The Intel Z590 Motherboard Overview: 50+ Motherboards Detailed
by Gavin Bonshor on January 19, 2021 10:15 AM ESTChoosing The Right Z590 Motherboard
It has become typical for any new processor launch from Intel or AMD to release a series of new chipsets. What the new chipsets do (for the most part) is allow users to access new features, new controllers (sometimes), and use any new refinements made. Intel's new Z590 chipset is designed for its Rocket Lake (11th generation) processors, which are set to launch later in Q1 2021. One of the biggest factors to consider when upgrading or building a new Intel-based system is that Z590 is backwards compatiblity with Intel's 10th gen Comet Lake processors. This allows users planning to move to Rocket Lake upon release to use the current processors until then.
One of the most notable features of Intel's Z590, which a lot of vendors have applied, is USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C connectivity. It is even found on some vendor's lower-end options, including the MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi ($239). The USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C connectivity is now native to the chipset, whereas, on Z490, vendors had to implement additional ASMedia controllers (ASM3242) to accommodate this.
This is the same case for networking, with most models including 2.5 GbE (both Intel and/or Realtek, a couple Aquantia) as standard. We expect this to be a common trend for motherboards in the future. With this in mind, we've also seen the prices shift higher, which is a mixture of better controllers, features, PCIe 4.0, COVID-19, tariff relief ending, shipping charges, and perhaps a small uptick from Intel as well. All these push up the price. It's worth noting that ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI include Aquantia 10 GbE networking on its flagship models, with ASRock's Z590 Taichi the only model to include 5 GbE.
Many vendor's Z590 models also include three PCIe M.2 slots, with every Z590 model supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 in at least one of these ports, and some with two. A couple of the more mid-range models include four M.2 slots, including MSI's MEG Z590 Godlike flagship. Only one board includes U.2, which is the EVGA Z590 Dark, and four models include eight SATA ports.
Regardless of needs and requirements, whether that's specific features including storage, networking, connectivity, or audio, we have a handy table that specifies which model includes what feature.
Choosing the Right Z590 Motherboard | |||
If You Need | Then The Options Are | Size | Price |
10 Gigabit Ethernet | ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | E-ATX | $1843 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | E-ATX | $1166 | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | E-ATX | $1019 | |
Supermicro C9Z590-CGW | ATX | - | |
Supermicro C9Z590-CG | ATX | - | |
4 or more M.2 Slots | ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WIFI | ATX | $380 |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-F Gaming WIFI | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Pro AX | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision G | ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | E-ATX | $1019 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace | ATX | $489 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace Gold Edition | ATX | - | |
8 or more SATA Ports | ASRock Z590 Taichi | ATX | - |
EVGA Z590 Dark | E-ATX | - | |
5 or more USB 3.2 G2 Type-A | ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | E-ATX | $1843 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | E-ATX | $1166 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero | ATX | $500 | |
Biostar Z590 Valkyrie | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Master | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Elite AX | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Elite | ATX | - | |
Thunderbolt 4 | ASRock Z590 Taichi | ATX | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | E-ATX | $1843 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | E-ATX | $1166 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero | ATX | $500 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming WIFI | ITX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision D | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590I Vision D | ITX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | E-ATX | $1019 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace | ATX | $489 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace Gold Edition | ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590I Unify | ITX | - | |
BIOS Flashback Button | ASRock Z590 Taichi | ATX | - |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | E-ATX | $1843 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | E-ATX | $1166 | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero | ATX | $500 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-F Gaming WIFI | ATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WIFI | ATX | - | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming WIFI | ITX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Master | ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590I Aorus Ultra | ITX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | E-ATX | $1019 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace | ATX | $489 | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace Gold Edition | ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590I Unify | ITX | ||
MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WiFi | ATX | $324 | |
MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Force | ATX | $314 | |
MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi | ATX | $239 | |
MSI MAG Z590 Torpedo | ATX | - | |
E-ATX | ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | E-ATX | $1843 |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | E-ATX | $1166 | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | E-ATX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | E-ATX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | E-ATX | $1019 | |
Micro-ATX | ASUS Prime Z590M-Plus | M-ATX | $229 |
ASRock Z590M Pro4 | M-ATX | - | |
Colorful CVN Z590M Gaming Pro V20 | M-ATX | - | |
Colorful CVN Z590M Frozen V20 | M-ATX | - | |
MSI MPG Z590M Gaming Edge WiFi | M-ATX | - | |
Mini-ITX | ASRock Z590M-ITX/ac | ITX | - |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming WiFi | ITX | $459 | |
Biostar Z590I Valkyrie | ITX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590I Aorus Ultra | ITX | - | |
GIGABYTE Z590I Vision D | ITX | - | |
MSI MEG Z590I Unify | ITX | $329 |
Usually, we would also note which boards include a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec and its variants, including ASUS SupremeFX in the table. Still, it's quicker and easier to list which boards don't have it, as it's now a regular feature across Z590 boards. A few of the models are using the new Realtek 4000 series HD codecs, but at this time, Realtek hasn't officially unveiled the specifications.
