Sandbar Stream AI smart ring at $249+ – serious wearable, or just another niche gadget?

What this guide is (and isn’t) – Z890 for LGA1851 / Core Ultra (Series 2) looks simple on a datasheet, but real builds succeed or suffer with four things: lane wiring, VRM plus heatsink surface area, DDR5 topology/training, and day-to-day QoL (tool-less M.2, Q-Release, Flashback, debug). I’ve written this as a practical platform deep-dive first, then board-by-board analyses you can actually build from.

Z890: platform plumbing you’ll feel

CPU vs PCH lanes. Arrow Lake desktop CPUs expose PCIe 5.0 x16 (PEG) and a separate PCIe 5.0 x4 for a CPU-attached NVMe, plus an extra CPU PCIe 4.0 x4. The chipset (Z890) supplies up to 24× PCIe 4.0 lanes behind a DMI 4.0 ×8 backhaul (~PCIe 4.0 ×8 bandwidth). Translation: you can run a full-bandwidth Gen5 GPU and a Gen5 boot/cache SSD without downshifting the GPU, while hanging multiple Gen4 SSDs and controllers off the PCH. If you hammer everything at once (multi-drive writes plus 20Gbps USB plus 10GbE), you flirt with the DMI roof. Mapping OS/cache to the CPU Gen5 M.2 keeps the UI snappy regardless.

USB / SATA / display. Z890 allows generous mixes of USB 10/20Gbps; vendors decide the exact spread. Up to eight SATA remain, often with sharing when you populate the lowest M.2 slots. Up to four iGPU-driven displays (board wiring permitting) help with diagnostics even on a discrete GPU system.

Thunderbolt and USB4. The chipset does not bake TB; vendors add TB4 or TB5 via controllers and DP-In wiring. TB4 covers most creator chains today (displays, DAS, capture). TB5 (80/120 Gbps) shows up on halo creator boards and meaningfully widens headroom for multi-8K and fast external NVMe arrays.

Networking. Expect universal 2.5GbE and Wi-Fi 6E/7, with 5/10GbE on creator/halo SKUs. If a 10G NAS is in your life, onboard 10GbE changes workflows more than another RGB header ever will.

DDR5 topology. Two-DIMM (1DPC) boards widen eye margins for 8200–9000+ MT/s and reduce “it trained yesterday” gremlins. Four-DIMM boards win on capacity (96–128 GB) and, with modern training (AEMP/DIMM Flex and equivalents), daily high-7K XMP is unremarkable.

Thermals and fan noise. Finned VRM and M.2 sinks beat smooth shrouds. Better surface area lowers Vdroop under sustained loads, so you need less guard-band voltage and hear fewer fan spikes. Add a top-rear exhaust; do not drape AIO tubes over the top VRM finfield. Start with vendor boost or AI presets, then validate with your workloads and nudge LLC one step softer to curb overshoot and random WHEA.

Chipset block diagram

For a visual of CPU vs PCH lanes and DMI see the Intel Z890 specifications.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme – the no-compromise showcase

Extreme is ASUS’s statement board: more copper, bigger fin stacks, thicker backplates, and a slot/M.2 map designed to let you run a Gen5 GPU, a CPU-attached Gen5 x4 boot/cache SSD, and a small fleet of PCH Gen4 drives without lane roulette. The VRM is overspecified to make sustained all-core loads boring; surface area and heatpipe geometry keep MOSFET deltas low so you do not lean on LLC to hide droop. Practically, you end up with lower noise across long renders/compiles and fewer clock dips mid-export.

Storage is where Extreme excels. In addition to the CPU Gen5 bay, ASUS bundles multi-M.2 risers and finned plates that actually wick heat rather than smother it under decorative shells. If you run a write-heavy scratch on Gen4 and a hot cache on Gen5, the thermal budget here means fewer throttling events. TB4/TB5 (region-dependent), Wi-Fi 7, and a deep USB roster are present, and networking variants with 10GbE exist in some markets. QoL is fully loaded: Slot Q-Release, tool-less M.2 Q-Latch, postcode/Q-LED, BIOS FlashBack, and rich fan controls.

Memory is 4-DIMM (2DPC) with ASUS’s AEMP III/DIMM Flex tooling. Even at 96–128 GB, high-7K XMP is realistic. If you chase 8600–9000+ MT/s for sport, the Apex (2-DIMM) is cleaner. The reason to buy Extreme over Hero is lane/port density and thermal headroom if you genuinely plan to run five-plus NVMe and multiple high-speed peripherals simultaneously.

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, flagship SPS VRM with large fin heatsinks and heatpipe
4× DDR5 (AEMP III / DIMM Flex), 96–128 GB friendly
PCIe 5.0 x16 GPU; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multi-Gen4 M.2 via risers
TB4/TB5 (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, rich USB, some SKUs with 10GbE

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero – pragmatic flagship you can daily

Hero is the “everything you will actually use” flagship. You keep the core platform wins – full Gen5 x16 PEG and a CPU-attached Gen5 x4 M.2 – along with multiple Gen4 bays under real fin plates. TB4 on the back IO, Wi-Fi 7, and a deep Type-A/Type-C mix mean docks and DAS behave without adapters. The VRM is high-count SPS with fin stacks and a heatpipe that genuinely moves heat; add one top-rear exhaust and the board stays quiet under long i7/i9 all-core events. Less heat equals less guard-band voltage equals fewer fan spikes.

