ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard: features, specs and compatibility

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming is an ATX motherboard for 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors. It uses the LGA1151 socket and the Z390 chipset, and it is aimed at gamers building or upgrading a PC around those chips. Here is what it offers and what it is compatible with.

What it fits

The listing states that it is designed for 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors on the LGA1151 socket, with DDR4 memory. That matters because sockets are not interchangeable: newer Intel processors use different sockets and will not fit. Equally, older 6th and 7th generation chips are not named in the listing. Check the manufacturer's CPU support list, and note that motherboards sometimes need a BIOS update before a newer chip will be recognized. The listing says the operating system support is Windows 10 64-bit.

Dual M.2 storage

The board has two M.2 slots, which hold slim solid-state drives directly on the motherboard without cables. M.2 drives can be much faster than older SATA drives, depending on the type. Two slots let you pair, for example, a fast system drive with a second drive for games. The listing doesn't specify which drive types each slot supports or whether using one disables a SATA port, so check the manual before planning your storage.

Connectivity

Onboard 802.11AC Wi-Fi means you can connect wirelessly without adding a card, which is helpful where a network cable is not practical. USB 3.1 Gen 2 provides data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps on supported ports, useful for external SSDs and fast drives. The listing also mentions DisplayPort and HDMI outputs, which work only with processors that have integrated graphics; processors with an "F" suffix lack it, so those need a graphics card.

Overclocking and tuning

The headline features are about performance tuning. "5-Way Optimization" is ASUS's name for a tool that tunes the system, with AI overclocking that the brand says works from smart prediction and thermal telemetry. FanXpert 4 handles fan control. ASUS "Optimum II" is described as improving DRAM overclocking stability. Overclocking raises component temperatures and can reduce stability, and it may affect warranty terms, so it's best approached carefully with good cooling. Overclocking also depends on using an unlocked processor, typically a "K" model.

Protection features

ASUS calls its protection set "Gamer's Guardian". It includes SafeSlot, ESD guards and DRAM overcurrent protection, which the brand says help component longevity. SafeSlot is a reinforced graphics-card slot designed to cope with heavy cards. The motherboard also has a pre-mounted I/O shield, so the metal back plate is attached to the board and doesn't need to be fitted separately during the build.

Who it suits

It suits builders who are putting together or refreshing a system with an 8th or 9th generation Intel processor, and who want dual M.2, onboard Wi-Fi and tuning options. It doesn't suit anyone building around a newer processor generation, or anyone who wants current memory types.

What to check before you buy

• CPU support: confirm your exact processor appears on the board's support list, and whether a BIOS update is needed.
• Memory: it uses DDR4; check supported speeds and capacity.
• Case: ATX needs a case that takes full-size boards.
• Storage plan: check how the M.2 slots share bandwidth with SATA ports.
• Cooling and power: make sure your cooler and power supply fit the board's mounts and connectors.
• Operating system: the listing names Windows 10 64-bit, so check driver support for other systems.

The short version

• ATX LGA1151 motherboard for 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors.
• Dual M.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2 and onboard 802.11AC Wi-Fi.
• 5-Way Optimization, FanXpert 4 and Optimum II for DRAM stability.
• SafeSlot, ESD guards, DRAM overcurrent protection and a pre-mounted I/O shield.
• Check CPU support, DDR4 memory and case size before building.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.