ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard

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81%
19%
93%
Build Quality
91%
BIOS Maturity
87%
Overclocking Performance
88%
Connectivity & I/O
82%
Wi-Fi Reliability
79%
Audio Quality
84%
Thermal Management
58%
Software Experience
83%
Memory Compatibility
89%
Installation Experience
76%
RGB & Aesthetics
74%
Value for Money
88%
Long-Term Stability
67%
9th Gen CPU Compatibility
More

Overview

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard landed in late 2018 as one of the more compelling options for enthusiast builders jumping onto Intel's 9th Gen launch. The ROG Strix name carries real weight in the ASUS lineup — it sits comfortably above the TUF series but stops short of the Maximus flagship tier, landing in a sweet spot for builders who want serious hardware without an extreme price tag. One thing worth stating plainly: the LGA1151 platform is a closed generation. If you are building a brand-new system in 2024 or later, this board is best treated as a secondary build option or a used-market find rather than a fresh primary investment.

Features & Benefits

Dual M.2 slots is the kind of spec that matters more in practice than it reads on a box. With both running NVMe at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds, you can set up a fast boot drive and a secondary storage drive without touching any of the six SATA ports — a genuinely clean configuration for a gaming or workstation build. The built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO handles wireless reliably enough that most users skip a wired connection entirely during daily gaming. FanXpert 4 gives real control over cooling curves, and while 5-Way Optimization handles automated tuning, experienced builders typically fine-tune manually. The pre-mounted I/O shield is a small detail that saves noticeable frustration during installation.

Best For

This ROG Strix board makes the most sense for builders pairing it with a Core i7-9700K or i9-9900K who want solid overclocking headroom without climbing to Maximus-tier pricing. Gamers who want to cut cable clutter will appreciate the onboard Wi-Fi and the capable SupremeFX audio, which handles most headsets and desktop speakers without any add-in cards. The Aura Sync support is a genuine draw if your GPU, RAM, and case lighting are already inside the ASUS ecosystem. This ASUS gaming motherboard also turns up frequently in used-market builds, where its well-documented BIOS and active community forums make it a dependable choice for second-hand buyers willing to do a little homework before powering on.

User Feedback

With close to 1,900 ratings averaging 4.5 out of 5, the Z390-E has clearly earned consistent trust over several years of real-world use. The two things praised most consistently are BIOS maturity and physical build quality — experienced builders specifically highlight how the layout avoids the cramped slot placement common on cheaper boards. The main caveat worth knowing upfront: if you drop in a 9th Gen CPU on a board that has never been flashed, you may need an 8th Gen chip on hand first to complete the BIOS update. Armoury Crate draws genuinely mixed responses — some users find it convenient, while others remove it entirely and handle fan curves directly through the BIOS instead.

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Pros

  • Dual M.2 slots let you run two NVMe drives simultaneously without giving up any SATA ports.
  • Onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO means no extra wireless card needed in your build.
  • The BIOS is well-developed and mature, making manual overclocking approachable even for intermediate builders.
  • SupremeFX S1220A audio holds up well for gaming headsets and desktop speakers without a dedicated sound card.
  • The reinforced SafeSlot PCIe x16 and ESD guards add meaningful protection for expensive GPUs.
  • Pre-mounted I/O shield is a small but genuinely appreciated detail that speeds up the build process.
  • FanXpert 4 delivers granular fan curve control directly through the BIOS for users who skip the software suite.
  • Board layout is clean and well-spaced, reducing cable management headaches inside mid-tower and full-tower cases.
  • Nearly 1,900 ratings averaging 4.5 out of 5 reflects consistently positive real-world ownership experience.
  • Strong community documentation and forum support make troubleshooting far less frustrating than with lesser-known brands.

Cons

  • The LGA1151 platform is a dead end — there is no CPU upgrade path beyond 9th Gen Intel processors.
  • Out-of-box 9th Gen compatibility is not guaranteed; a BIOS flash using an 8th Gen CPU may be required first.
  • Armoury Crate software is widely reported as bloated, and its background processes can be difficult to fully disable.
  • Paying a premium price for a discontinued-generation board is hard to justify for a primary new build in 2024.
  • DDR4 memory is the only supported RAM type, which limits future-proofing compared to current DDR5 platforms.
  • The Z390-E sits in a crowded price segment where competing boards from MSI and Gigabyte offer similar specs.
  • Aura Sync RGB ecosystem value is limited to users already invested in compatible ASUS components.
  • Used-market buyers take on additional risk since warranty coverage from ASUS is unlikely to apply to second-hand units.

