Best Z590 Motherboard
We take a look at the best Z590 motherboards for your new Intel build
Below we list the contenders for best Z590 motherboard!
The motherboard is an often forgotten about component, however, it is a crucial one that needs careful consideration. As many will know, Intel announced its latest generation of processors – the 11th-gen Rocket Lake range, with Intel officially moving to PCIe 4.0. To support the new features from the upcoming 11-gen CPUs, we are going to be looking at Intel’s flagship 11-gen motherboard chipset – The Z590. To cover a lot of PC builders’ varied needs, we will be finding the best Z590 Motherboard, so that regardless of your budgetary and form factor requirements, we make sure you leave with the right board for your build.
These new motherboards promise native PCIe 4.0 support with the 11th-gen processors, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 support, and upgraded power delivery, so, let’s take a look.
Update – Intel have released their new 11th-Gen Processors as of the 30th of March. To secure one for your new Z590 motherboard check out our where to buy pages for the Intel Core i9-11900(K), Intel Core i7-11700(K), Intel Core i5-11600(K), & Intel Core i5-11400 here.
Our Top Picks
The Best Z590 Motherboards
In-depth Review
ROG Maximus XIII Hero Z590
ROG Maximus XIII Hero Z590
The Asus ROG Maximus HERO is a superb motherboard and one of the best in the Z590 chipset. This latest iteration features everything you need to get the best out of your Intel 11th Gen Rocket Lake CPU.
Much like the Hero XIII’s predecessor, we see the LGA 1200 socket, a similar spacious layout, thermal cladding, and an impressive design. This board features a robust power solution of 14+2 power stages rated for 90 Amps, with enlarged VRM heatsinks and an aesthetically-superb integrated aluminum I/O cover. It is clear this has been made for high-performance and while it could seat any of Intels 11th-Gen CPUs, we feel this would be best for the high-end gamers out there who opt for the i9-11900K.
From a design perspective, this board is stunning. The armor that shrouds the board combines well with the ROG RGB lighting to create a thing of beauty. This comes with everything you need, featuring PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6E, a great board.
Asus Z590 TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI
Asus Z590 TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS WIFI
Asus has enhanced a classic – the TUF Gaming Z590 Plus. The new Z590 variant now looks incredible and features plenty to bring the best out of your new Intel CPU.
This Z590 now comes with an upgraded power delivery, with 16 DrMOS power stages and an improved cooling system (enlarged VRM heatsink), enabling this to drive your new processor. This board can support faster memory than ever before (5133 MHz) and now features PCIe 4.0 m.2 support for up to 64Gbps.
On top of PCIe 4.0, we see USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Furthermore, this board comes with Wi-fi 6 and a 2.5 Gb ethernet port. The Asus TUF is a bit of a favorite here at WePC and you can see why.
Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming
Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming
The Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming motherboard is another high-end option in this round-up offering high-end performance at a slightly cheaper rate than the top selection.
This Z590 is designed to bring out the best of the upcoming 11th-gen Intel CPUs and features plenty of AI. This board comes with AI overclocking, AI networking, and AI noise cancelation. Unsurprisingly, we see a very robust power solution, with 14+2 power stages, durable capacitors, and decent alloy chokes, supporting multi-core processors. The thermal design has been optimized, with integrated I/O + MOS heatsinks, triple onboard M.2 heatsinks, and an L-shaped heat pipe.
Other features from the Z590 are PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6E, giving you everything you need to bring the best out of your new Intel-based build.
Gigabyte Z590I AORUS ULTRA
Gigabyte Z590I AORUS ULTRA
From an aesthetics point of view, you may notice little difference between this Z590I and its predecessor but this comes packed with the features to make your Intel-based ITX system sing, such as an enhanced power design from 8 to a direct 10+1.
This board has been optimized and features improved memory trace, faster read/write speeds, and of course PCIe 4.0. All this power in such a small space is backed up with excellent thermal solutions. The M.2 features a large thermal guard and you can benefit from unthrottled performance thanks to the fin-arrays and heat pipes. This cooling solution dissipates heat well, making this a viable option for overclockers too.
The connectivity options are another area of improvement over the previous-gen, with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and Wi-Fi 6.
Asus Prime Z590-P
Asus Prime Z590-P
An affordable and reliable option comes in the form of our budget pick – The Asus Prime Z590-P. While lacking the features of our main selections, this board features a bolstered power delivery and its cooling has been optimized to really help you push your new 11th-gen CPU as far as possible.
This Z590 will handle the additional bandwidth of your new Intel CPU and will provide the fundamentals to boost daily productivity. Cooling the VRMs we see two huge heatsinks and thermal pads to improve heat transfer. The M.2 slot also features a heatsink, stopping any throttling you may experience.
Final Word
Whether or not Intel’s Rocket Lake CPUs close the gap with AMD is yet to be discovered but we now know the best Z590 motherboard for the job. regardless of what budget or size build you are looking to create, this round-up has you covered. These selections are all of stellar quality and will bring the best out of your new CPU. Which motherboard you now go for is down to your own preferences but you can rest assured that every pick here will provide a reliable base for your next Intel PC.