ASUS has introduced a new series of Z890 motherboards across its ROG Maximus, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, Prime, and ProArt families, in line with Intel’s launch of its latest Core Ultra 200S series processors.
ASUS Z890 Motherboards
One new feature ASUS has introduced for Z890 motherboards is the ASUS AI Advisor, which is described as “a dedicated technical assistant that is always available to answer questions,” according to the company’s press release. (Essentially, a chatbot.) Besides that, NPU Boost is another new addition that allows users to overclock the NPU onboard these Intel processors, if you need more than 13 TOPS for any reason.
Like the X870E lineup, these new motherboards incorporate NitroPath DRAM technology that improves signal integrity of DDR5 modules – in theory, this boosts the maximum stable clock speeds that should enable the use of ultra-fast CUDIMM modules that are being introduced to the market as we speak. Two motherboards, the ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme and the ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi, will offer Thunderbolt 5, while other Z890 models can install the ASUS ThunderboltEX 5 add-in card as a separate add-on.
Select ROG-branded motherboards will also feature M.2 PowerBoost, which provides additional M.2 slots via additional +3V rails converted from +12V rails; meanwhile, Q-Design features like PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim and M.2 Q-Slide will be featured on select models. ASUS DriverHub is also introduced as a new software to provide a more streamlined driver update experience.
ASUS Malaysia has published the local pricing for all Z890 series motherboards, with pre-orders now open (except ProArt models, for now):
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| ROG MAXIMUS Z890 EXTREME | RM5,200 |
| ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX | RM3,600 |
| ROG MAXIMUS Z890 HERO | RM3,650 |
| ROG STRIX Z890-E GAMING WIFI | RM3,250 |
| ROG STRIX Z890-F GAMING WIFI | RM2,250 |
| ROG STRIX Z890-A GAMING WIFI | RM2,200 |
| ROG STRIX Z890-I GAMING WIFI | RM2,400 |
| TUF GAMING Z890-PRO WIFI | RM1,750 |
| PRIME Z890-P WIFI-CSM | RM1,550 |
| PRIME Z890M-PLUS WIFI-CSM | RM1,220 |
Pokdepinion: Is NPU overclocking going to be a thing now?
