Intel Z390 is the new chipset for Intel’s 9th generation and 8th generation Coffee Lake and Coffee Lake-S processors having LGA 1151 Socket. It is the successor of the Z370 chipset, which is a high-end chipset for Intel 8th generation processors with an LGA 11551 socket. Intel 9th generation processors can also work on Z370 motherboards but you need to update your BIOS for it. So, if you already have a Z370 motherboard then you do not need to upgrade to a Z390 motherboard, but if you are building a completely new PC from scratch then getting the latest Z390 motherboard for Intel 9th generation processor is a much better decision. The latest Intel 9th Generation Core series processors include Core i9-9900K, Core i7-9700K, and Core i5-9600K, where Core i9-9900K is the top-end processor having 8 cores and 16 threads, Core i7-9700K is also an 8-core processor but with 8-threads only and Core i5-9600K is a 6-core processor with 6 threads.
The main difference between Z370 and Z390 motherboards is that the Z390 motherboards can include up to six USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports @10Gbps (zero present in Z370), supports integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi, include integrated SDXC (SDA 3.0) support, and a newer Intel Management Engine (IME) firmware version. Other than that, it has the same features as in Z370 motherboards that include Overclocking support, Intel Optane Memory support, up to 64GB memory support in dual channel mode, and includes 24 PCI-Express 3.0 Lanes. Also, Z390 motherboards may perform better at overclocking compared to Z370 motherboards. To help out users in selecting the right Z390 motherboards, Here I am going to list down the best budget Z390 motherboards, best mid-range Z390 motherboards, and top Z390 motherboards for building an Intel 9th Generation gaming PC or workstation PC.
Major Differences between Z370 and Z390 Chipsets
| Z370 | Z390 | |
| USB 3.1 Gen 2 Ports | 0 | 6 |
| Integrated WiFi 802.11ac | No | Yes |
| Intel ME Firmware Version | 11 | 12 |
Read also: Best Budget H370, B360 & H310 Motherboards
Budget Z390 Motherboards
Here are the best budget Z390 motherboards for users on a tight budget. These motherboards are good for building a budget to mid-range gaming PC with Intel 9th generation CPUs, but they are not recommended for high-end overclocking.
Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard
If you are on a tight budget and do not want to spend much on a motherboard then Gigabyte Z390 UD is one of the cheapest Z390 ATX motherboards that you can find. It is a basic Z390 motherboard with no frills and thrills but is enough for building a gaming PC and a work PC on a relatively low budget. The motherboard does lack USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports and Integrated WiFi which is understandable because of its lower price. However, it comes with all basic features and ports that include three PCI-E x16 slots supporting 2-Way CrossFire, three PCI-E x1 slots for add-on cards, M.2 port for SATA SSD and NVMe SSD, DDR4 RAM 4000 (O.C.) support up to 64GB and has got eight USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports.
Other features of this motherboard include onboard 8-channel audio, Gigabit gaming LAN, PCIe Armor Slot, 10+2 Phases Digital VRM, Intel Optane Memory Ready, RGB Pin header, Overclocking support and for display connectivity, it has got one HDMI port at the rear. Overall, a decent motherboard for the money and a good choice for budget users.
| Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Support for Intel 9000 Processors and 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors/Intel Core i5 processors/Intel Core i3 processors/Intel Pentium processors/Intel Celeron processors in the LGA1151 package |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4000 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual-channel |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 1 (PCIe Gen3 X4) |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 8, USB 2.0 x 2 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, 7.1 Channel Audio, Realtek Gaming LAN, AMD 2-Way CrossFire support, PCIe Armor Slot, 10+2 Phases Digital VRM, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support |
| Display Output | HDMI |
Buy Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard
ASUS Prime Z390-P Motherboard
ASUS Prime Z390-P is an excellent budget Z390 motherboard that comes with more features and expansion ports compared to the above-mentioned Gigabyte Z390 UD but at a bit extra price. It is an ATX motherboard and comes with two PCI-E x16 slots, four PCI-E x1 slots for add-on cards, dual M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA Solid State Drives, and supports DDR4 4266 (O.C.) RAM. The motherboard features two high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports for ultra-fast data transfer. It also supports CrossFireX multi-GPU technology for AMD graphics cards.
