ASUS has expanded its Z790 motherboard series with the introduction of the Z790-AYW WIFI W, a formidable ATX mainboard engineered for 14th-generation Raptor Lake Refresh processors and backward compatibility with older CPUs. This new addition is poised to rival MSI’s MPower lineup in overclocking prowess, with a dual-DIMM variant, the Z790-AYW OC WIFI, also on the horizon.
The Z790-AYW WIFI W is built around an LGA1700 socket that supports a wide range of Intel processors, from Pentium Gold and Celeron to the latest 14th-generation Intel Core CPUs. It is equipped with the cutting-edge Intel Z90 chipset, ensuring compatibility with the newest hardware advancements.
Power delivery is a critical aspect of any overclocking-ready motherboard, and ASUS has addressed this with a robust 12+1 phase power subsystem. The inclusion of VRM heatsinks and thermal pads guarantees smooth and stable operation, even when users push their clock speeds beyond standard limits.
Memory support is another highlight of the Z790-AYW WIFI W. The board’s four DIMM slots are compatible with DDR5-8000+ and lower, down to DDR5-4800 non-ECC, unbuffered memory. However, for those seeking even more extreme performance, the Z790-AYW OC WIFI variant pushes the envelope further with support up to DDR5-8400+. Overclocking enthusiasts can leverage this capability with DDR5-5800 or faster DIMMs to maximize their system’s potential.
The motherboard’s capacity for memory is impressive, supporting up to 192GB across its four
DDR5 slots. Additionally, an HDMI port provides onboard graphics capabilities up to 4K at 60 Hz.
Expansion options are plentiful on the Z790-AYW WIFI W. It features a single PCIe 4.0 x16 Safe Slot Core+ slot, two standard PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, and two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots for various expansion cards.
Storage solutions are well-catered for with three M.2 slots: one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot supporting M.2 22110, one for M.2 2280 storage devices, and a third M.2 22110 slot supporting both PCIe 4.0 x4 or SATA modes. Three M.2 heatsinks ensure optimal thermal management for these high-speed storage devices. Additionally, four SATA 6 Gbps ports provide further options for solid-state and rotational drives.
Connectivity on the Z790-AYW WIFI W is robust yet modest, featuring Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities along with a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port for wired networking needs.
The rear I/O plate of the motherboard houses eight USB ports:
2 x USB 10Gbps ports (1 x Type-A and 1 x Type-C)
2 x USB Type-A 5Gbps ports
4 x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
For audio, three jacks support Realtek’s 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio.
The motherboard also includes headers and connectors for up to nine front USB ports:
- x USB 10Gbps connector (supports USB Type-C)
- x USB 5Gbps headers supporting four additional USB 5Gbps ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers supporting four additional USB 2.0 ports
Bandwidth sharing is noted among certain USB ports, indicating thoughtful design considerations for optimal performance.
While pricing and availability details for the ASUS Z790-AYW WIFI W motherboard have not been announced yet, expectations are set for it to be priced under $250 to compete effectively with MSI’s recently announced MPower Z790 motherboard.
This strategic move by ASUS signifies its dedication to providing top-tier hardware that meets the evolving needs of gamers and over clockers alike. With its comprehensive feature set and aggressive pricing strategy, the ASUS Z790-AYW WIFI W is set to make waves in the PC building community.
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