Today sees the unveiling of Intel’s Z390 chipset, featuring support for the next-gen CPUs alongside the current 8th Gen processors. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming motherboard builds upon this chipset with the usual ROG style.
ASUS ROG Strix motherboards have become increasingly popular amongst the enthusiast and gamers markets, mainly for their unique styling and dedication to the RGB scene. This time around, with the Z390-E Gaming, we get an even darker guise, shedding most of its flashier components.
Under the hood, the Z390 chipset offers support for the next-gen Intel CPUs as well as the current 8th Generation Core CPUs. We also get mutli-GPU compatibility with NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossfireX, a pair of NVMe M.2 slots, with heatsinks, and SupremeFX audio.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming conforms to the ATX form factor and appears to offer everything a budding enthusiast would require, which includes support for the 8th Gen Intel Core CPUs and the next-gen Intel CPUs.
ASUS ROG on the Strix Z390-E Gaming
customization with Aura. But it’s the functional elements of the Strix Z390-E that bring real shine to the
show. A pre-mounted rear I/O cover is now standard, making for a better fit than the finger slicers shipped with most motherboards. Both M.2 slots feature heatsinks ready to tame the latest high-performance SSDs, and untethered network connections get an upgrade to Intel’s 2X2 802.11AC Wireless-AC 9560 controller, which is capable of transfer rates up to 1.73Gbps.
Technical Specifications
Note: The specifications are subject to change without notice.
CPU
Socket 1151 for 8th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors
Supports 14nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*
*Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU type
**Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset Intel® Z390 Chipset
Memory
4 x DIMM, max. 64GB DDR4
4266(OC)*/4133(OC)*/4000(OC)*/3866(OC)*/3733(OC)*/3600(OC)*/3466(OC)*/3400(OC)*/3
333(OC)*/3300(OC)*/3200(OC)*/3000(OC)*/2800(OC)*/2666/2400/2133 MHz, non-ECC, unbuffered
memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Please refer
to Memory QVL(Qualified Vendors List) for details.
Expansion Slots
Socket 1151 for 9th / 8th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® processors
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16, x8/x8)
Intel® Z390 Chipset
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (max. at x4 mode)*
3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
*The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with SATA6G_56. The PCIe x16_3 is set at x2 mode by
default.
Graphic
Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® UHD Graphics support
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort
– Supports DisplayPort 1.2 with max. resolution 4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
– Supports HDMI 1.4b with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 30Hz
Multi-GPU Support
Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way/Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD® 3-Way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage
Intel® Z390 Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and Intel Rapid Storage Technology support
– 1 x M.2_1 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes)*
– 1 x M.2_2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 mode)
– 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
– Intel® OptaneTM Memory Ready
* When the M.2_1 Socket 3 is operating in SATA mode, SATA port 2 will be disable.
LAN
Intel® I219-V Gigabit LAN- Dual interconnect between the integrated Media Access Controller
(MAC) and physical layer (PHY)
Anti-surge LANGuard
ROG GameFirst V technology
Wireless Data Network
Intel® Wireless-AC 9560
2 x 2 Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac supports dual frequency band 2.4/5 GHz
Supports channel bandwidth: HT20/HT40/HT80/HT160. Up to 1.73Gbps transfer speed
Bluetooth Bluetooth v5.0*
Audio
ROG SupremeFX S1220A 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback*
– Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
– High quality 120dB SNR stereo playback output and 113dB SNR recording input
– SupremeFX Shielding Technology
– Dual OP Amplifiers
– Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, and Front Panel Jack-retasking
– Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
Audio Features:
– Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Link
– Sonic Radar III
*Due to limitations in HDA bandwidth, 32-Bit/192kHz is not supported for 8-Channel audio.
USB
Intel® Z390 Chipset
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector
– 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (3 Type-A [red] and 1 Type-C [black] at back panel)
– 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (2 ports at back panel [blue], 2 ports at mid-board)
– 6 x USB 2.0 ports ( 2 ports at back panel [black], 4 ports at mid-board)
ROG Exclusive Features
ROG RAMCache III
ROG GameFirst V
ROG CPU-Z
ROG Overwolf
Special Feature
Aura
– Aura Lighting Control
– Aura RGB Strip Headers
– Aura Lighting Effects Synchronization with compatible ASUS ROG devices
– Aura Addressable Strip Header
ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
– 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU Insight, EPU Guidance, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Expert 4, and Turbo App
Gamer’s Guardian
– Procool
– SafeSlot
– DIGI+ VRM
– DRAM Overcurrent Protection
– ESD Guards on VGA, LAN, Audio and USB3.1/2.0 ports
– Highly Durable Components
ASUS Exclusive Features
– Armoury crate
– Pre-mounted I/O Shield
– ASUS NODE: hardware control interface
– OptiMem II
– 3D Printing Friendly design
– AI Suite 3
– MemOK! II
– AI Charger
ASUS EZ DIY
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 3
ASUS Q-Design
– Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
– Q-Slot
– Q-DIMM
Back I/O Ports
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
1 x HDMI port
1 x DP port
2 x USB2.0 ports
2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 ports [blue]
4 x USB3.1 Gen2 ports (3 x Type-A [red] and 1 x Type-C ports [black])
1 x Anti-surge LAN (RJ45) port
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v5.0.)