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 ALC4082 | ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero | |
Realtek ALC4080 | ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WIFI |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-F Gaming WIFI | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-F Gaming WIFI | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming WIFI | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Ultra | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision G | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision D | |
MSI MAG Z590 Torpedo | |
Realtek S1200A | ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WIFI |
ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus | |
Realtek ALC897 | ASRock Z590 Steel Legend Wi-Fi 6E |
ASRock Z590 Steel Legend | |
ASRock Z590 Pro4 | |
ASRock Z590M Pro4 | |
ASRock Z590M-ITX/ac |
Wi-Fi 6E: New 6 GHz Band on Most Models
Not only have vendors capitalized on the need for uprated 2.5 GbE wired networking support across the vast majority of its models, but some vendors also have added Intel's latest AX210 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi into the mix. This is designed to allow users to use the new 6 GHz Wi-Fi band with non-overlapping channels. This is only available on routers with 6 GHz band capability; otherwise, it's nearly identical to Wi-Fi 6 with the aforementioned benefit to reduce congestion with multiple devices connected to a router. Below is a list of models that include the latest Intel AX210 or Killer Gaming variant, which an AX210 with additional Killer functionality.
Z590 Wi-Fi 6E Support | |
Wireless Interface | Boards |
Wi-Fi 6E | ASRock Z590 Taichi |
ASRock Z590 PG Velocita | |
ASRock Z590 Extreme Wi-Fi 6E | |
ASRock Z590 Steel Legend Wi-Fi 6E | |
ASRock Z590M-ITX/ac | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Extreme | |
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WIFI | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-F Gaming WIFI | |
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-I Gaming WIFI | |
Colorful iGame Z590 Vulcan X | |
Colorful iGame Z590 Vulcan W | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme WaterForce | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Xtreme | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Master | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Aorus Pro AX | |
GIGABYTE Z590 Vision D | |
GIGABYTE Z590I Vision D | |
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace | |
MSI MEG Z590 Ace Gold Edition | |
MSI MEG Z590I Unify | |
MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WiFi | |
MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi | |
MSI Z590 Pro WiFi |
As we receive updates from vendors with more information, we will endeavor to keep this Z590 overview updated and as often as possible.
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WaltC - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
If my x570 Aorus Master fan is "active", it has sure fooled me...;) It is not audible.Makaveli - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
I'm on a Asus Prime X570-Pro for just over a year now and I've not heard the chipset fan once totally overblown issue. Drama queens!Samus - Thursday, January 21, 2021 - link
I think it's impressive Intel kept a PCIe4.0 chipset down to 6w TDP. Definitely doesn't need active cooling.Slash3 - Sunday, January 24, 2021 - link
The chipset isn't Gen4.Spunjji - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
Not surprised if they're expecting users to overclock chips that will exceed 200W at stock settings. 😬YB1064 - Thursday, January 21, 2021 - link
Is it just me or are the MSRPs listed utterly insane? Intel has been relegated to a poor man's AMD, yet these crazy prices? As they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.Samus - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
I don't think it's actually the chipset costs that are inflating the price of the boards, but the ridiculous power circuit and components required to deliver over 200w of power to the CPU's in order for these board makers to take advantage of PL2.fundead - Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - link
I thought the active fan is for the 10 gig networking chip. It is facing that heatsink which is right next to the vrm heatsink.damianrobertjones - Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - link
Looking at the prices, I'm really, REALLY glad that I bought an AORUS Z490 Elite (£154, new) from eBay. I just don't understand the prices.aidan - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
I've just done exactly the same, no regrets whatsoever