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Building a PC around Intel’s new Core Ultra chips and not sure which Z890 motherboard to buy? Let me make this easy.
Just to give you the quick rundown with my suggestions: for budget builders, I’d go with the ASRock Z890 Pro-A. If you want the best balance overall, my top pick is the ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi.
Prefer something more compact? For micro-ATX, I like the ASRock Z890M Riptide, and for mini-ITX builds, the ASUS ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi is the one to get.
And finally, if you want a premium, no-compromise motherboard, that’s the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero.
Alright, let’s go through each one to see why I picked these so you can figure out which is the right fit for your build.
Things To Consider When Buying a Z890 Motherboard
Choosing the right Z890 motherboard isn’t just about the price tag—it’s about making sure the board matches your CPU, use case, and future upgrade plans. Here’s a deeper breakdown of the most important factors:
VRM & Power Delivery
- Why it matters: The VRM (voltage regulator module) powers your CPU. Stronger VRMs mean more stability under load and better overclocking potential.
- Budget boards (like the ASRock Z890 Pro-A) usually have 14–16 phase VRMs rated around 60–70A. These are perfectly fine for Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 CPUs, but they’ll run hotter with an Ultra 9 285K if you plan to overclock.
- Premium boards (like the ASUS Maximus Z890 Hero) push 20+ phase VRMs rated 90–110A each, designed to keep high-core CPUs stable even at unlocked power limits.
- Takeaway: If you’re a gamer running at stock speeds, you don’t need a monster VRM setup. But if you’re investing in a flagship CPU or plan to overclock, prioritize VRM cooling and phase count.
Form Factor: ATX, Micro-ATX, or Mini-ITX
- ATX (Full-Size): The standard choice with the most expansion slots, VRM phases, and connectivity. Best for versatile builds with multiple GPUs, capture cards, or extra NVMe drives.
- Micro-ATX (mATX): A middle ground—smaller and more affordable, but with fewer PCIe slots. Good if you want compactness without going all the way down to ITX.
- Mini-ITX (mITX): Ultra-compact, often with premium pricing. Perfect for small form factor PCs, but you sacrifice DIMM slots (usually two), fewer M.2 slots, and limited I/O.
- Takeaway: Go ATX unless you have specific space restrictions or are building a portable SFF rig.
Memory Support & DIMM Layout
- Z890 is all about DDR5 memory, and speeds matter.
- Entry-level boards often support DDR5 up to 8000 MT/s, while premium models push well past 9200 MT/s for extreme overclockers.
- Check DIMM slot count: ATX boards usually have four slots (up to 192–256 GB), while ITX boards often have only two (max 96 GB).
- Look for Q-DIMM latches or single-sided clips that make RAM installation easier, especially in cramped cases.
- Takeaway: For gaming, DDR5-6000 to 7200 is the sweet spot—higher speeds are mostly for benchmarking or specialized workloads.
Storage Options (M.2 & SATA)
- M.2 NVMe slots: Z890 boards typically include between 3 and 5 slots. At least one will be PCIe 5.0 x4, with the rest being Gen 4.
- Thermal design matters: Some cheaper boards only put dual-sided thermal pads on the primary slot, leaving the others bare. This affects SSD temps.
- SATA ports: Still relevant if you’re using HDDs or older SSDs. Budget boards might have just 2–4, while premium boards offer 6+.
- Takeaway: Two to three M.2 slots are enough for most gamers. Creators or workstation users should look for boards with 4+ M.2 slots and better heatsinks.
PCIe Slots & GPU Support
- All Z890 motherboards offer PCIe Gen 5 x16 for the GPU. The difference is how many reinforced slots and secondary slots you get.
- Budget boards: 1 reinforced PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, maybe one Gen 3/4 x4 slot.
- High-end boards: Dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for multi-GPU setups or heavy expansion cards.
- Takeaway: Unless you’re running multiple GPUs (rare today), one Gen 5 slot is enough. Reinforced slots are a nice bonus for heavy GPUs.
Connectivity & Networking
- Ethernet: Most Z890 boards include 2.5 Gb LAN, while premium models step up to 5 Gb or even 10 Gb LAN.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 is quickly becoming standard on mid-range and high-end boards. Budget boards may skip wireless altogether.