Memory is 4-DIMM with mature training (AEMP III / DIMM Flex / Dim Fit). For capacity-heavy builds (96–128 GB), one-click XMP in the high-7K range is unremarkable today. If you live for memory leaderboards, buy Apex. Otherwise, Hero trades a few percent of headroom for convenience and stable training. QoL is superb: Slot Q-Release Slim, M.2 Q-Latch, FlashBack, postcode, and clear AC/DC loadline controls. Start with Intel 200S Boost or vendor AI as a baseline, then validate with your apps and soften LLC a notch to tame overshoot without tanking clocks.

Spec snapshot

ATX, high-count SPS VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with robust training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2 plus several PCH Gen4
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, strong USB roster

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero BTF – rear-connector tidiness without compromise

Hero BTF moves major headers to the board’s back edge for immaculate cable routing in BTF cases. Electrically it is a Hero at heart – same PEG x16 plus CPU Gen5 M.2 fundamentals, same class of VRM and fin stacks – but the build experience is cleaner and airflow less obstructed. If you loathe front-side cable clutter and want the performance/thermals of Hero, BTF is the cleanest route.

Thermally, BTF’s advantage is mainly mechanical: fewer front-side cable looms over the VRM and M.2 heatsinks means the fin fields see real airflow. In long all-core or NVMe write workloads, that translates into a slightly lower noise floor at the same performance. Confirm case compatibility; BTF requires the matching chassis mounting cutouts and GPU connector placement (ASUS sells BTF GPUs that mate with the rear power slot).

Spec snapshot

ATX, rear-connector routing, Hero-class VRM and heatsinks
4× DDR5 with AEMP III / DIMM Flex
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multiple PCH Gen4
TB4, Wi-Fi 7, abundant USB; BTF case/GPU compatibility required

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex – the two-DIMM margin monster

Apex exists so DDR5 tuning feels predictable. With one DIMM per channel, trace length and stubs are minimized, eye margins widen, and training goes from temperamental to repeatable even as ambient temps swing. If your fun is tightening secondaries and pushing 8200–9000+ MT/s, Apex is the right foundation.

Outside memory antics, Apex behaves like a competent flagship: PEG at Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2 for OS/cache, and a healthy PCH Gen4 spread for scratch/projects – all under legitimate fin plates. TB4 on the rear, Wi-Fi 7, sensible front 20Gbps, and bench-friendly switches (safe-boot/retry, LN2/slow-mode headers) save time even at ambient. VRM fin stacks keep transients clean; you can run a softer LLC and still hold clocks during mixed AVX/light loads.

Spec snapshot

ATX, flagship SPS VRM with fin stacks, bench controls
2× DDR5 (1DPC) with AEMP III / DIMM Flex / NitroPath
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, rich I/O

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi – gamer creator hybrid with headroom

Strix-E gives you much of the Maximus experience without the price tag: full Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2, a generous M.2 count (often six-plus), TB4 on rear IO, Wi-Fi 7, and finned heatsinks over the hot zones. The VRM is comfortably sized for i7/i9 all-core with a simple top-rear exhaust; training for high-7K XMP at 96–128 GB is unremarkable with AEMP III / DIMM Flex.

The layout is friendly to capture cards and front USB-C ingest. Park OS/cache on the CPU Gen5 bay, put write-heavy scratch under the fattest PCH sink, and keep “cold” libraries in the lowest slot. QoL includes Slot Q-Release, M.2 Q-Latch, FlashBack, and sane fan control presets. It is the board I price against everything else in this tier.

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin stacks
4× DDR5 with modern training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, strong front 20Gbps

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi – enthusiast sweet spot

Strix-F trims a little I/O versus the E but keeps the platform wins: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, ample PCH Gen4 bays with real heatsinks, Wi-Fi 7, and strong front 20Gbps. If you do not need TB4, this is often the better buy – money saved that you can funnel into a larger Gen4 SSD or a better GPU tier.

Thermally, fin stacks and sensible fan mapping keep MOSFETs and top-edge M.2 in line; memory training is predictable at daily XMP, even with four DIMMs. QoL remains strong: Q-Release, Q-Latch, FlashBack, debug LEDs, and clear AC/DC settings make quick work of tuning.

Spec snapshot

ATX, enthusiast VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, deep USB; TB optional via add-in

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi – style-leaning, fundamentals intact

Strix-A is the aesthetic sibling that still lands the Z890 fundamentals: Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 M.2 with proper heatsinks, Wi-Fi 7, and front 20Gbps. It costs less than an E/F while keeping the slotting and thermals you actually notice. If you do not need TB or premium audio, this is the sensible “looks good, runs great” pick.

Training for high-7K XMP is straightforward at capacity; the VRM’s fin mass keeps it quiet with basic case airflow. The board’s mechanicals (Q-Release and Q-Latch) make GPU and SSD swaps painless.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, strong front USB-C 20Gbps

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 and 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

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

ASUS ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi – TB5/TB4 plus 10GbE for frictionless studios

ProArt makes creator workflows plug-and-go: TB5 plus TB4 on the rear, 10GbE plus 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 7, and a front 20Gbps Type-C with decent charging. You keep the Z890 fundamentals (Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2) and get five M.2 total under legitimately finned plates. That means OS/cache on Gen5, scratch/proxies on Gen4, and an archive tier without throttling mid-export.

