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ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming Review


Are you looking to build a high-end gaming PC on a budget? If so, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F might be the perfect motherboard for you. In this guide, we will take a look at all of its features and offer some tips and tricks to get the most out of your new board. We’ll also review some of the best CPUs for gaming on a budget, so you can make sure your system is as powerful as it can be. Let’s get started!

Now that you know all the features of the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F motherboard, let’s summarize it’s pros and negatives to help you make your choice.


Overall, this is a solid motherboard with good features. With its Intelligent Cooling system, powerful VRM components, optimized circuit layout, additional water-cooling (optional) headers providing an extra layer of durability, this motherboard will keep your assembly running perfectly for years without fail. Moreover, the comprehensive range of tunable optimizations from Game FIRST V allows you to easily personalize your gaming experience keeping lag and latency at bay for competitive gaming superiority.

For aspiring overclockers, performance is almost unheard of with boost frequencies across all cores thanks to the cutting edge power delivery design technology. But it doesn’t stop there; users benefit from proprietary fan headers giving users full control over their cooling strategy while 8 charge ports are available if you want even more stable power delivery options while overclocking.

The only negative we could find on this motherboard is the high price tag considering the hardware. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is quite expensive, but considering its features and performance, it can be well worth the investment.


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Pros and Cons of ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming

Pros
  • Very efficient;
  • Solid cooling;
  • Useful software;
  • Amazing overclocking;

Cons
  • Expensive

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Specifications

Asus is one of the leading manufacturers of PC components and their ROG Strix Z390-F motherboard is an excellent choice for any gaming PC build. It has a solid design, good performance and plenty of features to satisfy even the most hardcore gamers. Here are the specs of this board:

  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Chipset: Intel Z390
  • Socket: LGA 1151
  • Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 DIMM up to 64GB at 4266 MHz (OC)
  • Expansion Slots: 2x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3x PCIe 3.0 x1
  • Storage Options: 6x SATA 3
  • Network Options: 1x Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Antenna
  • Connectivity: 1x USB Type C port, 3x USB Type A5Gb/s, 4 Type A, 2 USB 2.0, Display Port connector, Line In connector, Line Out connector, Mic Out connector, 7.1 Surround Sound, Audio Input Output, PS/2 connector, 1 x LAN connector
  • SATA Ports: (6) 6Gb/s
  • RAID Support: Yes[1],[2],[3],[4]

Features and Layout

Now, let’s move to features and layout. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F motherboard is a well built board with plenty of features for gamers. It has an all-black design, and the PCB is reinforced with extra layers for durability.

Features and Layout

The overclocking performance of the board is one of its strengths and it comes with intuitive BIOS settings to make tuning easy. There are also plenty of fan headers on the board so that you can customize your cooling setup without any hassle.

In terms of expansion slots, there are two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slotsoffering plenty of connectivity options for graphics cards, sound cards, wireless adapters etc.

An impressive RGB lighting system lets you customize the lighting effects of your board, and Asus also provides a range of software tools to enhance your gaming experience.

The overall layout of the board is well designed with all components placed in an organized manner. The M.2 slots are well spaced out so that they won’t interfere with other components while also providing easy access to each slot.

The two reinforced slots are connected to the CPU’s sixteen lanes of bandwidth, and switch into an x8/x8-mode whenever a card is detected in the second slot. This allows them to share resources efficiently without sacrificing performance.

The product box comes with plenty of accessories like the cables, installation disk and a user manual to help you get started with your build. You also get a thank you card with your purchase. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Audio

Of course audio is one of the major aspects of any gaming build, and the ROG Strix Z390-F motherboard does not disappoint. It has a dedicated sound card with SupremeFX CODEC that provides high-fidelity audio for your games and music. The audio is crisp and clear with no distortion even at high volumes. This is particularly thanks to the audio cover that acts as a shield against interference.

The motherboard also has dual omp amplifiers that can drive studio grade headphones. There are also DTS Headphone:X and Sonic Studio III software that lets you customize sound profiles for different gaming scenarios. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Software and Firmware

Many people tend to overlook the importance of software when shopping for a motherboard. However, this is a mistake that could cost you in the long run if you don’t pay attention to the available software options for your chosen board.

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F board comes with an extensive suite of advanced utilities and tools; including AI Suite 3 and Armoury Crate. AI Suite 3 is designed to give users access to all the power saving and performance tuning features they need, while Armoury Crate brings together system monitoring, RGB lighting control, fan speed adjustment, game profiles and more into one easy-to-use app. With these two apps working together, it’s possible to fine-tune components or set up complex network functions without ever having to leave the Windows desktop.

Software and Firmware

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F also comes with a GameFirst V tool which helps you to optimize your online gaming experience, as well as an AI Overclocking feature that allows you to automatically overclock your system for maximum performance.