The build quality and performance of this motherboard are good and it is also very stable during overclocking. It has got only four SATA ports as opposed to six found in most of the Z390 motherboards and it does not come with integrated WiFi. Features include 8-channel audio, Gigabit LAN, Asus SafeSlot for supporting heavy graphics cards, Intel Optane Memory Ready and for Display connectivity, it has got an HDMI and DisplayPort at back. In my opinion, it is a very good motherboard that contains almost all the goodies of the Z390 chipset and is quite affordable too compared to other Z390 motherboards with a gaming tag.
| ASUS Prime Z390-P Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4266 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 2, PCI-E x1 x 2, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 4, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 8, USB 2.0 x 3 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 8 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, Supports AMD CrossFireX Technology, Asus SafeSlot |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy ASUS Prime Z390-P Motherboard
MSI Z390-A PRO Motherboard
This is a budget Z390 motherboard from MSI which is one of the top manufacturers of motherboards and is mainly known for its gaming motherboards and graphics cards. Here we have MSI Z390-A PRO which is an ATX motherboard and can fit quite easily in mid-tower cases and larger PC cases. It is a basic motherboard that has got two PCI-E x16 slots that support 2-Way AMD CrossFire, four PCI-E x1 slots for add-on cards, Turbo M.2 slot running at PCI-E Gen3 x4 speed for NVMe SSDs, 64GB DDR4 RAM up to 4400 MHz (OC) and PCI-E Steel Armor for supporting bulky graphics cards.
The motherboard also comes with one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A and one USB Type-C port which is normally not found in a budget segment motherboard. Other features include UEFI BIOS, Audio Boost, DDR4 Boost, Overclocking, Gigabit LAN, Heavy plated heatsinks, 7.1 channel Realtek onboard audio, and for display connectivity it includes VGA and DVI-D port at the rear. The motherboard supports Windows 10 64-bit operating system. In all, a good ATX motherboard for the price.
| MSI Z390-A PRO Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4400(OC), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 2, PCI-E x1 x 4, M.2 x 1 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 6, USB 2.0 x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C x 1 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, Audio Boost, Steel armor PCI-E slot, Supports 2-Way AMD Crossfire, DDr4 Boost |
| Display Output | VGA, DVI-D |
Buy MSI Z390-A PRO Motherboard
MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS Motherboard
MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS is a gaming-grade budget Z390 motherboard for users who are on a budget but want a Z390 motherboard with gaming features and performance. This ATX motherboard comes with Red and Black color scheme that gives it a modern and gaming look. Also, it comes with all the essential gaming features that you would expect from a gaming motherboard. It comes with two PCI-E x16 slots (supports AMD CrossFire), four PCI-E x1 slots for expansion cards, Turbo M.2 slots for NVMe PCI-Express Gen3 x4 SSDs, DDR4 RAM up to 4400 in OC mode and supports Intel CNVi Wi-Fi module, IEEE802.11 AC wave2.
The motherboard features gaming heatsinks for better cooling of the northbridge or chipset, and for protecting graphics cards against bending and EMI it has got PCI-E Steel Armor slot. Other features of this gaming motherboard include Intel Gigabit LAN, Realtek 8 channel audio, UEFI BIOS, Core Boost, Game Boost, DDR4 Boost, Audio Boost, Golden Audio Jacks, and an HDMI port for display output. So, if you are in search of a cheap gaming motherboard based on the Z390 chipset then this is a great choice.
| MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4400 (OC), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 2, PCI-E x1 x 4, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 6, USB 2.0 x 6, USB Type-C x 1 (Gen 2) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, Core Boost, Game Boost, DDR4 Boost, Audio Boost, PCI-E Steel Armor, Intel CNVi Ready, Gaming heatsinks, AMD CrossFire support |
| Display Output | HDMI |
Buy MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PLUS Motherboard
Budget SLI Z390 Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 GAMING SLI Motherboard
Most of the budget Z390 motherboards come with AMD CrossFire support only but if you want an affordable Z390 motherboard that supports Nvidia SLI along with AMD CrossFire then your option is Gigabyte Z390 GAMING SLI. It is a gaming-grade motherboard from Gigabyte and is one of the best budget Z390 motherboards in the market. It comes with three PCI-E x16 slots that support NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI and AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire multi-GPU technologies. It has got dual M.2 slots that support SATA 6Gb/s and PCI-Express NVMe SSDs, and 64GB DDR4 RAM up to 4000MHz in OC mode.
Other features of this ATX motherboard include Dual UEFI BIOS, Onboard 8 Channel Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, 10+2 Phases Digital VRM, Thermal Armor with Built-in RGB LED, Integrated I/O Shield, RGB Pin Header, Audio Noise Guard, RGB header, PCIe Armor to support heavy graphics cards, MOSFET / VRM heatsinks, chipset heatsinks, Integrated I/O Shield for protecting I/O connectors, Hybrid Fan Headers, M.2 Heatsinks for better cooling of M.2 SSDs and Memory Armor to prevent against PCB distortion/twisting and plate bending, and thus any possible ESD interference. This is a VR-ready motherboard and is not that costly considering the features it offers. Highly Recommended by me.