VRM design is conservative and quiet; with top-rear exhaust, MOSFET temps are flat and fan ramps gentle. Firmware favors stability over vanity numbers, which is exactly what you want when deadlines loom.

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin plates
4× DDR5, stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; 1× Gen5 plus 4× Gen4 M.2
TB5 and TB4 rear, 10GbE plus 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 7, front 20Gbps

ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-Plus WiFi – fundamentals first, value intact

TUF-Plus focuses on what matters: Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2, several Gen4 M.2 with real covers, Wi-Fi 7, and a stout VRM with fin mass. Lane sharing is simpler than on halo boards, so fully-populated builds have fewer “disable when used” surprises. With a basic top-rear exhaust, it runs i7/i9 quietly under long workloads.

Training for high-7K XMP is easy, even with 96–128 GB. QoL is present: Q-Release, M.2 Q-Latch, FlashBack, and clear load-line controls. If you do not need TB or 10GbE, the savings buy you more NVMe or a better GPU.

Spec snapshot

ATX, 16+ phase class VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with predictable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, front 20Gbps

ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-Pro WiFi – the sturdier TUF with extra I/O

TUF-Pro nudges I/O and power delivery up a notch versus TUF-Plus. You still get the Z890 fundamentals and quiet thermals, but with a richer USB spread and, in some regions, add-on TB via header. It is the “stretch once” option if you expect to add more fast storage and front-panel devices over time.

Spec snapshot

ATX, stronger VRM and fin mass than Plus
4× DDR5 with easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, better rear/front USB mix

ASUS PRIME Z890-P – minimalist aesthetics, correct wiring

PRIME Z890-P keeps the essentials: full Gen5 PEG, a CPU Gen5 M.2 for OS/cache, and several Gen4 M.2 with sensible heatsinks. You trade away TB and some premium audio for price, but the electrical layout – the part that affects real performance – stays correct. If you are funneling budget into GPU and NVMe, PRIME is a quiet enabler.

Spec snapshot

ATX, competent VRM with real finning
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Modern USB plus Wi-Fi option via variant

ASUS PRIME Z890-P WiFi – same wiring, better convenience

This variant adds Wi-Fi out of the box and often a richer USB header mix while keeping the exact platform fundamentals. If you want a “set-and-forget” build with modern wireless and no TB requirement, it is the safe pick.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi integrated; practical USB layout

ASRock Z890 Taichi OCF – overclocking-first Taichi

Taichi OCF leans toward benchers and tweakers: stronger power delivery, generous fin heatsinks, and firmware that exposes granular AC/DC and DRAM knobs without burying them. Slotting maintains PEG Gen5 x16 and CPU Gen5 x4 M.2, then builds out a healthy Gen4 population with toolless plates. If you want Taichi’s aesthetic and feature balance but with more OC runway, this is the variant.

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium SPS VRM, fin stacks
4× DDR5; strong training at capacity, deep DRAM controls
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
USB4 or TB-class rear, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE (model/region)

ASRock Z890 Taichi AQUA – integrated waterblock, maximal I/O

AQUA is ASRock’s halo, pairing a VRM waterblock with thick M.2 plates and abundant I/O. With a CPU/GPU loop already planned, VRM temps become a non-issue even during hours-long exports or simulations; you can run a softer LLC and reduce guard-band voltage without courting droop. USB4 or TB-class rear, Wi-Fi 7, and in many regions 10GbE plus 2.5GbE make AQUA a turnkey workstation foundation.

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, VRM waterblock plus fin plates
4× DDR5; capacity-first with clean training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
USB4/TB-class, Wi-Fi 7, 10GbE plus 2.5GbE (region)

ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi – rugged styling, correct wiring

Steel Legend balances value and features: Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2, a decent spread of Gen4 M.2 under real heatsinks, and Wi-Fi 7/2.5GbE. The VRM heatsink has genuine fin mass; with straightforward airflow it keeps i7/i9 in check without noisy curves. Firmware is cleaner than earlier generations, with sensible defaults and clear debug.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5; daily high-7K XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, practical USB

ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi – feature-dense ATX with creator tilt

Nova aims at prosumers: USB4 or TB-class rear in many regions, Wi-Fi 7, and slotting that keeps the GPU breathing while providing four-to-five M.2. Toolless plates and real finning over the hottest bays reduce throttling during sustained writes. It is a very easy recommendation for mixed editing/gaming rigs that do not need the AQUA treatment.

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM, fin plates over M.2
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
USB4/TB-class (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE

ASRock Z890I Nova WiFi – compact, still Z890 where it counts

ITX Nova keeps PEG at Gen5 x16 and includes a CPU Gen5 M.2 plus stacked Gen4 bays. Dense VRM with a backplate and fin arrays needs clear top exhaust, after which it behaves better than many ATX value boards under all-core loads. USB4 or TB-class appears in some regions; otherwise plan an add-in where chassis permit.

Spec snapshot

Mini-ITX, dense VRM, fin/backplate cooling
2× DDR5; choose known-good kits for high XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, strong rear/front USB mix

ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi – gaming-leaning value with Gen5 where it counts

Lightning focuses spend on the electricals: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, several Gen4 bays with real plates, and a competent VRM sink. You lose some rear I/O frills but keep performance-critical wiring. Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5GbE round it out for sensible mid-high builds.

