ASUS Z490 motherboards comprehensively detailed in new leaks

Following the leak of two Asus Prime Z490 motherboards, Videocardz has recently shared new leaked slides detailing the ROG Strix Z490 motherboard series, the ROG Maximus XII motherboard series, the TUF Gaming Z490 motherboard series, and further details for the Prime motherboards.

Besides the Asus Prime Z490-P, and the Asus Prime Z490-A, there's also a Prime Z490M-Plus. Out of the three Prime motherboards, the Z490-A is the most feature-rich, with support to 4x DDR4 4600 memory, a 2.5Gb Intel I225-V network interface, and using the Realtek S1220A audio codec. The Z490-P is a toned-down version of the Z490-A with fewer connectivity options while using a Realtek 8111H network interface and the Realtek ALC887 audio codec. The Z490M-PLUS is the mATX motherboard of the bunch with specifications in between both previously mentioned Prime motherboards, using an Intel I219-V and the Realtek ALC887 audio codec.

The ROG Strix Z490 motherboard series is the most varied family, with eight models. All models use a 2.5Gb Intel I225-V network interface and the SupremeFX S1220A audio codec. All support 4x DDR4 4600 memory, except for the Z490-I mITX motherboard which supports 2x DDR4 4800 memory. Three models come with Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (Z490-I, Z490-G Wi-Fi, Z490-E). Besides the Z490-I mITX, there are two mATX motherboards and four ATX motherboards. The Z490-E seems to be the most advanced of the ROG Strix series, as per the slides shared by VideoCardz.

Image Credit: VideoCardz

Regarding the ROG Maximus XII motherboard series, there will be four models, all supporting Multi-GPU configurations and equipped with the 2.5Gb Intel I225-V network interface (except the M12H), SupremeFX S1220A audio codec, and Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201. The M12E is the only EATX motherboard of the four models, coming with a ThunderboltEX 3-TR card included, and equipped with a Marvell AQtion AQC107 supporting Ethernet connections of up to 10Gb.

The M12F seems to be an alternative version of the M12E designed for watercooling, equipped with the same Marvell AQtion AQC107 network interface. The M12A, unlike the other Maximus XII motherboards which support 4x DDR4 4800 memory, is configured for 2x DDR4 5000 memory, but it's not equipped with a Marvell network interface. The M12H also uses Intel I219-V networking and the Marvell AQtion AQC111 capable of 5Gb Ethernet connections, and it's the only option with a video output for onboard graphics.

The TUF Gaming Z490 series looks like the budget gaming line of motherboards, using the Intel I129-V interface, Intel Wi-Fi AX20, support for 4x DDR4 4600 memory. It's not confirmed, but it should be composed of two models, a standard model and a model with Wi-Fi, given the latest TUF Gaming motherboards launched.

In these slides, Asus also explains how it achieves the high memory-speeds, by using Optimem III, which uses a daisy chain approach to deliver the signal directly to the DIMM, instead of the usual T-topology.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the specifications of the upcoming Asus Z490 motherboards? Of these models, which one would you prefer for an Intel Comet Lake build?

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