P.S. – This motherboard is also available with AMD CrossFire support only while other features remain the same. It is considerably cheaper than the SLI variant and its model number is Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X.
| Gigabyte Z390 GAMING SLI Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel 9000 Processors and 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors/Intel Core i5 processors/Intel Core i3 processors/Intel Pentium processors/Intel Celeron processors in the LGA1151 package |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4000 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 (SATA / NVMe) |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 8, USB 2.0 x 2 |
| Features | Dual UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, RGB LED strip header, 2-Way SLI / 2-Way CrossFire Support, M.2 Thermal Guard, Ultra Durable Memory Armor, 10+2 Phases Digital VRM, Thermal Armor with Built-in RGB LED, Integrated I/O Shield, RGB Pin Header, Audio Noise Guard, Hybrid Fan headers, VR Ready |
| Display Output | HDMI |
Buy Gigabyte Z390 GAMING SLI Motherboard
Other Good Budget Z390 Motherboards
Best Mid-range Z390 Motherboards
Here are the mid-range Z390 motherboards for building a mid-range to high-end gaming PC or work PC using a powerful Intel 9th generation processor.
ASUS TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING (WI-FI)
Asus TUF series motherboards are made from the highest quality components and they offer great durability compared to others. They are designed to withstand the toughest of conditions and are built like a tank. Here we have ASUS TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING (WI-FI) which is a micro-ATX motherboard with Intel Z390 chipset and is loaded with features. It comes with two PCI-E x16 slots (with SLI & CrossFire support), one PCI-E x1 slot, and dual M.2 slots for connecting high-speed NVMe and SATA SSDs. The motherboard supports 64GB DDR4 RAM up to 4266 MHz in OC mode.
ASUS TUF PROTECTION features include ASUS SafeSlot, ASUS ESD Guard, ASUS Overvoltage Protection, ASUS Stainless-Steel Back I/O Shield, and ASUS LANGuard. Other features of this motherboard include UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, M.2 heatsink, Overclocking support, and ASUS Exclusive MemOK for testing & fixing DRAM related boot issues. There is also an ATX model ASUS TUF Z390M-PLUS GAMING (WI-FI) available that costs a little more. You can check out both these models from the links given below.
| ASUS TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING (WI-FI) Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4266 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 2, PCI-E x1 x 1, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 6, USB 2.0 x 4, USB Type-C (Gen 1) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, ASUS SafeSlot, RGB Strip Header x 2, Support AIO PUMP Fan, Intel WI-FI & BT 5.0, TUF GAMING Armor (I/O Shield), DIGI+VRM & EPU, Asus Aura RGB Sync support, ASUS Exclusive MemOK, Supports NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX Technology |
| Display Output | HDMI |
Buy ASUS TUF Z390M-PRO GAMING (WI-FI)
Buy ASUS TUF Z390M-PLUS GAMING (WI-FI)
MSI MPG Z390 GAMING EDGE AC
MSI MPG Z390 GAMING EDGE AC is a powerful and feature-rich gaming motherboard from MSI. However, it does lack some features such as an I/O shield and M.2 heatsink which I think is not that a big deal for most of the users. This is a gaming-certified motherboard that comes with three PCI-E x16 slots (SLI & CrossFire support), three PCI-E x1 slots, twin M.2 slots for SATA, and NVMe SSDs, and supports DDR4 RAM up to 64GB capacity and up to 4400 MHz speed in OC mode. It also comes with Intel Integrated Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.0, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C / Type-A ports, and MSI RGB Mystic Lighting support. You can check the complete specifications and features of this motherboard from the table given below.
| MSI MPG Z390 GAMING EDGE AC Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4400(OC), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 1, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 6, USB 2.0 x 4, USB Type-C x 2 (Gen.2) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 8 Channel Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, Gaming Heatsinks, Audio Boost 4 with an amplifier, PCI-E Steel Armor, DDR4 Boost, Supports 2-Way NVIDIA SLI and 3-Way AMD CrossFire Technology, MSI Mystic Light RGB support, S/PDIF output |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy MSI MPG Z390 GAMING EDGE AC
Asus PRIME Z390-A Motherboard
If you are looking for a Z390 motherboard for gaming and work then Asus PRIME Z390-A is such a motherboard. This ATX motherboard is high on performance as well as on features. It looks very elegant and classy and has all the functionality that you get in any high-end motherboard. The motherboard comes with three PCIe x16 slots with SLI & CrossFire support, three PCIe x1 slots for expansion cards, dual M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs and supports DDR4 4266(O.C.) RAM up to 64 RGB.