What’s more, this motherboard also supports UEFI BIOS which offers a better user experience with an intuitive graphical interface. It also allows for easier overclocking and faster boot times due to its improved performance over the traditional BIOS.

Now as for firmware, players can adjust their gaming options via Ai Tweaker option in BIOS to increase performance, reduce heat and extend component life. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Heat and Power

The importance of heat management in a motherboard cannot be overstated. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F offers a combination of features that help ensure efficient cooling and long-term reliability.

Firstly, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is equipped with an 8-phase power delivery design to give your processor enough juice for heavy workloads without excessive strain on components. Still, when compared to the similar motherboards, it shows an average performance in terms of power consumption.

The ROG Strix Z390-F comes with an onboard M.2 heatsink to cool M.2 and help preserve the drives’ performance and lifespan. Additionally, the motherboard includes an advanced thermal system which can adjust fan speeds based on temperatures in different areas of the motherboard. This ensures that your components will stay reliable and cool even when pushed to their limits.

And testing shows that the thermal sink does it’s job as the board reaches only 60 degrees Celsius when under load when gaming. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Overclocking

When it comes to gaming and maximizing performance, overclocking is a key factor in getting the best out of your gaming rig. Overclocking allows gamers to increase the clock speed of their processor and RAM to get higher frame rates or faster loading times. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F motherboard makes it easy for users to overclock their components for maximum performance.

The Strix Z390-F has plenty of features designed specifically for overclocking including AI Overclocking which uses intelligent algorithms to automatically fine-tune components for optimal performance as well as one-click 5Ghz overclocks via MemOK. There are also advanced cooling options as we already mentioned. All this combined makes the Strix Z390-F one of the best gaming motherboards for overclocking.

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F also offers a lot of control when it comes to manual overclocking. With its intuitive UEFI BIOS interface users can quickly and easily adjust clock speeds, voltage, and other settings to fine tune their system for optimal performance. [1],[2],[3],[4]

Price

Finally, let’s talk about the price of this board. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is priced at around $408 which is quite expensive all things considered. For this price, you may want to look for motherboards that offer an equal amount of features and performance at a more competitive price.

Price

However, if you want an excellent gaming motherboard that is well-equipped to handle intensive tasks, then the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is certainly worth considering. It offers superb build quality, great features and reliable performance despite its high price tag. Plus, it comes with all the software and firmware options needed for optimum system control and tuning so you can get the most out of your system.

What to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Motherboard

As you can see, the motherboard is one of the most critical components that allows a computer to function. It connects all of the other major components together, including the CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage devices. The layout of the motherboard also plays an important role in determining how your system will run. When choosing a gaming motherboard, there are several key factors to consider. Let’s discuss those.

Form Factor

Form factor is an important consideration when choosing a motherboard. It’s the physical size and shape of the board that decides how many components you can fit on it, what type of case you’ll need to house your components, and the types of connections available on the motherboard.

The two popular form factors are ATX and MicroATX, and they come in various sizes.
As a general rule, the larger the form factor, the more components you can fit onto the board. That means more USB ports, higher RAM capacity, and even support for multiple graphics cards if needed.

In addition to size considerations, form factors also dictate which type of case is necessary to house your motherboard. ATX boards will typically require a mid-tower or full tower case while MicroATX boards are usually compatible with smaller cases such as mini towers or slimline cases. It’s important to double check before purchasing a case to make sure it will fit your chosen motherboard.

Finally, different form factors offer different connection options on the board itself. Generally speaking, ATX boards will have more options for USB, Firewire, and audio ports, while MicroATX boards tend to be more limited in this regard.

Chipset

The chipset is an integral part of the motherboard as it determines your computer’s capabilities and performance. It serves as a bridge between the processor and other components, connecting them to each other and allowing data to be transferred more quickly. The chipset also controls the flow of power, which is essential for all components to function properly. Without a quality chipset, many aspects of your system would not be able to run at their full potential.

The most important feature of the chipset is its ability to support different types of hardware and provide compatibility with a wide range of peripherals and expansion cards. For example, a motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM will require an appropriate chipset in order for it to work properly, as it would not otherwise be compatible with the RAM. Similarly, some graphics cards require certain chipsets in order to function at their full capabilities.

The type of chipset you choose can also have a major impact on your system’s performance. Choosing the right chipset is an important decision that should not be taken lightly as it can make or break your computer experience.

Socket Type

The processor socket type is an integral part of selecting the right motherboard for your system. Each processor model has a specific socket type that is designed to fit into the corresponding motherboard.

It’s important to consider both the processor and motherboard compatibility when making your purchase decision.
For example, if you are choosing an Intel Core i7-8700K, you would need an LGA 1151 Socket Type Motherboard. This socket type is unique to this particular version of the Intel processor and will not fit in any other kind of motherboard.

