Motherboards are the backbone as well as the circulatory system of a computer. As technology advances, newer generations of motherboards hit the market that are compatible with the latest generation of CPUs from Intel or AMD. Back in 2021, Intel introduced the 11th generation Rocket Lake series of CPUs, and alongside came thenew motherboard standard, Z590. Even though a few generations old at this point, these motherboards offer great value and are still quite popular among gamers, which is why there are numerous options to choose from.
A generation of motherboards can be compatible with multiple generations of CPUs. For example,Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUsare compatible with 600 series motherboards. This is a plus because not everyone upgrades their gaming setup every year with thelatest CPU from Intelor AMD. A lot of people are using older-generation hardware because it is still very capable and sufficient for their needs. The Z590 platform is compatible with not only 11th Gen but also 10th Gen Intel CPUs, which means everyone using those two generations of Intel CPUs likely has a good Z590 motherboard or is looking to get a new one.
MSI MEG Z590 Godlike
Finding The Right Z590 Motherboard
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at a new Z590 motherboard.
ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero (WiFi 6E) Z590
The ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero is one of the best Z590 motherboards in the market. It features two x16 PCIe slots and supports Nvidia 2-way SLI. It has four M.2 slots with heatsinks and six SATA 6Gbps ports for ample storage. Asus has packed 14+2 teamed power stages rated for 90 Amps and a large VRM heatsink. The ROG Maximus XIII HERO also comes with AI-enhanced controls that allow for easier overclocking.
Part of the ROG Maximus series of motherboards, the Maximus XIII HERO is the perfect Z590 ATX motherboard for gamers and productivity users. It covers all bases – be it expansion options, networking options, or overclocking. Thanks to the two x16 PCIe slots, the Maximus XIII HERO supports Nvidia two-way SLI. For storage, the motherboard comes with four M.2 slots – all with heatsinks – and six SATA 6Gbps ports, which means gamers can keep adding storage as they need.
Those looking for fast networking will appreciate the two Intel 2.5G Ethernet ports, as well as support for 2x2 Tri-band Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2. Whether it is a water-cooled or an air-cooled build, there are ample fan connectors for both needs. For audio, it uses the ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 with ESS ES9018Q2C DAC driver.
Furthermore, the Maximus XIII HERO features 14+2 teamed power stages rated for 90 Amps and a large VRM heatsink making it a great overclocker. It features AI-enhanced controls for taking the components to their safe limits. Asus says it uses AI to find the optimal configuration for the CPU and cooling and uses it to also improve networking. It does so by monitoring applications and allocating bandwidth accordingly.
The Asus ROG Maximus XIII HERO is the best Z590 motherboard overall because it is a complete package with impressive features and overclocking support.
Gigabyte Z590 UD
The Gigabyte Z590 UD is a great, affordable offering from a company known for its well-priced products. It comes with a 12+1 phase power design which makes it fairly capable when it comes to overclocking. It has an I/O shield and a heatsink for the mosfets that use thicker thermal pads for better heat dissipation. The Gigabyte Z590 UD also features a reinforced PCIe slot and comes with four DIMM slots.
The Z590 UD from Gigabyte is a budget-friendly motherboard that brings impressive features for its price range, as well as incorporates a few features that would typically be present in more expensive offerings. For starters, it has four DIMM slots and is capable of supporting up to 128 GB of RAM and a 12+1 phase power design rated for 50 Amps. Despite its budget price point, Gigabyte has focussed on thermal performance by adding a mosfet heatsink, grooves for air flow, and thick thermal pads for the mosfets.
For connectivity, there is a 2.5G LAN port on board but, as expected, there is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. There are two full-size PCIe slots with only one being 16x compliant, so while gamers will not be able to use Nvidia SLI, they can still use AMD Crossfire. For storage, gamers get three M.2 slots, which is also impressive at this price point, and there are five SATA connectors as well.
As far as looks are concerned, Gigabyte has done a good job making this motherboard look more premium than it is. It has an all-black design with a reinforced PCIe slot and an I/O shield. Gamers on a budget will not be disappointed with the Gigabyte Z590 UD.
Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon
The Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon is an ATX motherboard with impressive overclocking support. It has been designed with overclocking in mind and comes with features like a LIMP Mode button to reboot the system with safe settings without having to clear CMOS, a Cold Reset button, a profile switch, an OC Trigger switch, an Enhanced LN2 Mode button, and more. The Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon, according to the company, has achieved a 7314 MHz overclock on the CPU and 6870 MHz on the memory on LN2.
The Z590 AORUS Tachyon from Gigabyte has been designed by and for overclockers. It boasts a specialized VRM design and built-in overclocking buttons for those looking to squeeze maximum performance out of their hardware. It features a direct 12-power phase design rated for 100 Amps that is capable of delivering steady power under extreme load. According to the company, the maximum CPU overclock that has been achieved on this board is 7314 MHz and the maximum memory overclock has been 6870 MHz. It should be noted that these numbers were achieved on liquid nitrogen cooling (LN2). Speaking of which, the motherboard comes with an Enhanced LN2 Mode button that allows the CPU to boot at a much lower temperature. Among a few other buttons and switches is the BIOS switch. It allows users to switch to a different BIOS, preventing BIOS failure during overclocking.