The motherboard features AI Overclocking that automatically overlocks your CPU depending on the cooling and supports Asus Aura Sync RGB lighting. It also has one of the best audio ever with its Crystal Sound 3 technology. Overall, it is a high-quality motherboard for work and can be used for gaming as well. You can check the specifications and other features below.
| Asus PRIME Z390-A Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 for 8th / 9th Generation Core Pentium/Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4266(O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 4, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 4, USB 2.0 x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Intel I219V Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, AI Overclocking, NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX support, Asus SafeSlot, M.2 heatsink, Asus Aura Sync RGB support, Optical S/PDIF out, Dr. MOS, MEMOK! II, Thunderbolt header, RGB LED |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy Asus PRIME Z390-A Motherboard
ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING
Here we have another Asus motherboard but this one is from the ASUS ROG STRIX gaming series and is designed for gaming needs. ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING is an ATX motherboard that comes in a Red and black color scheme which gives it a very futuristic and modern gaming look. The motherboard comes with three PCI-E x16 slots with SLI and CrossFire support, three PCI-E x1 slots, two M.2 slots for your NVMe, and SATA SSD storage, and supports DDR4 4266 MHz RAM up to 64GB capacity.
The motherboard comes with ROG Exclusive Features that are geared towards gaming and performance. For protection, it comes with Asus SafeSlot and I/O shield at the rear. This motherboard does lack a USB Type-C connector but has got four USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports for super-fast data transfer between high-speed USB devices. Also, there is no Integrated Wi-Fi in this motherboard but you can add a Wi-Fi card to enjoy wireless connectivity. You can check the other features and specifications below.
| ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4266 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 4, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 6, USB 2.0 x 4 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, ROG Exclusive Software, Asus Aura Sync RGB support, ROG Logo Red LED, Supports NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology, ROG Patented Pre-mounted I/O Shield, AURA RGB header, Twin 8-phase power design, Gaming heatsinks, Asus SafeSlot, Optical S/PDIF out |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI
This is one of the best gaming motherboards that you can get for building a gaming PC using Intel 8th / 9th generation processors. Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI is an ATX motherboard that comes with almost all gaming features and has got all the expansion ports and slots. It has got three PCI-Express x16 slots (SLI & CrossFire support), three PCI-E x1 slots, two M.2 slots for SATA and NVMe solid state drives and supports 64GB DDR4 memory up to 4133 MHz in OC mode.
It also comes with M.2 heatsinks for M.2 SSDs, heatsinks for chipset and VRMs, and 12+1 Power Phases for providing rock-solid stability during overclocking and intensive gaming. It includes Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to make your gaming system wireless and two USB Type-C ports for connecting modern-day devices directly. You can check out other features and specifications below.
| Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core i9 processors/ Intel Core i7 processors/ Intel Core i5 processors/ Intel Core i3 processors/ Intel Pentium processors/ Intel Celeron processors in the LGA1151 package |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4133 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 5, USB 2.0 x 8, USB Type-C x 2 (Gen 1 + Gen 2) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, SPDIF Out, Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 12+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution with DrMOS, Thunderbolt connector, M.2 Thermal Guard, Smart Fan 5, NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX support, RGB Fusion support, VR Ready |
| Display Output | HDMI |
Buy Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI
ASRock Z390 Extreme4 Motherboard
[Best Budget Z390 Motherboard for Money]
ASRock Z390 Extreme4 is unarguably the best mid-range Z390 motherboard for the money. This is a high-performance board that comes with great features and is very much affordable compared to other mid-range and high-end Z390 motherboards. It is an ATX motherboard that comes with three PCI-E x16 slots with NVIDIA Quad SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX support, three PCI-E x1 slots for expansion cards and can support overclocked DDR4 RAM (4300+) to up to 64GB capacity.
