ASUS PRIME Z490-A

January 13, 2021 by Stephen

Board specifications start with the Intel LGA1200 socket, compatible with all 10th Generation processors, including Core i3, i5, i7, and i9. Those on a budget can also install Pentium Gold or Celeron processors as well. Power design is supported by a 12+2 design for CPU and memory, ONSemi supplying the power stages with each running at 45A, giving the CPU a total of 540A. Memory is supported with four DDR4 slots, speeds up to 4800MHz via overclocking.
Expansion is handled by 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots from the CPU and another three x1 slots, and an x16 electrically limited to x4 from the chipset. 6x SATA III ports give way to the Ultra m.2 storage configuration that includes two slots, one of which is heatsinked.

So far when it comes to Z490 motherboards we’ve taken a look at a few boards from ASUS Republic of Gamers line, but today we are checking out the PRIME Z490-A. I’ve always been a fan of PRIME series boards, mainly for the fact that they appeal to pretty much everyone. They give you all of the features you would want on your given chipset without all of the extras you are more than likely not going to use.

ASUS PRIME Z490-A

October 2, 2020 by Stephen

The Prime Z490-A features a black PCB with white strips running across it. The rear I/O shield, as well as the chipset heatsink on this board, are also colored white. The bright, contrasting color on this otherwise dark component is eye-catching and draws your attention to these two areas on the board.

ASUS PRIME Z490-A

September 22, 2020 by Stephen

The recommended $ 230 is more, and decent, than the average “ward temperature” of the Z490 motherboard market. And this is immediately a strong ideological blow to Prime. Yes, there are still little things to throw, finishing up to $ 240, and there are several ASUS ROG models at once, not to mention powerful offers in the assortment of MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock, and more exotic motherboard manufacturers.

ASUS PRIME Z490-A

September 14, 2020May 30, 2020 by Stephen

Naturally we’re therefore left wondering if, extra bells and whistles aside, you can get away with spending less but achieving the same solid level of performance. The ASUS Prime Z490-A seems like the perfect candidate.