ASUS and MSI: the first images of the Intel Z490 motherboards

Intel Core 10th Gen Comet Lake-S processors should be due later this month, bringing to the market a new generation of motherboards based on Intel 400 series chipsets. Awaiting official information, the first details and images of the new motherboards of the partners ASUS and MSI emerge from the network, in particular of the high beam models belonging respectively to the ASUS ROG and MSI MEG / MPG line.

The portal videocardz has published a slide of the new line ASUS ROG Maximus XII chipset-based Intel Z490, made up of five models that mainly target overclockers and the most demanding gamers.

The models, in detail ROG Maximus XII Formula, ROG Maximus XII Extreme, ROG Maximus XII Hero (Wi-Fi) is ROG Maximus XII Apex, represent an evolution of the current versions with Z390 chipset, all equipped with 16 phase power supplies, support for DDR4 4800 and 2.5G or 10 Gbe LAN; note however that the new motherboards do not yet support PCI-E 4.0, probably not yet indispensable, but already implemented by AMD on the X570 platform presented last year.

Also noteworthy is the introduction of a new model, ROG Maximus XII Extreme Glacial (not shown in the slide), probably a version with white PCB from the ROG Maximus XII Extreme.

Turning to MSI, on the other hand, details and images are shown on the entire Z490 range, starting from the top model MEG Z490 GODLIKE (with Thunderbolt support) and coming to the cheaper PRO series with the MSI Z490 A-PRO. Also in this case we find options for the most demanding users, ample possibilities for overclocking and support for MSI Mystic LIght technology.

Recall that the new Intel Z490 motherboards will support Core 10a Gen "Comet Lake-S" processors with LGA 1200 socket, incompatible with the current LGA 1151 generation. Returning finally to the MSI proposal, we also start talking about prices on the web which, needless to say, are currently not official.