Spec snapshot

ATX, value-oriented VRM with finning
4× DDR5; easy daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890 Riptide WiFi – mainstream done right

Riptide keeps the Z890 fundamentals and offers a friendlier price by trimming non-essentials. It is the board you buy to push budget toward GPU and SSD while keeping the wiring and thermals that preserve performance consistency.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned plates
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890M Riptide WiFi – compact ATX features in mATX footprint

mATX Riptide preserves the core: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, and stacked Gen4 options under real heatsinks in a smaller footprint. Great for airflow-first micro-towers where you still want multiple NVMe and a modern I/O set.

Spec snapshot

mATX, efficient VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890 Pro RS – value workhorse, storage-friendly

Pro RS is the “do not step on rakes” board: correct Gen5 PEG plus CPU Gen5 M.2 wiring, generous Gen4 bays with functional plates, Wi-Fi 7/6E options, and sane firmware defaults. It is built for people who value stability and expansion over halo marketing.

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM, finned M.2/VRM plates
4× DDR5; high-7K XMP at capacity is realistic
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4
2.5GbE, Wi-Fi option, front 20Gbps

ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi – small step up in I/O

Pro-A WiFi nudges the I/O story upwards while keeping Pro RS wiring and thermals. If you want a few more ports and integrated Wi-Fi without entering creator territory, this is the right hop.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM
4× DDR5; daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), solid USB mix

ASRock Z890-CW – workstation-leaning wiring

Z890-CW targets workstation builders: lane maps that keep PEG at Gen5 x16 with CPU Gen5 storage intact while offering clear add-in card options (NICs/capture). Expect fewer cosmetic frills, more measurable stability and slot clarity. If your tower is a tool, not a toy, CW is the kind of board you keep for years.

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin mass
4× DDR5; high-capacity XMP with minimal fuss
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4, tidy lane tables
2.5/5/10GbE options by region, Wi-Fi 7

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS MASTER – heavy thermal budget, creator-grade I/O

AORUS MASTER is the “throw everything at it” board. You keep a full-bandwidth PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG for the GPU and a CPU-attached PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 bay for OS/cache, then add a deep bench of PCIe 4.0 PCH M.2 under thick, finned shields. GIGABYTE’s “thermal armor” is not cosmetic; it is dense extrusion with real finfield that holds SSD temps well into sustained writes, which keeps capture/ingest smooth while timelines render.

Connectivity lands squarely in creator territory: many regions get dual Thunderbolt 4 on the rear IO and 10GbE alongside Wi-Fi 7; others swap to single TB4 and 2.5GbE. Either way, it is easy to run TB storage/displays while uplinking to a 10G NAS without a PCIe NIC. QoL is excellent: EZ-Latch for PCIe and M.2, postcode plus onboard buttons, and sensor-aware fan control that lets you bind a top intake to the M.2 sensor (my favorite trick to stop Gen4 throttling).

On the power side, the SPS VRM with tall fin stacks keeps i7/i9 all-core loads boringly stable; you can step one notch softer on LLC, trim guard-band voltage, and reduce fan sawtooth. Memory training is mature – high-7K XMP at 96–128 GB is very achievable, and telemetry exposes when a stick is marginal so you troubleshoot in minutes, not hours.

Spec snapshot

ATX, high-count SPS VRM with heavy fin armor
4× DDR5 with robust XMP training and telemetry
PCIe 5.0 x16 GPU; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2 plus several Gen4 M.2
TB4 (often dual), Wi-Fi 7, 10GbE/2.5GbE (region)

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS PRO ICE – premium wiring, saner price

PRO ICE is the cooler-toned sibling to MASTER. You still get PEG Gen5 x16 and a CPU Gen5 x4 M.2, plus four-to-five Gen4 M.2 with finned plates, Wi-Fi 7, and a well-rounded USB roster. TB often drops to a single TB4 or USB4-class port depending on region; for many creators, that is enough to chain a display and a fast NVMe enclosure.

Thermally, the VRM sinks are dense and well-spaced from the rear IO shroud, so a simple top-rear exhaust keeps MOSFET temps flat in all-core work. EZ-Latch everywhere, clear bifurcation tables in the manual, and fan policies tied to the right sensors make this one of the most painless “premium but not halo” builds.

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong SPS VRM with tall fins
4× DDR5; high-capacity XMP stability
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4/USB4 (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 – the sensible gamer creator baseline

ELITE WIFI7 keeps the platform wins that matter (PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 M.2 under real heatsinks) and trims the luxury trimmings. If you do not need onboard TB or 10GbE, the ELITE is an easy way to funnel budget into a bigger GPU or more NVMe while preserving consistent performance under load.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM with fin armor
4× DDR5; daily XMP at 96–128 GB
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 x4 plus several Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, strong front 20Gbps

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE – ELITE fundamentals, white aesthetic

Functionally similar to ELITE WIFI7 with a white “ICE” finish. Same PEG and CPU Gen5 wiring, same M.2 layout under fin plates, same Wi-Fi 7/2.5GbE. Choose this if your build theme is bright but you do not want to sacrifice electricals or thermals.

Spec snapshot

ATX, ELITE-class VRM/heatsinks in white
4× DDR5; easy high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AERO G – creator layout done right

AERO G targets external-heavy workflows: rear Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, robust front USB-C 20Gbps, and 5× M.2 with fin plates. The slot spacing leaves the GPU breathing room while giving you a lane-sane slot for capture/NIC. Sensor-driven fan control makes it trivial to tie intake to M.2 temps to prevent throttling during long writes.

