With Intel Z390 chipset out in the wild, the add-in board partners are finally readying up for some amazing motherboard options that are going to give you a huge list of options to choose from. The good thing about these motherboards is that they are going to focus on all sorts of categories that you can choose from.
Whether you are looking for something high end, or you just want something that fits the budget, or you want something that is just the right size to fit inside your ITX case. The options are going to be there.
With a good list of options comes a list of confusions as well. What motherboard should I go for? What is the best possible option available in the market? Do I have the right processor or color scheme to go with? These questions are rather common as most of us have been prey to these in the future.
Below, you are going to find some of the best Z390 motherboards. So, if you are looking to buy the best possible motherboard for your upcoming gaming PC, this list is something that is certainly going to help you achieve the best of both worlds.
Top 5 Best Z390 Motherboard of 2020
1. Asus Maximus XI Code – View on Amazon
“Best Overall Motherboard”
Asus’ dedication to providing top of the line hardware has us in ecstasy. For the longest time, they have given us some truly amazing motherboard options and the best part is that they are affordable if you want to go for something like that, and they do focus on performance if that is your preference.
The motherboard we have today is the Asus Maximus XI Code; this is one of the higher end options in Asus’ repertoire, and the best part is that it looks stunning, to say the least.
With that said, the motherboard comes with some of the best looking RGB armor that makes it look amazing. You have a lot of amazing LED implementations across the board, Asus is bios is great for those who are new into the market or those who are seasoned overclockers.
You get an amazing list of accessories in the box. The Wi-Fi antennas are discrete, and the best part is that you also have ARGB LED headers for flaring up your rig.
On the flipside, the downsides involve the fact that the M.2 slots share bandwidth with each other. While it may not be an issue if only one is populated, if you are using multiple options, then it might be an issue.
Overall, for anyone who is looking for the Asus Maximus XI Code, you are certainly investing money in the right motherboard as there are so many amazing options available to choose from. It is a near perfect motherboard and we see no reason why anyone would be against it.
Pros
- Looks amazing.
- Great list of features.
- Comes with a lot of accessories.
- Discrete Wi-Fi antennas are nice to have.
- The RGB implementation is great.
- Great overclocking and stability.
- One of the best bios setups ever that is intuitive and great to use.
Cons
- The M.2 slots on the motherboard share their bandwidth.
2. MSI MEG ACE Z390 Gaming Motherboard – View on Amazon
“Best MSI Motherboard”
If you are looking for something from MSI’s camp, then the good news is that the options are going to be there for you as well. MSI has a great list of motherboards available in the market, however, today, we are looking at a higher-end option that is doing really great in terms of performance.
The MSI MEG ACE Z390 Gaming Motherboard is one of the best motherboards from MSI, and it is known for delivering great performance as well. The motherboard has a lot to prove, but we can assure you that it will deliver excellent performance for those who are looking for a great experience.
For starters, the way the RGB is implemented is great, it looks great without being in your face. The black and silver color scheme is great because it allows for great color neutrality.
The motherboard boasts an entirely custom made the audio system, making it a great option for those who want performance. The wireless connectivity is great to have, and the best part is that the overclocking potential of this motherboard is hard to beat at the given price.
As far as the concerns that we have, you do not get onboard video connection, and the Game Boost overvoltage seemed like a gimmick that not many people will be using in the first place.
The good thing is that these minor inconveniences are not enough to keep the motherboard at bay. As a matter of fact, the MSI MEG ACE Z390 Gaming Motherboard is definitely one of the best performing, and best-looking motherboards available in the market. It gives you all the features that you could want from a high-end motherboard.
Pros
- Amazing overclocking.
- Good list of features.
- The RGB implementation is tastefully done.
- The overall color scheme looks great.
- The AC wireless connectivity is great to have.
Cons
- Game Boost Overvoltage seems like a gimmick.
3. ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming – View on Amazon
“Best Mini ITX Motherboard”
There is no denying that we have always loved ASRock for the amazing performance that they provide. The good thing about the company is that they are great with the options they have in the market, and most importantly, you do need to understand that even if you are not looking to spend a lot of money, they still have quality components available.
Today, we look at the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming motherboard, one of the best gaming motherboards that are available in a smaller, mini-ITX form factor. Can it play with the big boys? Let’s dive in.
Well, for the network lovers, you are getting a triple Ethernet plus 1.734 gigabits per second Wi-Fi. I know it might not sound like a lot, but in terms of speed, this thing is a demon.