For storage, it comes with 8 SATAIII ports and two Ultra M.2 slots for supporting high-speed NVMe SSDs in PCIe Gen3 x4 mode. It also comes with high-speed USB 3.1 Gen2 ports with both USB Type-C and Type-A connectors. The build quality of the motherboard is very good and it has got heatsinks over VRMs, motherboard chipset and M.2 slot. The motherboard is also good for overclocking has it has 12-Power Phase design that provides rock-solid stability even during high overclocking. It has got in-built RGB lighting and also has RGB LED + Addressable RGB LED Headers. Other features include UEFI BIOS, 7.1 channel audio, PCI-E Steel Slots, Front USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C header, Purity Sound 4 & DTS Connect, Free Bundled SLI HB Bridge, M.2 (KEY E) For WiFi, Water Pump Header. Display connectivity options at the rear include VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Highly Recommended by me for powerful budget gaming build.
| ASRock Z390 Extreme4 Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core Processors (Socket 1151) |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4300+ (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual-channel |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 (PCIe Gen3 X4) |
| Ports | SATAIII x 8, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 9 (Type-C + Type-A), USB 3.1 Gen2 x 2, (Type-C + Type-A), USB 2.0 x 2 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, 7.1 Channel Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, NVIDIA Quad SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX support, M.2 Heatsink, DIGI Power Design 12 Power Phase, PCI-E Steel Slots, RGB LED + Addressable RGB LED Headers, In-built RGB LED Lighting, Purity Sound 4 & DTS Connect, M.2 (Key E) For WiFi, ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB support, Intel Optane Memory Ready, SLI HB Bridge Free Bundled, Water Pump Header |
| Display Output | DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA |
Buy ASRock Z390 Extreme4 Motherboard
Best Mini-ITX Z390 Motherboards
Here are the best mini-ITX Z390 motherboards for mini-ITX cases. These Mini-ITX motherboards are very powerful and you can build a mid-range to high-end SFF gaming PC or work PC using them.
MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC
If you are building a small form factor (SFF) gaming PC using a Mini-ITX case and Intel 8th / 9th generation processor then MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC is one of the best Mini-ITX motherboards that you can get for it. This Z390 Mini-ITX gaming-certified motherboard is small but it packs all the features and essential expansion ports for your high-end gaming needs. It is a gaming-certified mini-ITX motherboard and comes with one PCI-E X16 slot for the graphics card (PCI-E Steel Armor) and two M.2 slots (front and back) for connecting high-speed NVMe and SATA SSDs. Being small in size, it has got only two RAM slots and supports 32GB DDR4 RAM up to 4600 MHz (OC).
Other features include integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Gaming heatsinks, DDR4 Boost, Integrated Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Game Modes, Game Boost, DDR4 Boost, Audio Boost, onboard 8-channel audio, VR Ready, Intel Gigabit LAN, and more. Display output at the rear includes HDMI and DisplayPort. You can find out more features and specs for this ITX motherboard below.
| MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4600 (OC), up to 32GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 2, PCI-E x16 x 1, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 4, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 4, USB 2.0 x 4 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, VR Ready, PCI-E Steel Armor, Gaming heatsinks, DDR4 Boost, Integrated Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Game Modes, Game Boost, DDR4 Boost, Audio Boost |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC
Other Budget Mini-ITX Z390 Motherboards
ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING
ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING is another Mini-ITX motherboard based on the Intel Z390 chipset, but it is a bit expensive compared to above mentioned MSI MPG Z390I GAMING EDGE AC motherboard. The motherboard does come with some extra features that include an I/O shield & VRAM heatsink, MemOK! II switch, extra USB ports, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, and RGB support (Asus Aura Sync) through AURA Addressable header and AURA RGB header.
The motherboard comes with a PCI-E x16 slot, two M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs and supports DDR4 4600 MHz RAM up to 64GB capacity. This is the best Z390 motherboard that you can get for building a powerful SFF gaming PC with a good Mini-ITX case. You can check more specs and features below.
| ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4600+ MHz (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 1, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 4, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 3, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 5, USB 2.0 x 4, USB Type-C |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, ROG Exclusive Software, Intel 2×2 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, SupremeFX S1220A CODEC, MemOK! II switch, Asus SafeSlot, Asus Aura Sync RGB support, M.2 heatsink, I/O Shield and VRM heatsink, ESD Guards and DRAM Overcurrent Protection, Twin 8-phase power design |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I GAMING
Best High-end Z390 Motherboards
Here are some of the best high-end Z390 motherboards that you can get for building a high-end gaming PC or enthusiast PC for Overclocking. These motherboards are best suited for high-end Intel 9th generation Core series processors.
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI) Z390
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI) is one of the most powerful gaming motherboards with Intel Z390 Chipset. This is also a great-looking motherboard and is packed with tons of features. It comes with three PCI-E x16 slots with NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX support, three PCI-E x1 slots for add-on cards, dual M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs, Integrated dual-band Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, and supports high-speed DDR4 4400MHz RAM up to 64GB capacity.