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong VRM with fin armor
4× DDR5; stable XMP/telemetry
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7

GIGABYTE Z890 GAMING X WIFI7 – mainstream that keeps the wiring

GAMING X WIFI7 is a value-minded ATX board that preserves the performance-critical pieces: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, several Gen4 bays, and finned heatsinks. You give up TB and heavier armor, but keep the platform consistency that matters for real FPS and export times.

Spec snapshot

ATX, competent VRM with finning
4× DDR5; easy daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890M GAMING X – compact footprint, correct lanes

mATX done properly: PEG stays Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2 remains available, and stacked Gen4 M.2 get real plates. Great for airflow-first micro-towers where you still want multi-NVMe and a sane slot for capture or I/O.

Spec snapshot

mATX, efficient VRM cooling
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AI TOP – add-in friendly layout for accelerators

AI TOP prioritizes slot topology and power delivery for add-ins (capture, high-speed I/O, accelerator cards). PEG and CPU Gen5 M.2 remain intact; secondary slots pull from PCH Gen4 with clear sharing tables. If you plan dual add-ins plus multiple NVMe, this is the budget-sane layout that will not booby-trap your lanes.

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM for sustained load
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, deep USB

GIGABYTE Z890 EAGLE – entry aesthetic, non-entry wiring

EAGLE trims RGB and armor but keeps the PEG Gen5 x16 plus CPU Gen5 M.2 core and several Gen4 bays with practical heatsinks. It is the budget-anchored board that still respects the electricals that make real-world performance consistent.

Spec snapshot

ATX, value VRM with proper sinks
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

Official page: Z890 EAGLE

MSI MEG Z890 GODLIKE – the showcase you build a lab around

GODLIKE is MSI’s “no compromises” E-ATX: hulking fin stacks, heatpipes everywhere, stacked M.2 with Shield Frozr plates that actually shed heat, and lane maps that keep PEG Gen5 x16 and CPU Gen5 M.2 impartial while still leaving room for add-ins. In many regions you will see Thunderbolt 4, 10GbE, Wi-Fi 7, and front USB-C with real power delivery. It is a board for people who will run a 10G backbone, multiple NVMe tiers, and specialty cards without juggling.

Power delivery is predictably overbuilt; with a top-rear exhaust you can run soft LLC and still avoid Vdroop drama in mixed AVX/light loads. MSI’s BIOS exposes clean AC/DC loadline controls and memory context restore that shortens boot cycles; high-7K XMP at 128 GB is on the table.

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, flagship VRM with tall fin arrays and heatpipes
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus many Gen4 M.2
TB4, Wi-Fi 7, often 10GbE

Official page: MEG Z890 GODLIKE

MSI MEG Z890 ACE – premium ATX, sane footprint

ACE takes most of GODLIKE’s daily wins – PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 x4 M.2, five total M.2 with real plates, TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7 – and compresses them into ATX. It is the “near-halo” board that still fits comfortably in more cases and airflow plans.

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium VRM with fin stacks
4× DDR5; high-7K XMP at 96–128 GB
PCIe 5.0 x16; 5× M.2 (including CPU Gen5)
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, 5GbE (region)

Official page: MEG Z890 ACE

MSI MEG Z890 UNIFY-X – two-DIMM margin, bench controls

UNIFY-X is MSI’s 2-DIMM scalpel for high DDR5. With one slot per channel, routing is short and clean, training predictable, and the eye diagram far more forgiving at 8200–9000+ MT/s. You still get PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, and multiple Gen4 bays under Shield Frozr. Bench-friendly buttons and headers shorten the tuning loop even if you never see LN2.

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium VRM with tall fins
2× DDR5 (1DPC), memory OC focus
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, robust USB

Official page: MEG Z890 UNIFY-X

MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WiFi – enthusiast sweet spot

CARBON is the board I often recommend before stepping up to ACE. You keep PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, five total M.2 with genuine heatsinks, TB4 rear in many regions, Wi-Fi 7, and MSI’s cleaner fan/OC tooling. It is a “plug in and create or game” platform with minimal compromises.

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong VRM with fin plates
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; 5× M.2 (including CPU Gen5)
TB4 (region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: MPG Z890 CARBON WiFi

MSI MPG Z890 EDGE TI WiFi – lighter armor, same wiring

EDGE TI trims some cosmetic heft while preserving the lane map: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 under good plates, Wi-Fi 7, and strong front USB-C. If you do not need TB, EDGE TI often prices best-in-tier while keeping real performance intact.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM with Shield Frozr
4× DDR5; easy XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: MPG Z890 EDGE TI WiFi

MSI MPG Z890I EDGE TI WiFi – ITX with real Gen5

ITX EDGE TI keeps PEG at Gen5 x16 and a CPU Gen5 M.2, stacking Gen4 bays with Shield Frozr plates. Dense VRM with a backplate wants a clean top exhaust; then it behaves like a larger board under sustained loads. Great for compact creator or gaming builds that still want honest storage throughput.

