The Intel Z490 Overview: 44+ Motherboards Examined
by Gavin Bonshor on April 30, 2020 10:00 AM ESTASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi
Once standing for a unique rugged range of thermal armor clad models designed for endurance, the TUF Sabertooth was a sought after bit of kit. Since after the Intel Z270 days, the TUF or The Ultimate Force brand took a bit of a transformation. These days the TUF brand signifies its entry-level gaming range and the ASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi and non-wireless enabled model adds some exciting features for gamers. These include support for up to 128 GB of DDR4-4600 memory, two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and two full-length PCIe 3.0 slots with support for AMD Crossfire multi-graphics card setups.
The ASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi and the Z490-Plus have, but one minor difference; the Wi-Fi version comes with an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface with support for BT 5.1 devices. Outside of this, the specifications are the same with two full-length PCI 3.0 slots which operate at x16/+4 and includes two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots. With a slight cut-out at the right-hand side of the board for more straightforward installation of SATA cables, there is six in total with two right-angled and four straight-angled SATA ports. The power delivery consists of a 12+2 design, which uses teamed DrMOS power stages, as opposed to high and low side MOSFETs from its previous iterations. Also interesting is ASUS has included a Thunderbolt 3 header to allow users to use TB3 add-on cards, even on its cheaper models.
Not the most explicit rear panel shot, but we will update as more images come in
On the rear panel is a single USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. A pair of video outputs consisting of an HDMI 1.4b, and DisplayPort 1.4 allow users to use Intel's integrated graphics. In contrast, five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a Realtek S1200A HD audio codec. For networking, there is a single Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet port, with the Wi-Fi model coming with an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface, while a PS/2 combo port sits to the left-hand side.
The ASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi is a robust looking entry-level model onto Intel's 10th generation, with plenty of support including a Thunderbolt 3 header, two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and comes with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless adapter. Some of the controller set to keep the TUF series within the budget remit had to be cut back on, which looks to be in the Ethernet and onboard audio, but both are still plenty for users to get to grips with. The ASUS TUF Z490-Plus Wi-Fi has an MSRP of $200 while the non-WiFi TUF Z490 Plus currently hasn't been given a price as of yet.
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Andrew LB - Saturday, May 9, 2020 - link
So these boards bring Wifi6, PCI-Express 4.0, gigabit 2.5, and for people like myself who are upgrading from a Z87 board.... just about everything is a huge leap.... yet you think there is just 'more of the same'? I guess if you're one of those idiots who buys a new CPU every year, then clearly this is not the release for you. Nor would AMD's latest offerings if that same metric is applied.So what's your problem with Capitalism? Do incremental design improvements offend you? Or is it profit that does? Hate to break it to you, but its profit motive that fuels innovation. Collectivism is a cancer and by its very nature hinders progress due to it not rewarding exceptionalism. It's why countries like China don't innovate. Otherwise they wouldn't need forced technology transfers from those who manufacture goods in their country.
Zenzdeluxe - Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - link
Thanks for that. The hypocrisy of these people. Imagine imbibing in the fruits of the capitalist system which besides continuing innovation, provides more spoils at lower price points for everyone than ever before. The audacity of such entitlement and seemingly collectivist / marxist based criticism is mind boggling. Cognitive dissonance off the scale indeed.ilkhan - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Details page for GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Pro AX (copy and paste because who can keep them straight otherwise) makes a big deal of no usb-C, but it's there in the picture...ecjp - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Yeah, I noticed that too. Gigabytes site shows same picture and lists "1 x USB Type-C™ port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support" in the specs, so I assume its an error in the article.gavbon - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
Thanks for picking that up. I must have been writing about the wrong board. Apologies, it's updatedregsEx - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
"Integrated into the Z490 chipset is an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi which allows motherboard vendors to integrate its AX200 wireless solutions directly from the chipset with a CRF module."CNVi is an old generation 802.11ac controller. Here it is CNVio2. CRF module is AX201. AX200 is a standalone controller that can work on any system. X570 motherboards with 802.11ax support, for example, packs with AX200 card.
lunaticbunny - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
There are no boards under $200. Seems like this Z490 chipset got the X570 inflation treatment as well.drexnx - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
just like the X570 boards, they've all got seriously beefed up VRMsand maybe the pcie4 tax wasn't just a cash grab? we'll really see when AMD B550 comes out, where those board prices land
Andrew LB - Saturday, May 9, 2020 - link
Plenty of boards under $200.ASUS Prime Z490M-PLUS
GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Elite
ASUS TUF Gaming Z490-Plus
ASUS TUF Gaming Z490-Plus wifi
GIGABYTE Z490 UD
MSI Z490-A PRO ProSeries
A bunch of Asrock boards will be under $200 as well. You can see many prices already on Amazon.
dgingeri - Friday, May 1, 2020 - link
It looks like, potentially, at least Gigabyte has decided to include a decent number of USB ports. I can't tell with the Asus board, but all the rest look to have only 6 USB ports, an annoyingly small number. I have been really annoyed with the lack of USB ports on boards for the last 5 years. Heck, with the old 440BX boards, we had 2 ps2, 4 or 6 USB, 1 or 2 serial, and a parallel port. We've lost the other ports, and internal drives in most computers, and not gained USB ports to compensate for it. External hubs aren't going to do it, either, as those stupid things keep dying in a matter of months.