The motherboard is packed with a lot of features and some of them include Asus SafeSlot, Gaming Audio, Gaming LAN, Aura Sync RGB support, Clear CMOS / BIOS Flashback Button, M.2 heatsinks, I/O shield, etc. You can check out more about its features and specs from the table given below. The motherboard is also pretty affordable for a high-end motherboard and is one of the best Z390 motherboards that you can get for building a high-end gaming PC.
Update: This motherboard comes with 4-Phase VRM only and not the 8-Phase VRM which was previously advertised by Asus. So, be careful when choosing this. However, the board is pretty good for gaming, stable, and works quite well.
| ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI) Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Intel Socket 1151 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron Processors |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4400 (O.C), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 2 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 5, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 2, USB 2.0 x 6, USB Type-C (Gen2) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Gaming Audio, Intel Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, ROG LOGO RGB LED, Asus Aura Sync RGB support, 2 x 2 Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Asus SafeSlot, dedicated water header zones, M.2 heatsinks, I/O shield, Clr CMOS / BIOS Flashback Button, ESD Guards, Gaming heatsinks, Q-Code, AURA RGB headers & Addressable headers, Supports NVIDIA 2-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology, VR ready |
| Display Output | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Buy ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI)
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA
[Best for Overclocking & Gaming]
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA is a high-end Z390 motherboard for gaming. The motherboard gets all the frills and is packed with all the advanced features and expansion slots/ports that you need to connect all of your high-end gaming hardware. It is also a great motherboard for overclocking and remains very stable because of its 12+1 Power Phases design. This ATX Z390 motherboard comes with three PCI-E x16 slots for graphics cards (SLI + CrossFire support), three PCI-E x1 slots, Triple M.2 slots with heatsinks for NVMe and SATA SSDs, Integrated dual-band Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, and supports high-speed DDR4 4266 MHz (OC) memory up to 64GB capacity.
The build quality of the motherboard is excellent as also the performance. This motherboard is best suited for building a high-end gaming PC or enthusiast PC for overclocking. It also offers much better cooling because it has heatsinks for all high-end components and VRMs that can get very hot during overclocking, gaming, or during high workloads. You can check out more about the specifications and features of this motherboard below.
| Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Support for 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core i9 processors/ Intel Core i7 processors/ Intel Core i5 processors/ Intel Core i3 processors/ Intel Pentium processors/ Intel Celeron processors in the LGA1151 package |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4266 (O.C.), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 3 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 3, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 4, USB 2.0 x 8, USB Type-C x 2 |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, PCIe Armor, RGB LED, Gigabyte Fusion RGB support, Integrated I/O Shield, Intel dual-band Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0, M.2 thermal guards, Dual BIOS, Addressable LED Header and RGB LED Header, 12+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution with DrMOS, Smart Fan 5, Hybrid Fan headers, SLI and CrossFire support, VR ready |
| Display Output | HDMI |
MSI MEG Z390 ACE Motherboard
Here in the high-end Z390 motherboards category, we have MSI MEG Z390 ACE Motherboard from MSI. This is one of the top Z390 motherboards from MSI and is built for high-end gaming and packs all the advanced features and ports that you need to build a high-performance gaming PC using top-end Intel 9th generation processors. This motherboard does lack a display output port but you really don’t need it as you are going to use a high-end graphics card with it. The motherboard comes with extra USB 3.1 Gen2 ports compared to other motherboards in this segment. Build quality, as usual, is remarkable and it offers great performance, both in gaming as well during overclocking.
It comes with three PCI-E x16 slots for graphics card (SLI & CrossFire support), three PCI-E x1 slots, Triple M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA M.2 Solid State Drives, RGB LED lighting, Integrated Intel Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C reversible connectors and supports DDR4 4500MHz RAM (OC) up to 64GB capacity. You can check out more about its features and specifications below.