5 x Audio jacks
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
Internal I/O Ports
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 header supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIe
3.0 x 4 modes)
1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIe 3.0 x
4 mode)
1 x 4-Pin CPU FAN connector
1 x 4-Pin CPU_OPT fan connector
2 x 4-Pin Chassis fan connectors
1 x M.2 FAN connector
1 x 4-Pin AIO_PUMP connector
1 x 4-Pin W_PUMP+ connector
1 x EXT_FAN header
1 x Thermal sensor connector
1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V power connector
2 x Aura RGB headers
1 x Addressable header
1 x MemOK! II switch
1 x Node connector
1 x Clear CMOS jumper (2-pin)
1 x COM port
1 x TPM header
1 x CPU OV header
1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
1 x System panel connector
Accessories
Support DVD
User guide
1 x 2×2 dual-band Wi-Fi antennas
2 x 2-in-1 SATA 6Gb/s cables
1 x SLI™ HB Bridge (2-WAY-M)
1 x Extension Cable for RGB Strips (80cm)
1 x Extension Cable for Addressable LED Strips (80cm)
1 x 4010 Fan
1 x Fan screws package
1 x M.2 Screw Package
1 x ROG Strix door hanger
1 x ROG Strix Thank you card
1 x cable tie pack
1 x ROG Strix series sticker
BIOS 1 x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, SM BIOS 3.1, ACPI 6.1
Manageability WOL , PXE
Support DVD
Drivers
ASUS Utilities
EZ Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Operating
System Support Windows® 10 64-bit
Form Factor
ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
Box, Bundle & First Look
The Z390-E has attractive packaging which is indicative of the ROG portfolio. A depiction of the motherboard can seen on the on the front, along with the supporting technologies, while on the reverse there is a schematic diagram with significant features listed.
Inside the box all of the accessories are sectioned off into compartment and we receive quite a number of included items. Here is a list of these parts:
• User Guide
• Software/Driver CD
• 1 x 2×2 dual-band Wi-Fi antennas
• 2 x 2-in-1 SATA 6Gb/s cables
• 1 x SLI™ HB Bridge (2-WAY-M)
• 1 x Extension Cable for RGB Strips (80cm)
• 1 x Extension Cable for Addressable LED Strips (80cm)
• 1 x 4010 Fan
• 1 x Fan screws package
• 1 x M.2 Screw Package
• 1 x ROG Strix door hanger
• 1 x ROG Strix Thank you card
• 1 x cable tie pack 1 x ROG Strix series sticker
Although we receive an SLI bridge with this motherboard, it is only compatible with GTX 10-Series graphics cards – such as the GTX 1070, 1080 and 1080 Ti, since it is a HB Bridge. Therefore, the new NVIDIA RTX 20-series graphic cards are not compatible.
We use to seeing some impressive designs from the ROG team and the Z390-E is no exception. This motherboard oozes style and finesse. So far, it’s our favourite choice – going on looks alone.
The PCB is black but features a semi-matt finish, all of the slots and ports are black and there is a mixture of black/gunmetal heatsinks. With such a neutral theme, it’ll be easy to pair up this motherboard with a whole host of other hardware without colours mismatching.
Z390-E conforms to the ATX form factor, measuring in at 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm.
Closer Look
With the switch to Intel’s Z390 chipset, we maintain the same LGA1151 socket, only with beefed up and improved power delivery circuitry. Two separate heatsinks, with a brushed steel appearance, are responsible for keeping temperatures in check; though if some serious overclocking is on the cards, the mount above the left heatsink is there to attach the included 4010 fan, with the aim of improving heat dissipation considerably.
Power delivery is provided by a single 8-pin CPU power connection. We tend to find an 8+4 or even 8+8 on higher end models such as this, but ASUS are obviously confident that a single 8-pin is sufficient.
4-pin PWM fan headers are plentiful in this region, with two to the South-West of the socket and two to the North-East
Dual-channel memory is the same on the latest Z390 chipset, when compared to the previous Z370. Four DIMM slots provide a maximum of 64GB with speeds up to 4266MHz (Overclocked). Optimem II is utilised here, with special shielding on the DRAM channels for improved performance and stability.
Here we also see the 24-pin ATX power connector as well as a USB 3.1 Gen. 2 front adaptor.
While NVMe M.2 storage becomes more popular, HDDs are still the go-to for large storage platforms. ASUS provide a bank of six SATA 3.0 ports, at a right-angle from the motherboard.
Checking out the PCI slots from above, we can see there are the following:
• 3x PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots (Modes: 16, 8, 4)
• 4x PCI-e 3.0 x1 slots
Along with AMD CrossfireX and NVIDIA SLI, NVIDIA® NVLink is also available – giving support for dual NVIDIA GeForce® RTX series graphics cards.
NVMe SSD drives are known for throttling because of their extreme performance and massive heat build up. ASUS ROG have made an attempt to delay, or even entirely prevent, the thermal throttling with the NVMe heatsinks. These heatsinks are on both slots and come with a pre-applied thermal interface material.
Both M.2 ports offer full PCI-E x4 speeds.
On the bottom-left of the motherboard we find the audio components, isolated from interference by a trace through the board, helping to ensure sounds are clear and heard as they should be. The ROG SupremeFX S1220A 8-channel processor is accompanied by several audio caps.
The rear IO shield is pre-attached, saving for any sliced fingers and/or the embarrassment of forgetting to install it.
From left to right, we have the following:
– 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
– 2x USB 2.0 ports
– 2x USB 3.1 Gen. 2 ports (Type A & C)
– 1x DisplayPort
– 1x HDMI Port
– 2x USB 3.1 Gen. 2 ports
– 1x Intel® I219-V Gigabit LAN
– 2x USB 3.1 Gen. 1 ports
– 2x Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 antenna adaptors
– 5x 3.5mm Audio jacks
– 1x Optical SPDIF out
It’s good to see plenty of connectivity on a mid-level board, but it’s about time we saw the back of USB 2.0 ports and moved fully to 3.0 or above.
CLOSING WORDS
Unfortunately that’s all we can bring you for now, but the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming seems tooffer plenty of potential.We’ll be back later to bring you our verdict on performance in the near future. Watch this space.