You also get some amazing features in terms of the overall motherboard with ample connectivity options, a smaller size, and good looks. The red and black combo might not be something that everyone likes but in general, it is a much better thing to have.
As far as the downsides are concerned, I only have two concerns, but if you are not an overclocker, then they should not bother you. For starters, the overall overclocking stability is just mediocre, and the motherboard also lacks appropriate VRM cooling.
Overall, the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming is definitely a great option for those who are looking to build a capable mini-ITX system. The performance is great and you do not run into any issues either. It definitely is a great option to buy for those who are looking at it.
Pros
- Looks good.
- Fast wireless performance.
- Small package but good overall performance.
- Solid design language.
Cons
- The VRM cooling is average at best.
- The overclocking performance is not as stable as we would have hoped.
4. GIGABYTE Z390 Master Ultra – View on Amazon
“Best Gigabyte Motherboard”
Gigabyte is known for some great products, their enthusiast great products have always been the fan favorite. The same is the case with the motherboard that we are testing out today. This motherboard perfectly bridges the gap between the higher end options
The motherboard in question today is the GIGABYTE Z390 Aorus Ultra, this is definitely one of the best motherboards from Gigabyte we have seen, and not just in terms of its looks. What’s more? Let’s find out.
The one thing that immediately stands out is the amazing overclocking potential that this motherboard has. It is one of the best overclockers out there. The voltage regulator cooling is also great, ensuring that you are going to get stable overclocks through and through.
The software suite that comes with the motherboard is well detailed, with all the features available for you to use at your convenience. The LED lights and the overall looks of the motherboard are also something that we are a fan of.
As far as the downsides are concerned, the one thing that bothers me is that the memory overclocking on this motherboard is not as good. So, that is certainly something that you should keep in mind about this motherboard.
All in all, the GIGABYTE Z390 Aorus Ultra is definitely a great motherboard that you should consider for your next build. There are a lot of amazing features that you can get from this motherboard and most importantly, you can even go ahead and overclock your processor without any issues. I can assure you that it won’t be disappointing in any regard.
Pros
- Overclocks like a champion.
- Great VRM cooling.
- A ton of features.
- Great looks.
- Tasteful RGB implementation.
- The software suite is one of the best we have seen.
Cons
- Overclocking on the memory side is not as stable as we would have liked.
5. Asus Maximus XI Apex – View on Amazon
“Best Motherboard for Overclocking”
We are back with another amazing Asus product on our list, however, this time around, things are a bit different. Instead of going a more traditional route, we are focusing on a motherboard that is built specifically for the hardcore overclocking enthusiasts.
In case you have not guessed it, we are talking about the Asus Maximus XI Apex. One of the best motherboards for those who are looking to overclock their CPU. What does it get you? Well, the overclocking is definitely going to be extremely useful for you, so let’s not forget that.
For starters, the motherboard comes with an 8 phase and 16 power stages. This is special because it is going to let you push your processor to the max.
However, if you want to squeeze more performance, you even have an LN2 mode that will make things even better if you have the right equipment. Asus’ decision to go with a simplified PCB has proved great as this motherboard achieves a lot of stability without many tweaks needed in the first place.
As far as the downsides are concerned, I cannot think of a lot of issues. However, I have to tell you that if you are not looking to push your PC to its limit, then going for a motherboard like this might not be the ideal choice as the motherboard is only suitable for the hardcore overclockers and enthusiasts.
Overall, the Asus Maximus XI Apex is definitely a good motherboard but it more or less serves those who are looking for the maximum performance. I can assure you that this motherboard is definitely going to satisfy your requirements.
Pros
- Great for overclocking
- Easy overclocking controls.
- Simplified PCB.
- Excellent power delivery.
- Brilliantly stable.
- Great list of features.
Cons
- Majority of the features are only good or useful for those who want to overclock their processor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for anyone who is looking for a good Z390 motherboard, this is the list that you should go with. Why? Because we focus on some of the simplest products available in the market, and we can assure you that you are going to get the best options here. Whether you are looking for something high end or something on the budget side of things, the list has you covered.
Additionally, we also made sure that we cover a mini-ITX motherboard because going for that is something that many people look for. Overall, the entire list ensures that you are buying the right motherboard without running into a lot of options.
I can assure you that you will not be regretting the list at all.