ASUS Prime Z490-A DDR4 Intel Motherboard

The ASUS Prime Z490-A is a full-size ATX motherboard built on the Intel Z490 chipset for Intel LGA1200-socket processors, including 10th Generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron series CPUs with 14 nm architecture. Designed for daily users and PC builders who want reliable performance with room to grow, it combines a robust power delivery system with intelligent tuning software and a versatile connectivity suite. At the heart of its power design sits a 12+2 DrMOS power stage configuration paired with a 6-layer PCB, ProCool power connector sockets, alloy chokes, and long-life capacitors. VRM, PCH, and M.2 heatsinks work alongside hybrid fan headers and the Fan Xpert 4 utility to keep temperatures controlled under sustained workloads. AI Overclocking and AI Cooling features, both accessible through the AI Suite 3 software, can automatically profile the installed CPU and cooling solution to optimize performance settings without manual tuning. Storage flexibility is a strong suit: two M.2 slots (both supporting type 2242/2260/2280/22110 form factors, with M.2_1 handling SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4 and M.2_2 supporting PCIe 3.0 x4) complement six SATA 6 Gb/s ports. RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations are supported, and the board is Intel Optane Memory Ready. Connectivity is led by an Intel I225-V 2.5 Gb Ethernet controller with ASUS LANGuard surge protection. The rear I/O panel provides four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (three Type-A plus one Type-C), two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 1.4b, and an optical S/PDIF output. A Thunderbolt 3 header on the board enables optional Thunderbolt expansion. Wireless networking requires a separately purchased Wi-Fi module installed in the Key-E M.2 slot. Audio is handled by the Realtek ALC S1220A codec, delivering 7.1-channel surround output at up to 32-bit/192 kHz (stereo) with 120 dB SNR playback and 113 dB SNR recording, supported by dedicated audio PCB layers, audio shielding, Japanese capacitors, and a de-pop circuit. Aura Sync RGB lighting with two RGB strip headers and two Addressable Gen 2 headers allows per-zone lighting customisation. The ASUS 5X Protection III suite covers overvoltage, ESD, DRAM overcurrent, LAN surge protection (LANGuard), and a stainless-steel back I/O panel rated for enhanced corrosion resistance. Q-Design features — Q-LED diagnostic indicators for CPU, DRAM, VGA, and boot device — and a pre-mounted I/O shield simplify installation. Key Verified Specifications: - Socket: Intel LGA1200 (10th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, Celeron) - Chipset: Intel Z490 - Form Factor: ATX, 12 in × 9.6 in (30.5 cm × 24.4 cm) - Memory: 4× DIMM, max 128 GB, DDR4 up to 4800 MHz (O.C.), Dual-Channel, Non-ECC Unbuffered - Storage: 2× M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), 6× SATA 6 Gb/s, RAID 0/1/5/10 - LAN: Intel I225-V 2.5 Gb Ethernet - Audio: Realtek ALC S1220A, 7.1-channel, 120 dB SNR - Rear USB: 4× USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3× Type-A, 1× Type-C), 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2× USB 2.0 - Display: 1× DisplayPort 1.4, 1× HDMI 1.4b - Expansion: 2× PCIe 3.0 x16, 1× PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode), 3× PCIe 3.0 x1 - Power Stages: 12+2 DrMOS - BIOS: 192 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI - Warranty: 3 Years