- USB Ports:
- Budget boards → Around 6–8 ports, usually capped at 10–20 Gbps.
- Premium boards → 12–14 ports, with Thunderbolt 4/USB4 support at up to 40 Gbps.
- Takeaway: Gamers can stick with 2.5 Gb LAN + Wi-Fi 7, while content creators may want USB4/Thunderbolt for external drives and docks.
Aesthetics & Build Features
- Design: TUF and ROG = gamer styling with RGB, while ProArt/PRIME = professional, clean looks.
- Ease of use: Look for tool-less M.2 latches, PCIe quick-release, debug LEDs, and BIOS Flashback buttons. These can save hours of frustration.
- RGB control: Premium boards usually come with multiple RGB/ARGB headers, while budget ones may skip onboard lighting entirely.
- Takeaway: Pick aesthetics that match your build theme—but don’t underestimate the value of DIY-friendly features if this is your first build.
Upgrade Path & Longevity
- Z890 uses the new LGA1851 socket, designed for Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs.
- Expect at least one or two more CPU generations on this platform, meaning your board will support future chips without a full rebuild.
- Takeaway: If you’re planning multiple GPU or CPU upgrades in the next 3–4 years, investing in a stronger Z890 board makes sense.
5 Best z890 Motherboards Reviews
ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-I GAMING WIFI – Best Mini-iTX z890 Motherboard
Normally, choosing a mini-ITX board means making some compromises on high-end performance, but with the ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-I GAMING, that’s not the case. Despite its compact size, this board packs in all the premium features you’d want, including dual PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slots, DDR5 support up to a whopping 9200 MT/s, and a reinforced PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for full-size GPUs.
It does feature a lighter power stage design of 10+2+1+1 compared to standard ATX boards, but for an ITX motherboard it still delivers impressive performance. The substantial heatsinks help maintain stability even when paired with a CPU like the Core Ultra 9 285K. On top of that, you get WiFi 7, dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, so it’s just as stacked on the connectivity front as many larger boards. ASUS also includes their excellent proprietary ROG Hive module for added I/O.
That being said, there are a few strong alternatives in the mini-ITX category worth considering. The MSI MPG Z890I Edge Ti WiFi, for instance, pushes CPU and NPU overclocking further with beefier VRMs and MSI’s AI/OC tuning tools. It also offers 5 Gb LAN, four M.2 slots, HDMI 2.1, and Thunderbolt 4, making it one of the stronger options if you want more features and tuning flexibility. Meanwhile, the Gigabyte Z890I AORUS Ultra stands out as the most affordable choice for those prioritizing cost over features. But due to its cheap price, it has the lightest VRM design (only eight real Vcore phases), weaker overclocking potential, and fewer ports. Still, when you balance power delivery, thermal design, premium connectivity, and overall reliability, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-I Gaming WiFi edges out both.
So, if you want a mini-ITX board that delivers flagship-level features without compromise, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-I Gaming WiFi is the one to beat. It combines robust VRMs, efficient thermal handling, and premium connectivity into a well-balanced package, making it more reliable long term than MSI’s performance-focused Edge Ti and more feature-rich than Gigabyte’s budget-friendly AORUS Ultra.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Dual PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slots in such a small board
- Excellent external ROG Hive module for added I/O
- High-speed DDR5 support
On the downside
- One of the pricier Mini-ITX options
ASRock Z890M Riptide WiFi – Best Micro ATX z890 Motherboard
It offers a well-balanced feature set in a micro‑ATX form factor, including PCIe 5.0 x16 for GPUs, one PCIe Gen 5 M.2 (Blazing) slot, one PCIe 4.0 M.2, and one PCIe 4.0/SATA combo M.2 for storage, giving you three total M.2 slots. Its 16+1+1+1+1 phase VRM design with 80 A Dr. MOS power stages ensures stable power delivery for Intel’s high-end CPUs, while the larger heatsinks help keep thermals under control during heavy workloads.