Spec snapshot

Mini-ITX, dense VRM fins/backplate
2× DDR5; choose known-good kits
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, solid USB layout

Official page: MPG Z890I EDGE TI WiFi

MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WiFi – value that does not sabotage performance

Tomahawk preserves PEG Gen5 x16 and CPU Gen5 M.2, gives you multiple Gen4 bays with real heatsinks, and a VRM fin stack that is bigger than you would expect for the price. Training for high-7K XMP is easy at 96–128 GB, and MSI’s debug LEDs/postcode save time on day-one boot.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, Shield Frozr plates
4× DDR5; daily high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, front 20Gbps

Official page: MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WiFi

MSI Z890 GAMING PLUS WiFi – mainstream done right

GAMING PLUS WiFi trims aesthetics and TB but keeps the electricals that matter: PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 bays, Wi-Fi 7, and a sane USB mix. It is the budget that does not become a bottleneck later.

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: Z890 GAMING PLUS WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-P WiFi – office workstation friendly baseline

PRO P WiFi keeps PEG Gen5 x16 and CPU Gen5 M.2 intact, adds multiple Gen4 bays, and prioritizes reliable thermals and IO over cosmetics. If your tower is a tool for code, DAW or light NLE, this is the frictionless baseline.

Spec snapshot

ATX, conservative VRM sinks
4× DDR5; stable XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-P WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-P – wired-first variant

Same wiring, thermals, and storage topology as PRO P WiFi without the wireless module. Ideal if you are wiring with 2.5/10GbE and want a cleaner BOM.

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM
4× DDR5; daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
2.5GbE, add Wi-Fi later if needed

Official page: PRO Z890-P

MSI PRO Z890-A WiFi – extra headers and IO where offices need it

PRO A WiFi nudges front-panel options and rear USB up a notch versus PRO P while keeping the same PEG/CPU Gen5 wiring and Gen4 storage spread. It is the “office plus lab” pick when you will add more front devices over time.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE, richer USB

Official page: PRO Z890-A WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi – slim aesthetic, same core

PRO S WiFi keeps the electricals identical to other PRO variants (PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 bays) with a cleaner aesthetic and simplified armor. Great for stealth builds that still demand consistency under load.

Spec snapshot

ATX, minimalist armor over fin plates
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White – white theme, unchanged wiring

Identical platform fundamentals as PRO Z890-S WiFi with a white finish. If your build is bright, this is the no-compromise aesthetic route.

Spec snapshot

ATX, white armor over fin plates
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi White

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi PZ – back-connect cable management

PZ is MSI’s back-connect variant: major headers on the rear for clean cable routing in compatible cases. Electrically it mirrors PRO S WiFi – PEG Gen5 x16, CPU Gen5 M.2, multiple Gen4 bays – while airflow benefits from a clearer front face. Confirm chassis support before ordering.

Spec snapshot

ATX, rear-connector layout, finned cooling
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi PZ

Z890 buyer’s guide – quick picks, with the “why”

Best overall (premium ATX): MSI MEG Z890 ACE or GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS MASTER. ACE if you want near-halo in standard ATX with mature BIOS and 5GbE/TB4 options; MASTER if you want heavier thermal mass and frequent 10GbE/TB4 bundles.

Best creator I/O: ASUS ProArt Z890-Creator (TB5 plus TB4 plus 10GbE plus 2.5GbE) or GIGABYTE Z890 AERO G (TB4, creator-friendly slotting).

Best DDR5 overclocking: ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex or MSI MEG Z890 UNIFY-X – 2-DIMM topologies for headroom and repeatable training.

Best value ATX (gaming/creator mixed): MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK, ASUS TUF Z890-Plus, GIGABYTE Z890 GAMING X WIFI7, ASRock Z890 Pro RS. All keep PEG Gen5 x16 plus CPU Gen5 M.2 and real heatsinks.

Small form factor: ASUS Strix Z890-I or MSI MPG Z890I EDGE TI – ensure good top exhaust; both keep real Gen5 wiring and stacked Gen4 bays.

Decision notes

External workflows (TB storage/displays): Prioritize TB4/TB5 boards (ProArt, MASTER, AERO G, ACE/CARBON in TB regions).
10G now or soon: Prefer on-board 10GbE (ProArt, MASTER, AQUA, some GODLIKE SKUs) – saves slots and heat.
Lots of hot NVMe: Look for fin mass over M.2, sensor-tied fans, and simple sharing tables.
Memory capacity vs clocks: 4-DIMM for 96–128 GB stability; 2-DIMM if your hobby is 8K+ MT/s.

Build checklist

OS/apps on the CPU Gen5 M.2, scratch on the fattest-sink PCH Gen4, “cold” libraries low/far.
One top-rear exhaust keeps VRM and M.2 temps flat and fan curves calm.
Start with vendor boost or AI; validate with your apps; soften LLC one step to curb overshoot.
Read the manual’s lane and SATA sharing table once; plan add-ins accordingly.

Bottom line: Pick the board that gets your wiring, thermals, and I/O right for your workflow. Cosmetics come last; a quiet, responsive system comes from lane sanity, fin area, and the right slot for the right drive.

Z890: platform plumbing you’ll feel

Networking. Expect universal 2.5GbE and Wi-Fi 6E/7, with 5/10GbE on creator/halo SKUs. If a 10G NAS is in your life, onboard 10GbE changes workflows more than another RGB header ever will.