| MSI MEG Z390 ACE Motherboard Specifications | |
| Socket Type | LGA 1151 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor Support | Supports 9th / 8th Gen Intel Core / Pentium Gold / Celeron processors for LGA 1151 socket |
| RAM Support | DDR4 4500 (OC), up to 64GB, Dual Channel Mode |
| Slots | DIMM x 4, PCI-E x16 x 3, PCI-E x1 x 3, M.2 x 3 |
| Ports | SATAIII x 6, USB 3.1 Gen 2 x 5, USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 3, USB 2.0 x 8, USB Type-C x 3 (Gen2) |
| Features | UEFI BIOS, Onboard 7.1 Channel Audio, Gigabit LAN, Intel Optane Memory Ready, Overclocking support, I/O Shield, Supports 2-Way NVIDIA SLI and 3-Way AMD CrossFire, Clear CMOS & BIOS FlashBack+, Killer E2500 Gigabit LAN, Golden audio jacks with S/PDIF, MSI Mystic Light RGB support, Heatsinks, DDR4 Boost with Steel Armor, Triple Turbo M.2 with Shield FROZR, Game Boost Button, Audio Boost HD, PCI-E Steel Armor, Dual Front USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C, Intel Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0, Optical S/PDIF-Out |
| Display Output | NA |
Buy MSI MEG Z390 ACE Motherboard
Other Good High-end Z390 Motherboards
See also:
Final Words
In the end, I would like to say that If you are going to build an Intel 9th generation PC for gaming or work then you should get a Z390 motherboard. Above, I have listed the best Z390 motherboards for every budget and use case scenario, so that you can make a well-informed decision on which motherboard to get. If you have got any doubts or queries regarding these motherboards, processors, graphics cards, or other hardware then you can ask me your queries by leaving a comment below.
(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)
![Best Fan Controllers and Fan Hubs for PC [5.25” Fan Speed Controllers]](https://graphicscardhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/fan-controller-211x150.jpg "Best Fan Controllers and Fan Hubs for PC [5.25” Fan Speed Controllers]")
How does the vrm compare for overclock?
More the VRMs, the more power or voltage a motherboard can provide to the processor for stability and hence you can attain higher overclock if cooling provided is sufficient.
Can you comment on the vrm for these boards? I was looking to see which one is best for overclocking.
I do not have data for all boards but most of the mid-range and high-end boards such as Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WIFI, MSI MEG Z390 ACE, Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA have 12+1 Power Phases or 13 Phases VRMs and are best for overclocking. My personal choice would be Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA. Hope it helps !
Asus Z390-A vs MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC?
Plz consider all specs.
Both are very good boards but if you want integrated Wi-Fi the go with MSI one. Asus has more USB 3.1 Gen2 ports and M.2 heatsink. Also, it is a better on features and software side. My personal choice would be Asus Z390-A.
Maximus XI or z390 aorus
Both are equally good but i would prefer ASUS ROG Maximus XI.
Why? I’ve been doing research myself and everyone seems to say aroused is better because they have better vrms and asus also perform dramatically hotter in test compared to other cards. You the first reviewer I’ve come across who has anything nice to say bout asus’ 390 lineup. Is there any experience or tests to back up how u feel or is it more of a preference thing?
I think Asus do messed up with ASUS MAXIMUS Hero XI board because it was falsely advertised as 8-phase board but in actual it has only 4-power phases. However, the board is still pretty good and stable and the higher VRM temperature in some boards is due to poor contact with the VRM heatsink.
How about asrock z390 extreme4?
Nice feature rich motherboard for the money. Comes with RGB lighting but lacks integrated Wi-Fi. Good for moderate overclocking.
Which better between asrock z390 extreme4 with msi z390 gaming plus ? For my computer with spec is i5 9600k and vga asus gtx 1070?
Asrock z390 extreme4 is better.
Which will be better gigabyte aorus master z390 or Asus maximus code z390 or MSI MEG gaming carbon z390 ?
I would say Gigabyte Z390 AORUS MASTER.
Please help. What is the best between Asus Rog Maximus XI Extreme, ASRock z390 Taichi Ultimate, Gigabyte Aorus Xtreme Waterforce and MSI Meg z390 Godlike.
Asrock seems to have better internet connection, msi better sound… what i am trying to say is each one have 1 better thing then the others. But what is the best in general?
I would certainly go for MSI Meg Z390 Godlike because of overall better build, reliability and performance. Asus boards are kinda shady these days. Gigabyte Aorus Xtreme Waterforce is very expensive and ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate is not that good for overclocking.
what abouy asus maximus xi formula z390 VRMs can it take 9900k to 5.5ghz?
I don’t think so. Better to opt for Gigabyte or MSI.
HI!!
I have a i5 9600k.
In my country I have these mobos:
1-MSI Z390a-Pro but dont have HDMI and I think this is a problem
2-MSI Z390 Gaming Plus
3-Giga Z390UD
4-Giga Z390 Gaming X (and Gaming SLI)
5-Asus Tuf z390 Plus Gaming wifi (DOA claims)
This make me crazy!!! 15 days Reading specs!!! Reading sites and opinions
And I have no conclusions!!
Please!!! help me make a correct decision!!
Number 1 (one) is most cheap in my country.
I think you should go with MSI Z390 Gaming Plus. It is a good solid board and has all the required features.
