaming Pro V20 | ATX | Link | - |
EVGA Z490 Dark | EATX | Link | - |
EVGA Z490 FTW WiFi | ATX | Link | - |
Supermicro C9Z490-PGW | ATX | Link | $395 |
Supermicro C9Z490-PG | ATX | Link | $375 |
So, who wants a Z490?
52 Comments
View All Comments
stevenfindley - Monday, June 8, 2020 - link
Printing from PC is that the commonest process especially in an office setting. So, when the printer unexpectedly rejects to print, a flow of delays and operation issues arise. Here are some effective methods, you'll do when your brother printer not printing from PC. additionally , you'll take complete guidance from the Brother Printer Help team. Certified Printer technicians have good knowledge to know the particular causes of this technical malfunction.If everything is ok but your Brother Printer not printing from PC, you would like to perform a chilly reset. a chilly reset or network factory default setting removes the recent settings and every one the archives. So, it's the best to line a backup before applying this solution. Whenever you face technical malfunctions together with your brother printer, of these are the effective solutions you'll attempt before calling a licensed technician or Brother Printer Support team. Before facing other issues, you would like to attach with online printer technicians to urge quick solutions.
There are various reasons thanks to which Brother printer stops printing. during this article, we've mentioned the methods by which you'll diagnose your printer problem. Thereby we've also provided you the solutions to repair these errors within the easiest method possible. So let's advance to our next section without wasting any time. Printer problems are caused by corrupted or outdated drivers, so you'll need dedicated help so as to unravel them. Download and install this driver updater tool to form sure you run their latest versions. Check your drivers in 3 easy steps:
https://printererrorassistant.com/brother-printer-...
Shinkiro - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
A lot of people don't upgrade every consecutive generation. My 3570k and 980ti have been serving me well for half a decade, but now that it's time to get new gear I'm happy to see higher maximum speeds and lower temperatures than the previous generation. The fact that gen10 requires a different socket than Gen 9 is completely irrelevant to me, aside from choosing a compatible board.Orange_Swan - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Exactly, my i5-4690k has served me well for just under 6 years (brought Nov. 14), I tend to buy a new CPU and Mobo every 5ish years.althaz - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - link
The point is though, that you need to buy a new motherboard, which means you'll probably consider AMD's Ryzen 3000 line-up (generally, AMD will give you better productivity performance, upgradability and lower power, but worse gaming performance, which is why I went Intel last year). If Intel weren't such dicks in forcing people to buy new motherboards, maybe you would be able to just drop in a new CPU (actually in your case it really is irrelevant, a new motherboard was *actually* needed for 6th gen, everything since then would work on the same boards if Intel weren't dicks, but the point stands in general).Tabalan - Sunday, May 3, 2020 - link
Intel i5 3570k was released 8 years ago, while i5 4690k is 6 years old. Wanting to upgrade build after 6 years with 3 years of mobo backward compatibility (like with AMD, Ryzen 1000 to 4000) means that you either buy 3 years old CPU or buy new mobo + new CPU. In latter case, it doesn't matter if you go with Intel or AMD, because it's down to same thing.bronan - Saturday, May 16, 2020 - link
Indeed my point exactly every year new stuff gets launched and loads of people jump onto the newest toys just because the cpu is maybe 0.1 Ghz faster if your lucky.Because that boost does not work constant at all, i saw that with several friends who bought the 8700k which claims to boost to 4.7 Ghz. Reality is that only 3 out of 28 of these cpu did boost up to 4.7 the rest only gets between 4.4 and 4.6 at the highest and to be honest only in certain tasks.
So if you follow the baseline of the cpu usage you see during some tasks a few spikes but most of the time it hangs around the baseclock speed.
I actually still was using my 6700k till 2 months ago on a z170 motherboard then i saw somebody selling his 8700k for a nice price and i switch over.
The performance increase is close to 0 in almost every task besides when i am packing and unpacking rar and zip files. In the games i do i see hardly any performance gains as well.
The only thing i am planning to update now is my graphics card, so i am kinda waiting for a very cheap AMD VII or if AMD releases the new big navy.
But the people who own the AMD VII tend to want to keep them because there had not been one for sale in many months for a reasonable price. The only one i saw was sold at a price above the release price when they came to market.....
So those who bought the cards seem to be content enough to not sell them at all.
So i am still stuck at my gtx 1070 and have no plans to pay a premium price for a next gen GPU.
@Orange_Swan i tend to buy only when i see a huge improvement for the tasks i do, if its below 3% increase i will not buy anything at all. So i sometimes keep running the same stuff sometimes even up to 12 years.
I got a huge amount of people who i help with their pc hardware and problems and almost everyone of them relies on my expertise to give them proper advise when they want some kinda upgrade.
Often i can asure them that even though the bragging bonus can be fun, they often will see no improvement at all if they buy a new system. So they wait till i tell them their system can be upgraded or replaced. In almost any case its the gpu which gets replaced by a second hand one in very rare situations i have to ask them to order a new one.
What i am saying is that even though they keep releasing new stuff, most people do not have a need to upgrade/update anything.
Actually for now there is absolute no need to have something faster at all for any game at all in the near future, because all will run fine with your current stuff.
I actually have several who have at least a titan from recent generation and still can not run their games at highest settings in 4K.
RealBeast - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
All of my builds since my Athlon have been Intel, but no way they'll suck me in on this Z490 1200 pin build, when their next decent CPUs will require something like a Z491 with 1201 pins. ;)Andrew LB - Saturday, May 9, 2020 - link
Intel has already said the next gen will still use LGA 1200 socket.WaltC - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Can't see much "exciting" about this...;)Oxford Guy - Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - link
It seems like a poster child for a Powerpoint on the inefficiencies of capitalism.Literally making another iteration of products "just because".