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ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II motherboard: features, specs and fit
An ATX LGA 1700 motherboard with DDR5, five M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 x16 and Wi-Fi 7. What the power design, slots and ports mean and what to check first.
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The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi II is an ATX motherboard for Intel's LGA 1700 socket. It is the board everything else in a desktop plugs into: processor, memory, storage, graphics card and network. This page explains what its main specifications mean, so you can judge whether it suits the build you have in mind.
Which processors it supports
The board has an Intel LGA 1700 socket. ASUS lists support for Intel Core 14th, 13th and 12th Generation processors, plus Pentium Gold and Celeron models. That covers a wide range of chips, from entry-level to high-end. Depending on the board's firmware version, an older revision may need a BIOS update before a newer processor will start, so it is worth reading the manufacturer's processor support list for the exact chip you plan to use.
The power design and cooling
ASUS describes a 16+1+2 power solution with each stage rated for 90A, fed by two ProCool II power connectors. In general, a board's voltage regulator module (VRM) converts the supply's 12V into the lower, steady voltage the processor needs. More stages, each handling less current, typically run cooler and hold voltage steadier under heavy multi-core loads.
The VRM area is covered by large heatsinks with an integrated I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pads and an L-shaped heatpipe linking the two blocks. This matters most with unlocked, high-power processors that draw a lot of current for long periods.
Memory, storage and PCIe 5.0
The board uses DDR5 memory, which is not interchangeable with DDR4. Check that any modules you buy are DDR5.
For storage, ASUS lists five M.2 slots, all PCIe 4.0: one with a heatsink and backplate, and four with heatsinks. That is plenty for a game library, a scratch disk for editing, or a fast boot drive plus several secondary drives. A PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD typically reads at several gigabytes per second.
The main graphics slot is a PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot. PCIe 5.0 doubles the per-lane bandwidth of PCIe 4.0. Today's graphics cards mostly don't saturate PCIe 4.0, so the benefit is room for future cards. The "SafeSlot" name refers to ASUS's reinforced slot, meant to hold heavier cards more securely.
Connectivity
The rear panel offers USB ports at 20Gbps, 10Gbps and 5Gbps, along with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 for using the processor's integrated graphics. The front-panel USB connector supports Power Delivery 3.0 up to 30W, which lets a compatible case's front USB-C port charge a phone or tablet faster. That needs a case with a matching front-panel USB-C port.
Networking includes 2.5 Gb Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 7 only delivers its full benefits with a Wi-Fi 7 router, but it works with older routers at their speeds.
Looks and lighting
ASUS describes a monochrome finish with an iridescent ROG logo and Aura lighting for a "subtle but vibrant" look. Aura lighting is controlled by software, so you can match or turn off the effects.
Who it suits
It suits someone building a gaming or general high-performance desktop on Intel's 12th to 14th Generation chips who wants DDR5, several fast drives and current networking in a full-size ATX layout. A smaller or simpler build may not need this many slots.
What to check before you buy
- Case fit: this is a standard ATX board, so confirm your case supports ATX.
- Processor and BIOS: confirm your exact CPU is on the manufacturer's support list and whether a BIOS update is needed.
- Memory type: DDR5 only, so DDR4 modules from an older build won't work.
- Cooler mounting: LGA 1700 coolers mount differently from older sockets, so check your cooler's compatibility.
- M.2 sizes and sharing: check the manual for supported drive lengths and whether some slots share bandwidth with other ports.
- Power supply: make sure the supply has the CPU power connectors the board needs.
The short version
- An ATX motherboard for Intel LGA 1700 (12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors).
- 16+1+2 power design, rated at 90A per stage, with large VRM heatsinks and a heatpipe.
- DDR5 memory, five PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots and a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot.
- Wi-Fi 7, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, USB up to 20Gbps and a front-panel connector with PD 3.0 up to 30W.
- Check case size, CPU support, BIOS version and DDR5 memory before ordering.
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