Furthermore, there are several buttons and switches on the Z590 AORUS Tachyon to assist overclocking enthusiasts. It comes with a LIMP Mode button to reboot the system with safe settings without having to clear CMOS. There is also a Cold Reset button, a switch to raise or lower the CPU ratio, a profile switch, and connecting points for a voltmeter. The OC Trigger switch allows for cooling down the CPU temperature instantly without changing any software settings, which is useful before running benchmarks.
The motherboard comes with two DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of RAM at up to 3200 MHz out of the box. It also has four PCIe expansion slots, but only one supports x16 speeds. While it doesn’t support Nvidia SLI, multiple GPUs can be used with AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire and 2-way AMD CrossFire technology. For storage, the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Tachyon offers six SATA 6Gbps connectors, two M.2 slots, and ample USB connectivity options. Networking options include Wi-Fi 6E AX210, 2.5Gb LAN, and Bluetooth 5.2.
Gigabyte Z590I Aorus Ultra mini-ITX
The Gigabyte Z590I Aorus Ultra mini-ITX motherboard is a compact yet feature-packed offering. It has a single PCIe x16 slot, four SATA connectors, and two M.2 slots for a good amount of storage. For connectivity, the Z590I Aorus Ultra comes with 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6 AX200, and Bluetooth 5.1. There are two DIMM slots that support DDR4 memory and the motherboard supports overclocking the memory up to 4600 MHz.
For those using or building a small but powerful PC, a mini-ITX motherboard would be ideal. The Z590I AORUS Ultra from Gigabyte is a great all-rounder. It offers overclocking support, 2.5Gbps LAN, four SATA connectors, and two M.2 storage slots. The Z590I AORUS Ultra has a 10+1 phase power design with a 90A Smart Power stage. The VRM design and Tantalum Polymer Capacitor Array enables an improved transient response and better overclocking stability.
The board uses fin arrays, heat pipes, and thermal guards to keep the VRM and M.2 SSDs cool by efficiently dissipating heat. When it comes to overclocking, the Z590I AORUS Ultra supports up to 4600 MHz with DDR4 RAM. It also features RGB lighting with Gigabyte’s RGB Fusion 2.0 software. Like the AORUS Tachyon, the AORUS Ultra mini-ITX board also comes with two DIMM slots with support for up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM in dual channel configuration.
For connectivity, it comes with 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6 AX200, and Bluetooth 5.1, and while the Z590I AORUS Ultra does not come with the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, it is plenty fast. Most users will not notice any drop in performance compared to the latest standards. Being a mini-ITX board, it only has one PCIe x16 port, four SATA connectors, and two M.2 slots, both of which are cooled by heat sinks and heat pipes.
NZXT N7 Z590
The NZXT N7 Z590 is one of the very few white motherboards in the Z590 family. It is an ATX motherboard with a 12+2 DrMOS Power Phase Design and supports memory overclocking up to 4266 MHz. For connectivity, the N7 Z590 comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, as well as a 2.5G LAN port. It has 4 DIMM slots supporting DDR4 memory up to 128 GB in a dual channel architecture.
Unlike themany white PC casesavailable today, there aren’t too many white Z590 motherboards in the market. This makes the task of looking for the right one pretty straightforward. The NZXT N7 is an ATX motherboard that is predominantly white with black accents. It offers a unique look as far as motherboards go and works well in both black and white PC cases. The motherboard features four DDR4 DIMM slots with dual-channel architecture, three PCIe slots (one of which is x16), and 2.5G LAN. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support.
The NZXT N7 Z590 features a 12+2 DrMOS power phase design for improved stability. It has four SATA connectors and two M.2 storage slots. NZXT says the N7 Z590 supports memory overclocking of up to 4266 MHz, but it is not a board designed for serious overclocking. There is RGB lighting as well which can be controlled through the NZXT CAM software. Because of the single PCIe x16 slot, gamers will only be able to use AMD GPUs if they want to go with a multi-GPU setup.
The white aesthetic of the NZXT N7 gives it a clean and premium look. All the capacitors and circuits are covered with a shroud with only the key slots exposed. For those wondering, the white shroud can be taken apart to access components on the board.
MSI MEG Z590 GODLIKE
For a no-compromise gaming and productivity experience, the MSI MEG Z590 Godlike is the way to go. It features incredible performance and features including a 20-phase power design, enhanced cooling with an active fan, three x16 PCIe slots, and a customizable OLED screen. There is shielding all over the PCB and the back has a solid aluminum backplate.