Memory support is equally strong, with DDR5 speeds up to 9466+ MHz (OC) and four DIMM slots for a total of 256 GB capacity, making it a good choice for multitasking or light content creation. ASRock also includes Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5 Gb LAN, and a solid mix of rear USB ports. There is little to complain about here. While it only offers one PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot, that is not a major compromise when you are still getting high-speed storage, strong networking, and plenty of memory capacity in a smaller footprint, all at a price that feels fair for what it offers.
That said, this isn’t your only micro-ATX choice. The Gigabyte Z890M AORUS Elite WiFi7 is one alternative, although it trails the ASRock slightly with no Thunderbolt 4, lower memory overclocking headroom, and a smaller VRM setup. That said, for those who want a trusted budget mATX AORUS board with Wi-Fi connectivity and USB4 support, it is still worth a look. It delivers reliable performance, comes at a lower price, and features a clean white design that is perfect for white-themed builds. For most users, though, the ASRock Z890M Riptide WiFi checks all the boxes, whether that means premium features, strong performance, or DIY conveniences.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Strong VRMs
- Fast memory support and four DIMM slots despite the smaller size
- DIY-friendly touches
On the downside
- Only one PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot
- No Wi-Fi 7
ASRock Z890 Pro-A – Best Budget z890 Motherboard
Despite its affordable price, it delivers most of what you would expect from the chipset. This includes solid overclocking potential with a 16+1+1+1+1 phase power delivery, single-click memory overclocking up to 9066 MHz, three PCIe slots, four M.2 slots, and four SATA ports, giving you plenty of storage options.
Due to budget limitations, this board does drop Wi-Fi and Bluetooth entirely, but it does feature a 2.5G LAN port for a solid wired connection. The rear I/O is fairly basic but practical. You get a Thunderbolt 4 port supporting 40 Gbps, a single 20 Gbps port, a single 10 Gbps port, two 5 Gbps ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Considering the price, this is still a reasonable and functional setup.
Aside from the lack of Wi-Fi, the Z890 Pro-A is hard to beat in its category. Alternatives worth mentioning include the ASUS PRIME Z890-P WIFI, which offers a robust VRM design, Wi-Fi 7, and onboard Thunderbolt 4, and the GIGABYTE Z890 Eagle WIFI7, which focuses more on memory overclocking (up to DDR5-9200 MT/s) but has slightly lighter VRMs than the ASUS. That said, if you can live without built-in wireless connectivity or are fine with adding your own Wi-Fi adapter, the ASRock Z890 Pro-A remains the most budget-friendly choice. However, if no Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is a dealbreaker, both the ASUS and Gigabyte boards are worthy alternatives.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Plenty of storage options
- Solid power delivery and overclocking potential
- Practical I/O setup
On the downside
- No wireless connectivity or Bluetooth support
ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero – Best Premium z890 Motherboard
This board offers a 22+1+2+2 VRM power phase design, allowing it to unleash the full potential of chips like the Core Ultra 9 285K without breaking a sweat. Design-wise, the Z890 Hero is an all-black motherboard with dark heatsinks and a sophisticated aesthetic that makes it a perfect fit for black or dark-themed gaming setups.
This is a full-size ATX motherboard, so it will not fit inside a small PC case. However, its larger footprint allows for extensive heatsinks over the I/O and NVMe slots. It features four RAM slots with support for up to 192 GB of DDR5 memory and speeds of over 9200 MT/s (OC). You also get PCIe 5.0 support for both the GPU and storage devices, along with Wi-Fi 7, dual LAN options at 2.5 Gb and 5 Gb, and plenty of high-speed connectivity. The rear I/O, however, might feel a bit limited for the price, offering only three Type-C ports and four 10 Gbps Type-A ports.
That said, the Maximus Z890 Hero is a pricey motherboard, but it earns its place for enthusiasts who want the most refined ROG experience. With premium power delivery, advanced cooling, robust BIOS options, and extras like onboard diagnostic tools, it stands out as the most hassle-free choice for overclocking and stability. Those who want something similar at a lower cost might look at the ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming, which brings nearly the same Thunderbolt support, Wi-Fi 7, PCIe 5.0, and Q-Design features, though with less polish in power delivery.
