Intel Z890 Motherboard Mega Guide (2025) — ASUS, ASRock, GIGABYTE & MSI

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-I Gaming WiFi — small box, big platform

Mini-ITX forces tradeoffs, but Strix-I preserves the big ones: PEG stays Gen5 x16, you still get a CPU-Gen5 M.2, and ASUS finds room for multiple Gen4 M.2 via clever stacking/caddies. VRM density is high with tight fin arrays and a backplate to spread heat; give it clear top exhaust and it behaves like a far larger board in sustained loads.

I/O is strong for the size—Wi-Fi 7, solid rear USB mix, and useful front 20Gbps. If you need TB, confirm the exact SKU/region; otherwise plan a TB4 add-in via a riser in cases that allow it. Memory tuning is more sensitive on ITX due to routing density; stick to known-good kits for high-7K XMP at 64–96 GB.

Spec snapshot

1. 1. • Mini-ITX, dense VRM with fin arrays/backplate
      • 2× DDR5 SODIMM or DIMM (model dependent), daily XMP
      • PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU-Gen5 M.2 + stacked Gen4 M.2
      • Wi-Fi 7, strong front USB-C

Official page: ROG Strix Z890-I