Those looking for a no-compromise premium E-ATX motherboard will find the MSI MEG Z590 GODLIKE checks all the boxes. It is one of the top-tier motherboards that MSI offers, and it brings not just solid performance but looks to match. The motherboard features an incredible 20-phase power design with 90A Smart Power Stage which, in combination with the titanium chokes and dual CPU power connectors, make it great for overclocking.
With the MSI MEG Z590 GODLIKE, everything has been kicked up to 11. There are three PCIe x16 slots, allowing support for Nvidia SLI and AMD Crossfire. There are four DIMM slots, four M.2 slots, and six SATA connectors for ample storage. For connectivity, it comes with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 10Gbps LAN controller. The VRMs and mosfets are kept cool thanks to the integrated fan and the wavy fin design that enables improved heat dissipation.
In terms of aesthetics, most of the motherboard is shielded with the GODLIKE branding in a couple of spots. There is also a color OLED screen panel that shows some stats and adds to the flare of the board. The MSI MED Z590 GODLIKE also features dual Thunderbolt 4 ports for further expansion.
If budget is of no concern, this is the best Z590 motherboard in the market be it for gaming or productivity.
Finding the Right Z590 Motherboard for Gaming
Form Factor: As mentioned earlier, motherboards come in four main form factors: ATX, m-ATX, mini-ITX, and E-ATX, and these dictate the size of the motherboard. With ATX being the standard size, E-ATX or extended ATX is a bit larger than standard ATX boards, offering more features like expansion slots. Micro ATX or m-ATX, as the name suggests, are more compact than ATX boards but offer mostly the same features as ATX. The Mini-ITX form factor includes motherboards that are much smaller with fewer expansion options that are meant to fit inside small form factor builds. Depending on the build and requirements for expansion and connectivity, users can decide which form factor works best for them.
Expansion Options: Every motherboard comes with a minimum number of expansion slots. Of course, the bigger the form factor, the greater the expansion options. The SATA ports allow users to add additional storage if need be, whether it is a mechanical hard drive or an SSD. The M.2 slot is perfect for high-speed storage, but it is typically more expensive storage. Users often get smaller capacity but faster M.2 storage as their boot drive. It is always a good idea to have extra expansion options for future upgradability.
Connectivity Options: For networking, a motherboard needs to come with either a LAN port or a Wi-Fi card. All motherboards do come with LAN ports but the speed varies. If a particular use case requires fast-speed Ethernet connectivity, the motherboard should have at least a 1Gbps port, if not better. On the other hand, not all motherboards feature Wi-Fi cards for wireless connectivity. Those who have their PC in an area where a wired LAN connection isn’t possible will need to make sure that their motherboard has a Wi-Fi receiver and if not, they will need to research and invest in a third-party wireless receiver.
Another wireless connectivity option is Bluetooth and fewer motherboards have that option out of the box and is something that would typically not affect the purchase decision. A third party Bluetooth receiver can easily solve this issue.
Bottom Line
The Z590 motherboard platform supports 9th, 10th, and 11th Gen Intel CPUs which are still quite capable in this age of 13th and 14th Gen processors. Those looking to upgrade their current setup or just get a new motherboard should keep a few things in mind before pulling the trigger. If price is a concern, the ASRock Z590 EXTREME is capable of delivering an impressive set of features and performance on a budget. But if money is not of concern, the MSI MEG Z590 ACE packs a solid punch with top-tier performance and unique aesthetics.
Those looking to build an all-white PC should look towards the NZXT N7 Z590. There are very few white motherboard options in the Z590 era. With newer platforms, manufacturers have been offering more white options.
If the focus is getting every bit of performance from the CPU, GPU, and memory, the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Tachyon comes with features that support heavy overclocking. It is a great motherboard to use for LN2 overclocking as it has some dedicated tweaks built in to make the process simpler and easier.
For small form factor builds, the Gigabyte Z590I AORUS Ultra is a great choice. Despite its small size, it is packed with features and has all the key expansion slots, connectivity options, as well as support for overclocking.
Gamers who are looking for the best overall package and can invest a little extra into the motherboard should consider the Asus ROG Maximus XIII HERO. It checks all the boxes when it comes to gaming as well as productivity.
FAQ
Q: Does Z590 platform support Intel 12th Gen CPUs?
No, the Z590 platform does not support Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs. It comes with the LGA 1200 socket which is compatible with 9th, 10th, and 11th Gen Intel CPUs. Those looking towards the 12th Gen CPUs will have to move up to the Z690 platform.
Q: What is the fastest CPU for Z590?
Since the Z590 platform supports up to Intel 11th Gen CPUs, the Core i9-11900K will be the fastest CPU for the Z590 platform. It comes with eight cores and 16 threads, boasting a maximum boost clock speed of 5.30 GHz.
Q: Is Z690 worth it over Z590?
It depends on the use case. If a 12th Gen Intel CPU is being used, a Z690 CPU will need to be used. The Core i7 and Core i9 processors in the 11th Gen lineup are still very capable but if the need is for maximum performance in the latest AAA games, then the Z690 platform with a 12th Gen Intel CPU should be considered.