Chipset block diagram

For a visual of CPU vs PCH lanes and DMI see the Intel Z890 specifications.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Extreme – the no-compromise showcase

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, flagship SPS VRM with large fin heatsinks and heatpipe
4× DDR5 (AEMP III / DIMM Flex), 96–128 GB friendly
PCIe 5.0 x16 GPU; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multi-Gen4 M.2 via risers
TB4/TB5 (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, rich USB, some SKUs with 10GbE

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero – pragmatic flagship you can daily

Spec snapshot

ATX, high-count SPS VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with robust training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2 plus several PCH Gen4
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, strong USB roster

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero BTF – rear-connector tidiness without compromise

Spec snapshot

ATX, rear-connector routing, Hero-class VRM and heatsinks
4× DDR5 with AEMP III / DIMM Flex
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multiple PCH Gen4
TB4, Wi-Fi 7, abundant USB; BTF case/GPU compatibility required

ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex – the two-DIMM margin monster

Spec snapshot

ATX, flagship SPS VRM with fin stacks, bench controls
2× DDR5 (1DPC) with AEMP III / DIMM Flex / NitroPath
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2; multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, rich I/O

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi – gamer creator hybrid with headroom

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin stacks
4× DDR5 with modern training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, strong front 20Gbps

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming WiFi – enthusiast sweet spot

Spec snapshot

ATX, enthusiast VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, deep USB; TB optional via add-in

ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi – style-leaning, fundamentals intact

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, strong front USB-C 20Gbps

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

Spec snapshot

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

ASUS ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi – TB5/TB4 plus 10GbE for frictionless studios

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin plates
4× DDR5, stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; 1× Gen5 plus 4× Gen4 M.2
TB5 and TB4 rear, 10GbE plus 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 7, front 20Gbps

ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-Plus WiFi – fundamentals first, value intact

Spec snapshot

ATX, 16+ phase class VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5 with predictable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, front 20Gbps

ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-Pro WiFi – the sturdier TUF with extra I/O

Spec snapshot

ATX, stronger VRM and fin mass than Plus
4× DDR5 with easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, better rear/front USB mix

ASUS PRIME Z890-P – minimalist aesthetics, correct wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, competent VRM with real finning
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Modern USB plus Wi-Fi option via variant

ASUS PRIME Z890-P WiFi – same wiring, better convenience

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi integrated; practical USB layout

ASRock Z890 Taichi OCF – overclocking-first Taichi

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium SPS VRM, fin stacks
4× DDR5; strong training at capacity, deep DRAM controls
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
USB4 or TB-class rear, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE (model/region)

ASRock Z890 Taichi AQUA – integrated waterblock, maximal I/O

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, VRM waterblock plus fin plates
4× DDR5; capacity-first with clean training
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
USB4/TB-class, Wi-Fi 7, 10GbE plus 2.5GbE (region)

ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi – rugged styling, correct wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned heatsinks
4× DDR5; daily high-7K XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, practical USB

ASRock Z890 Nova WiFi – feature-dense ATX with creator tilt

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM, fin plates over M.2
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
USB4/TB-class (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE

ASRock Z890I Nova WiFi – compact, still Z890 where it counts

Spec snapshot

Mini-ITX, dense VRM, fin/backplate cooling
2× DDR5; choose known-good kits for high XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, strong rear/front USB mix

ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi – gaming-leaning value with Gen5 where it counts

Spec snapshot

ATX, value-oriented VRM with finning
4× DDR5; easy daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multi-Gen4
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890 Riptide WiFi – mainstream done right

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, finned plates
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890M Riptide WiFi – compact ATX features in mATX footprint

Spec snapshot

mATX, efficient VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

ASRock Z890 Pro RS – value workhorse, storage-friendly

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM, finned M.2/VRM plates
4× DDR5; high-7K XMP at capacity is realistic
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4
2.5GbE, Wi-Fi option, front 20Gbps

ASRock Z890 Pro-A WiFi – small step up in I/O

Pro-A WiFi nudges the I/O story upwards while keeping Pro RS wiring and thermals. If you want a few more ports and integrated Wi-Fi without entering creator territory, this is the right hop.

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM
4× DDR5; daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), solid USB mix

ASRock Z890-CW – workstation-leaning wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM with fin mass
4× DDR5; high-capacity XMP with minimal fuss
PCIe 5.0 x16 PEG; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4, tidy lane tables
2.5/5/10GbE options by region, Wi-Fi 7

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS MASTER – heavy thermal budget, creator-grade I/O

Spec snapshot

ATX, high-count SPS VRM with heavy fin armor
4× DDR5 with robust XMP training and telemetry
PCIe 5.0 x16 GPU; CPU Gen5 x4 M.2 plus several Gen4 M.2
TB4 (often dual), Wi-Fi 7, 10GbE/2.5GbE (region)

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS PRO ICE – premium wiring, saner price

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong SPS VRM with tall fins
4× DDR5; high-capacity XMP stability
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 x4 plus multi-Gen4 M.2
TB4/USB4 (model/region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5/5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 – the sensible gamer creator baseline

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM with fin armor
4× DDR5; daily XMP at 96–128 GB
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 x4 plus several Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, strong front 20Gbps

GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE – ELITE fundamentals, white aesthetic

Spec snapshot

ATX, ELITE-class VRM/heatsinks in white
4× DDR5; easy high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AERO G – creator layout done right

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong VRM with fin armor
4× DDR5; stable XMP/telemetry
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus multiple Gen4 M.2
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7