Similarly, AMD Ryzen processors are compatible with AM4 sockets while AMD Threadripper CPUs use TRX40 sockets. Knowing what socket types are available and which ones your desired processor works with is essential for making sure you get the right part.

Socket Type

In addition to processor compatibility, socket types also play a role in determining the number of expansion slots and features that are available on a motherboard. The physical size of the socket will determine how many PCIe lanes, memory slots, and USB ports your system can have.

RAM slots

The number of RAM slots is also an important factor to consider when choosing a gaming motherboard. This refers to how many memory sticks your board can accommodate at once. Generally speaking, the more RAM slots, the better as it allows you to expand your system’s memory capacity in the future.

PCI Slots

The Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slots provide connections for various components, including video cards, sound cards, and network adapters. The number of PCI slots on the motherboard will determine how many additional components you can install in your system. When selecting a gaming motherboard, make sure you get one with enough PCI slots to accommodate all of your peripherals and upgrades. [5]


FAQ

Does ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F gaming have WiFi?

Yes, The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F gaming motherboard does come with WiFi. This is provided by the Intel 9560 802.11ac 2x2Wi-Fi card, which features Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless networking capabilities. It also supports up to 1.73Gbps transfer speeds, which is more than enough for streaming HD video or gaming online without any latency issues.

What is the difference between ASUS Z390-E and F?

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E and F motherboards have basically the same features but a few distinctions. For one, Strix Z390-E Gaming offers comparable wireless throughput for better Ethernet performance. The Z390-E also has a front-panel USB 3.1 Gen 2 connector, while the Z390-F is designed for chassis with Gen 1 ports up front.

Still, if those features aren’t that important to you, the Strix Z390-F is a great choice. It offers affordable pricing and all the core features you’d expect of an ASUS ROG motherboard, such as built-in RGB lighting, advanced overclocking options, and support for both Intel 8th & 9th Gen CPUs.

Is the ASUS ROG Strix motherboard good for gaming?

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is an excellent motherboard for gaming. It offers powerful performance, great stability and reliability, and a wide range of features that can help you maximize your gaming experience. The Intel Z390 chipset at the heart of the board provides support for 9th and 8th generation Intel processors, along with dual-channel DDR4 RAM (up to 4266MHz), onboard USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, and support for up to three M.2 SSDs in RAID mode. This gives you plenty of options for upgrading your components or expanding your storage capabilities.

Which ROG Strix motherboard is best?

It’s hard to answer which ROG Strix motherboard is best because it depends on what your needs and preferences are. Ultimately, the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming is probably the best choice if you’re looking for a highly-capable gaming motherboard that can handle all kinds of hardware, strong cooling capabilities and robust networking options. However, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming Motherboard is also an excellent option if you’re more focused on overclocking and performance. The Z390-F has support for both 8th and 9th Gen Intel CPUs, as well as plenty of PCIe slots for GPU upgrades in the future.

Related Video: ASUS ROG STRIX Z390 F GAMING VIDEO PREVIEW

Conclusion

Picking a motherboard for your gaming build can be a daunting task. With so many different models and components to choose from, it can be hard to make the right decision. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is an excellent option for those looking for a powerful, reliable motherboard that supports 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors. It’s well-built with plenty of features, making it easy to overclock your CPU and get maximum performance out of any game or other application you run on your rig. Thanks to its intuitive design, great aesthetics, and gaming-friendly features, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is without a doubt one of the best motherboards available today.

This motherboard offers you a plenty of connectivity options, great performance, and stability. It supports up to 64GB of RAM and has multiple USB ports and built-in Wi-Fi for added convenience. The motherboard is also optimized for gaming, allowing you to experience the full power of your processor and graphics card with no lag or frame rate drops.

If you’re looking for a high-end motherboard that won’t break the bank and will provide reliable performance, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is an excellent choice. With its robust build quality, intuitive design, great features, and excellent value proposition, this is an ideal option for gamers who are serious about getting the most out of their rig. However, it’s certainly worth noting that you may find products that offer the same performance but for a cheaper price, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. No matter what you decide, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F is without a doubt one of the best motherboards on the market today.


References:

  1. https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z390-f-gaming-model/
  2. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/asus-rog-strix-z390-e-gaming-atx-motherboard,6042.html
  3. https://www.game-debate.com/motherboard/index.php?mot_id=4452&motherboard=Asus%20ROG%20STRIX%20Z390-F%20GAMING
  4. https://www.amazon.com/ROG-Strix-Z390-F-Gaming-Motherboard/dp/B07J53J483
  5. https://shop.bt.com/guides/buying-guides/what-to-consider-when-buying-a-motherboard