Hahahaha I feel you man, Been struggling on the same thing for more than 3 weeks. Really sad to read you are having issues with your MSI, think I would just go for ASUS.
Tks Verma
Only for your reference (and value reason) the price of this mobos are:
1-233US$
2-251US$
3-262US$
4-288US$
5-324US$
are 73US$ difference between 2 and 5. (almost 30%)
If you sustain your opinion, I will go buy MSI Gaming Plus!!!!
again, TKS VERY MUCH
I would still prefer MSI Z390 Gaming Plus.
Tks my friend!!
HI Verna!!!
I mounted the pc with MSI Gaming Plus, 16gb Crucial Ballistix and i5 9600k.The board is cool, has several features but I think Bios is a bit poor ….
Yesterday I tried all day to use the on-board video of the processor and it does not work ….I’ve done everything that is possible … Updated bios, drives, utilities, but it does not work … it does not give video by hdmi / dvi.
I’m using Windows 10 Pro.
I’m tired!!
I posted a message on the MSI forum to try some help but I’m hopeless ….
Bios is so stupid that:
If there is no pci card, board takes IGD automatically.However …. if you start without vga card and the video does not appear you need to install vga card to enter Bios.
After you configure the IGD, when leaving Bios, there is no Save and Power OFF …. only Reboot option.
How will you remove the vga and install the hdmi cable if the pc does not shut down? If Reboot occurs, again the vga card will be assumed !!!
madness!!!
I did not get clearly. However, try using F10 to save BIOS settings / options.
Also try resetting the BIOS by removing the CMOS battery. Also to test if the HDMI/Ports are okay, set the Initiate Graphics Adapter to PEG and PGD multi-monitor to Enabled. Save the settings using F10. Boot your PC from graphics card and then hookup the monitor in DVI/HDMI port to see if it is working or not.
Verma
I was able to figure out what the problem was, so sort of casual …
There was nothing else to do …. but I found the operation of the machine strange …. It seemed like everything was ok !!!
The hd activity, the board’s post leds, seemed to be normal but there was no video.
I decided to get another monitor that I have here in the kitchen and connected the hdmi cable ….Tchan !!!! Video!!!!
The problem is some 24 “monitor incompatibility with the board.
Now it’s easy to solve. !!!
[]s
Strange but i am glad that everything is okay.
STRANGE?????
no….no…
DEVIL THINGS!!!!
that is……
[]s
There is a type for MSI Z390-A Pro LGA, It’s an ATX motherboard, not a m-ATX board. Best have that corrected or someone will buy thinking they can fit it into the mATX case.
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/Specification
Right! It has been corrected and thanks for pointing it out. Cheers!
Hi verma, I bought an i7 9700k, I really liked the gigabyte z390 gaming x, but I live in Brazil, here it costs about 280 dollars. in your opinion, worth? With 280 dollars, would you recommend a different plate? has a much cheaper but old mother board that would be the gigabyte z370m aorus gaming costs 198 dollars, would it be stupid of me to put a processor so good on an old board already?
There is no issue (performance wise too) in putting Core i7 9700k in Gigabyte Z370m Aorus gaming motherboard, but before buying it make sure that it has updated or latest BIOS that includes the support for Intel 9th generation processors.
something that I did not explain, and that I’m going to do overclocking, nothing too absurd. sorry for my English, thanks for answering me.
Hi there Akshat Verma, i am considering the Gigabyte Z390 Ultra or the Gigabyte Z390 Master – what would your choice be between these two boards? I am looking to overclock the 9900k to 5/5.1 ghz depending on frame rates at 4k. i basically just want the best board that will give the best options and speeds. Thanks for your help.
Both are very good high performance boards and are nearly identical. I would go with the Gigabyte Z390 Ultra because it is slightly cheaper.
Hi what abt Asus rog strix E motherboard? Is it a good mobo for I5 9600k? Also I need motherboard for future upgrades. Kindly help
It is a decent motherboard but I would suggest Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA.
Thanks for your reply. Shall I know what is difference between this Asus and gigabyte mobo? Just need to know reason for recommendation of gigabyte over Asus mobo.
Better VRMs (Voltage regulator modules) and thus stable power delivery during overclocking and at higher loads. Also, lately Asus boards do have some issues regarding quality.
Hi Verma, currently debating whether to get a MSI Z390-A PRO: ATX w/ RGB, USB 3.1, SATA3, 1x M.2 or ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 4
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks
I would prefer ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 4 because of more VRMs, two M.2 slots and offers great value for the money.
thank you!