Intel Z890 motherboards make its debut with Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and 9600MHz DDR5 overclocking

Board blitz: Builders planning a high-end gaming rig or workstation around Intel’s new Arrow Lake processors rejoice – the major motherboard makers have a fresh batch of Z890 boards packed with the latest features. There are new lineups from Asus, Gigabyte, Asrock, and MSI – and today we are looking at what they bring to the table.

First, some context. Intel’s Z890 is the company’s top chipset for the new LGA 1851 socket, upgrading connectivity with dual Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E. But motherboard vendors are going above and beyond, with many higher-end models adding support for Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE, and 9000MHz+ DDR5 speeds. Prices generally range from $199 to $999 in the US, though there are a few exceptions.

On the Asus front, there are 13 new boards spanning ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX sizes. The ROG Maximus Extreme, Apex, and Hero models return as their flagship overclocker’s choices, while the Prime series covers more affordable options.

Beyond the upgraded Z890 specs, most boards feature a new toolless M.2 socket installation mechanism, and the PCIe x16 slots use a Q-Release latch so you can remove graphics cards without fiddling with the lock. Asus has even launched a “DriverHub” app to streamline driver updates.

Gigabyte is bringing 17 new Z890 boards to the party, most of which are higher-end Aorus models, like the flagship Xtreme AI Top. This board packs a 22+1+2 phase VRM, two full-size Gen 5 PCIe slots, four Gen 5/Gen 4 M.2 slots, and even an RGB DDR5 cooler. The Aorus lineup spans E-ATX, ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX sizes.

Not to be outdone, Asrock has 16 new Z890 motherboards ready. The most interesting addition is the new Taichi sub-brand, which has expanded into a full lineup ranging from the premium Taichi Aqua (with custom cooling loop support) down to more affordable Taichi Lite models.

Their other series, such as Riptide and Lightning, have also received Z890 updates. Asrock is also touting advanced 10-layer PCB designs on select boards for enhanced power delivery and signal integrity.

Of course, MSI is a key player as well, with nine new Z890 motherboards spanning their enthusiast MEG series to their mainstream Pro designs.

The top-tier MEG boards, like the Godlike, Ace, and Unify-X, promise incredible DDR5 overclocking potential up to 9600MHz. The Godlike model comes with a hefty price tag, costing $1,264 in the US and €1,379.99 in Europe, making it the most expensive Z890 board.

Colorful deserves an honorable mention, too. The company has launched seven new Z890 motherboards for a range of users. One unnamed model stands out with a backside cable management design. This board eliminates most front-facing connectors, utilizing an Asus 600W GPU connector to power the graphics card directly from the motherboard – promising a cable-free, clutter-free build for enthusiasts.

Beyond the usual suspects, Biostar, Maxsun, and NZXT have their Z890 designs ready to hit the shelves on October 24 – the same day Intel Core Ultra 200S CPUs launch.