GIGABYTE Z890 GAMING X WIFI7 – mainstream that keeps the wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, competent VRM with finning
4× DDR5; easy daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890M GAMING X – compact footprint, correct lanes

Spec snapshot

mATX, efficient VRM cooling
4× DDR5; daily XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

GIGABYTE Z890 AI TOP – add-in friendly layout for accelerators

Spec snapshot

ATX, robust VRM for sustained load
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, deep USB

GIGABYTE Z890 EAGLE – entry aesthetic, non-entry wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, value VRM with proper sinks
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

Official page: Z890 EAGLE

MSI MEG Z890 GODLIKE – the showcase you build a lab around

Spec snapshot

E-ATX, flagship VRM with tall fin arrays and heatpipes
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus many Gen4 M.2
TB4, Wi-Fi 7, often 10GbE

Official page: MEG Z890 GODLIKE

MSI MEG Z890 ACE – premium ATX, sane footprint

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium VRM with fin stacks
4× DDR5; high-7K XMP at 96–128 GB
PCIe 5.0 x16; 5× M.2 (including CPU Gen5)
TB4 rear, Wi-Fi 7, 5GbE (region)

Official page: MEG Z890 ACE

MSI MEG Z890 UNIFY-X – two-DIMM margin, bench controls

Spec snapshot

ATX, premium VRM with tall fins
2× DDR5 (1DPC), memory OC focus
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, robust USB

Official page: MEG Z890 UNIFY-X

MSI MPG Z890 CARBON WiFi – enthusiast sweet spot

Spec snapshot

ATX, strong VRM with fin plates
4× DDR5; stable high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; 5× M.2 (including CPU Gen5)
TB4 (region), Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: MPG Z890 CARBON WiFi

MSI MPG Z890 EDGE TI WiFi – lighter armor, same wiring

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM with Shield Frozr
4× DDR5; easy XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: MPG Z890 EDGE TI WiFi

MSI MPG Z890I EDGE TI WiFi – ITX with real Gen5

Spec snapshot

Mini-ITX, dense VRM fins/backplate
2× DDR5; choose known-good kits
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus stacked Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, solid USB layout

Official page: MPG Z890I EDGE TI WiFi

MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WiFi – value that does not sabotage performance

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM, Shield Frozr plates
4× DDR5; daily high-capacity XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, front 20Gbps

Official page: MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WiFi

MSI Z890 GAMING PLUS WiFi – mainstream done right

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE

Official page: Z890 GAMING PLUS WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-P WiFi – office workstation friendly baseline

Spec snapshot

ATX, conservative VRM sinks
4× DDR5; stable XMP at capacity
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4 M.2
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-P WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-P – wired-first variant

Same wiring, thermals, and storage topology as PRO P WiFi without the wireless module. Ideal if you are wiring with 2.5/10GbE and want a cleaner BOM.

Spec snapshot

ATX, practical VRM
4× DDR5; daily XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
2.5GbE, add Wi-Fi later if needed

Official page: PRO Z890-P

MSI PRO Z890-A WiFi – extra headers and IO where offices need it

Spec snapshot

ATX, capable VRM cooling
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E (region), 2.5GbE, richer USB

Official page: PRO Z890-A WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi – slim aesthetic, same core

Spec snapshot

ATX, minimalist armor over fin plates
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi White – white theme, unchanged wiring

Identical platform fundamentals as PRO Z890-S WiFi with a white finish. If your build is bright, this is the no-compromise aesthetic route.

Spec snapshot

ATX, white armor over fin plates
4× DDR5; easy XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi White

MSI PRO Z890-S WiFi PZ – back-connect cable management

Spec snapshot

ATX, rear-connector layout, finned cooling
4× DDR5; stable XMP
PCIe 5.0 x16; CPU Gen5 plus Gen4
Wi-Fi 7/6E, 2.5GbE

Official page: PRO Z890-S WiFi PZ

Z890 buyer’s guide – quick picks, with the “why”

Best creator I/O: ASUS ProArt Z890-Creator (TB5 plus TB4 plus 10GbE plus 2.5GbE) or GIGABYTE Z890 AERO G (TB4, creator-friendly slotting).

Best DDR5 overclocking: ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex or MSI MEG Z890 UNIFY-X – 2-DIMM topologies for headroom and repeatable training.

Small form factor: ASUS Strix Z890-I or MSI MPG Z890I EDGE TI – ensure good top exhaust; both keep real Gen5 wiring and stacked Gen4 bays.

Decision notes

External workflows (TB storage/displays): Prioritize TB4/TB5 boards (ProArt, MASTER, AERO G, ACE/CARBON in TB regions).
10G now or soon: Prefer on-board 10GbE (ProArt, MASTER, AQUA, some GODLIKE SKUs) – saves slots and heat.
Lots of hot NVMe: Look for fin mass over M.2, sensor-tied fans, and simple sharing tables.
Memory capacity vs clocks: 4-DIMM for 96–128 GB stability; 2-DIMM if your hobby is 8K+ MT/s.

Build checklist

OS/apps on the CPU Gen5 M.2, scratch on the fattest-sink PCH Gen4, “cold” libraries low/far.
One top-rear exhaust keeps VRM and M.2 temps flat and fan curves calm.
Start with vendor boost or AI; validate with your apps; soften LLC one step to curb overshoot.
Read the manual’s lane and SATA sharing table once; plan add-ins accordingly.