1-Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
The best gaming motherboard for Intel's latest generation CPU.
Chipset: Intel Z390 | ram: 4x DIMM, up to 64GB, DDR4-4266 | Expansion slots: PCIe x16, PCIe x16 (x8), PCIe x16 (x4), 3x PCIe x1 | Video port: HDMI | USB port: 10 Rear IO, 7 internal | Storage: 3 M.2, 6 SATA | Network: Ethernet, 1.73Gbps 802.11ac wireless | Lighting: Radiator and DIMM slot RGB, 2 RGBW headers
Uncompromising functionality, including three M.2 sockets and a smooth RGB package with two LED connectors
Gigabyte is not as flashy as other top motherboard manufacturers, but over the years, it has accumulated many PCG recommendations. Outstanding performance and continuous cost reduction make Gigabyte's Z390 Aorus Ultra a winner. We have liked Aorus-branded motherboards since 2016 from Skylake, and the company’s Ryzen motherboards are also an excellent choice in all aspects, but this is the best motherboard we have tested.
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra competes with MSI Z390 Gaming Pro Carbon AC and Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi), but it is cheaper and has more features. It has three M.2 slots to meet your ultra-high-speed NVMe SSD needs, Intel Wi-Fi Wave2 and Ethernet, full RGB processing with multiple connectors, and ALC1220 audio. You have to climb to the top of the product stack to get the same product from MSI and ASUS, both of which provide more polishing effects, but also charge a lot for this. Although the Extreme Motherboard has a lot to say, this is a very valuable Intel motherboard.
For us, the only real disadvantage is that this motherboard may be a bit too flashy and may not be suitable for more restrictive games. Thankfully, you can disable all RGB flashing in the BIOS as needed, although other elements may still conflict. But this is just a small criticism of the top board.
2-ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero Wi-Fi
Excellent previous generation Intel overclocking enthusiast.
Chipset: Intel Z390 | Memory: 4x DIMM, 64GB, DDR4-4400 | Expansion slots: 2 PCIe x16 (x16 or dual x8), PCIe x16 (x4), 3x PCIe x1 | Video ports: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 8 rear IO, 7 internal | Storage: 2 M.2, 6 SATA | Network: Ethernet, 866Mbps 802.11ac | Lighting: Radiator RGB, 2x Aura RGB, 2x addressable Aura
Excellent CPU and memory overclocking functions are not expensive for top motherboards
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi AC) is top in its own series of gaming mainboards. Although ASUS provided Code, Formula, and Apex boards as a step for Hero, we found no reason to choose a higher-priced model. Usually, it is difficult to justify a small change in inexpensive board speed, functionality, or fashion. This is a smaller chipset update to the previous Z370-based Maximus X Hero Wi-Fi, and we also like it.
Z390 Hero adds 802.11ac 2x2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi to the network portfolio (the price of the non-wireless version is a few dollars lower). Overclocking and performance are still the best among similar products, while the price of the motherboard is one-third higher. Maximum XI Hero is almost perfect, only faster Wi-Fi and additional M.2 slots are in our list of potential improvements.
3-ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I games
Most suitable for small Intel 9th generation products.
Chipset: Intel Z390 | Memory: 2x DIMM, 32GB, DDR4-4500 | Expansion slot: 1 PCIe x16 | Video port: HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2 | USB port: 7 rear IO, 1 front IO, 4 internal | storage: 2 M.2, 4 SATA | Network: Ethernet, 866Mbps 802.11ac | Lighting: Edge RGB, 1x addressable halo RGB
Excellent overclocking and system performance with dual M.2 slots
As the price dropped and the previous Z370-based model disappeared from the supplier, Asus' Strix Z390-I Gaming entered the top spot in the boutique ITX field. ROG Strix Z390-I games have excellent performance and value despite their compact size and few upgrade options. It has a stable 5GHz overclock and can be adjusted with multiple memory speeds, including an adjusted 3,600MHz, and its single PCIe x16 slot pushes overhead graphics cards into speeds that match or exceed most Z390 ATX boards during the test.
Despite its small size, it has no shortcomings, including dual PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slots, Intel v219 Ethernet, upgraded Intel 9560 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and ALC1220A audio codec Decoder (supported by isolation) circuit and headphone amplifier. Despite its rich functions, the simple design of Strix Z390-I enables rapid system assembly and configuration, which is an important consideration for the construction of ITX rigs. Just make sure to install the bottom-mounted M.2 drive beforehand, or choose a case with a large enough cutout behind the motherboard, otherwise, you will take everything apart again.
It is worth noting that this board may be difficult to find, but the previous generation ROG Strix Z370-I model has a slimmer design and is still an excellent choice, especially at clearance prices.