Another alternative is the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X, geared toward specialized memory-tuned builds. It does come with fewer slots and lacks a debug LED panel but if you’re chasing memory-focused performance, it is definitely worth taking a look.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Outstanding VRM design for overclocking
- Clean design and aesthetics
- Plenty of high-speed connectivity
On the downside
- Not a great fit for low profile builds
- The rear I/O USB support feels a bit limited
- Very expensive
ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi – Our Top Choice
This board offers the best balance between price, performance, and features. For starters, it comes with a robust 16+1+2+1 power stage setup, large VRM heatsinks, and excellent memory support with DDR5 speeds up to 9066+MT/s (OC). You also get PCIe 5.0 x16 for GPUs and a PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot for storage, ensuring next-gen speed where it matters most.
Networking and connectivity are equally well-rounded, with Wi-Fi 7, Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and a healthy mix of rear I/O that includes USB 20 Gbps Type-C, multiple USB-A ports, HDMI, and DisplayPort for integrated graphics. Adding to its user-friendliness, ASUS includes reinforced PCIe slots and M.2 Q-Latch fittings for tool-free storage installation. With every box ticked, this motherboard fits almost any kind of build without overcomplicating things or overshooting most budgets.
That being said, depending on your needs, there are worthy alternatives to consider. The ASRock Z890 Riptide WiFi, for instance, offers the most (five) M.2 ports, along with a slightly higher-rated VRM phase count, making it ideal for those who want maximum SSD expansion and strong overclocking headroom. The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is another solid option with similar specifications to the ASUS board, but MSI’s EZ DIY touches, like tool-free M.2 clips and a PCIe release lever, make it more build-friendly for first-time builders.. But if you ask for the most dependable all-rounder, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi is my main recommendation for a reason. Its overall reliability, balanced thermals, and stable power delivery for high-end Intel CPUs like the Core Ultra 9 285K make it the perfect choice for users who want a durable, hassle-free platform without compromising on features.
To sum up, what I like is…
- Strong all-round VRM and cooling design
- PCIe Gen 5 support for both GPU and storage
- User-friendly touches
On the downside
- Slightly limited number of M.2 slots
FAQs
1. Is Z890 only for overclockers?
No. While Z890 supports overclocking, it’s also Intel’s flagship consumer chipset, meaning even non-overclockers benefit from features like PCIe Gen 5, faster DDR5, and improved connectivity.
2. Do I need a Z890 board for Intel Core Ultra CPUs?
Not strictly. Some cheaper chipsets like B860 and H870 also support Intel’s new CPUs, but Z890 gives you the best power delivery, memory support, and upgrade flexibility.
3. What’s the difference between Z890 and Z890E motherboards?
The Z890E variants typically add more PCIe lanes, better VRMs, and extra I/O like multiple Gen 5 M.2 slots or dual USB4 ports, making them better suited for enthusiasts and creators.
4. Will a budget Z890 board handle the Core Ultra 9 285K?
It can run, but heavy overclocking will push VRMs beyond their comfort zone. If you’re pairing with a flagship CPU, aim for a mid-range or premium Z890 with stronger power delivery.
5. How many M.2 slots should I look for?
For most gamers, two Gen 4/5 M.2 slots are plenty. Content creators or workstation users may want four or more for multiple NVMe drives.
6. Does every Z890 motherboard support Wi-Fi 7?
No. Budget boards like the ASRock Z890 Pro-A lack wireless entirely. If Wi-Fi 7 is important, check the specs before buying.
7. Is DDR5-9200 memory support necessary?
Not for gaming. Faster DDR5 helps in benchmarks and some productivity apps, but most users won’t notice much difference beyond DDR5-6000 to 7200.
8. What’s the best form factor for gaming PCs?
ATX offers the best balance of price, features, and expandability. Go mATX for smaller builds without losing too much, or mini-ITX if portability/space is your main priority.
9. Are Z890 motherboards future-proof?
Yes. The LGA1851 socket and Z890 chipset will support future Intel Core Ultra CPUs, giving you a decent upgrade runway.
10. Which Z890 board is the best all-rounder?
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PLUS WiFi hits the sweet spot for most users. It balances strong VRMs, Gen 5 support, Wi-Fi 7, and good pricing without going overboard.
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