Ratings

Our AI scoring engine analyzed thousands of verified global reviews for the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard, actively filtering out incentivized submissions, duplicate accounts, and bot-generated feedback to surface what real builders actually experienced. The scores below reflect both the genuine strengths that keep this board highly regarded years after launch and the honest pain points that matter when making a buying decision. Nothing has been smoothed over — if something frustrated buyers, it shows up in the numbers.

Build Quality
93%
Experienced builders consistently single out the physical construction as one of the Z390-E's strongest traits. The reinforced SafeSlot PCIe x16, solid capacitor placement, and premium PCB finish give the board a noticeably sturdy feel during installation, especially compared to mid-range alternatives at lower price points.
A small number of users received units with bent LGA1151 socket pins, most likely from shipping rather than manufacturing. While rare, it is a frustrating outcome on a board at this price tier and requires careful inspection before first install.
BIOS Maturity
91%
The BIOS on this ROG Strix board is well-developed and logically organized, which makes manual overclocking far less intimidating than on boards from smaller brands. Builders report that finding memory timing controls, fan curve settings, and XMP profiles takes minimal guesswork, even for users new to Z390.
Early board revisions occasionally shipped with BIOS versions that do not support 9th Gen CPUs out of the box, forcing users to source an 8th Gen chip just to perform a flash. This is a known and recurring frustration that ASUS has never fully eliminated from the retail experience.
Overclocking Performance
87%
The VRM configuration and power delivery on the Z390-E provide genuine headroom for pushing an i7-9700K or i9-9900K to competitive all-core frequencies. Users who pair it with a capable tower cooler or AIO report stable daily overclocks without the throttling issues common on cheaper boards.
Results vary significantly depending on CPU silicon quality, and the board does not compensate for a poor overclock lottery draw. Users expecting flagship-tier overclocking ceilings comparable to a Maximus board will find this one falls a noticeable step short under extreme pushing conditions.
Connectivity & I/O
88%
Having USB 3.1 Gen 2 on the rear I/O alongside onboard Wi-Fi and Gigabit LAN means most builders complete their setup without a single add-in card. The dual M.2 slots are particularly well received by users who want fast NVMe storage on both a boot drive and a scratch drive simultaneously.
The USB 2.0 rear port count is limited, which bothers builders who use several legacy peripherals like older DACs, MIDI controllers, or wireless dongle receivers simultaneously. A front-panel USB-C header is also absent, which feels like an oversight given the board's positioning and price.
Wi-Fi Reliability
82%
18%
The integrated 802.11ac MU-MIMO adapter performs reliably enough for online gaming and streaming in typical home environments, and most users report stable connections with low dropped-packet rates when the router is within reasonable range. Eliminating a separate Wi-Fi card simplifies the build considerably.
At longer distances or through multiple walls, some users notice throughput drops that a dedicated PCIe Wi-Fi card or a wired connection would handle more gracefully. The included antenna is functional but not exceptional, and repositioning it can make a noticeable difference in signal consistency.
Audio Quality
79%
21%
The SupremeFX S1220A codec delivers noticeably cleaner audio output than what most entry-level or mid-range boards offer, handling gaming headsets and desktop speakers with solid channel separation and low background noise at the analog outputs.
Serious audiophiles or content creators who monitor audio professionally will still prefer a dedicated sound card or external DAC. A handful of users also report a faint electrical buzz on the analog outputs in certain builds, which points to ground loop interference rather than a hardware defect.
Thermal Management
84%
FanXpert 4 gives builders precise manual control over each fan header independently, which is genuinely useful in a multi-radiator or multi-fan setup. The 5-Way Optimization auto-tuning works well as a starting point for users who do not want to spend time calibrating curves from scratch.
Armoury Crate, the software layer that houses these controls in Windows, draws consistently mixed feedback for being resource-heavy and occasionally reverting fan curve settings after updates. Many users end up bypassing it entirely and managing everything through the BIOS instead.
Software Experience
58%
42%
For users who want a single application to control RGB lighting, fan speeds, and system monitoring simultaneously, Armoury Crate consolidates those functions in one place. When it works cleanly on a fresh Windows install, it is a reasonably capable ecosystem hub for ASUS component owners.
A significant portion of user complaints center specifically on Armoury Crate being bloated, installing unwanted background services, and behaving inconsistently after Windows updates. The frustration is widespread enough that it meaningfully drags down overall satisfaction scores despite the board hardware itself performing well.
Memory Compatibility
83%
The Z390-E handles XMP profiles reliably across most major DDR4 kit brands, and users running high-speed kits in the 3200 to 3600 MHz range report stable operation without needing to manually fiddle with secondary timings. The four DIMM slots give flexibility for either a dual-kit or quad-kit build.
Pushing beyond 4000 MHz requires more manual tuning effort and does not always result in a stable boot on the first attempt, particularly with four DIMMs populated. Builders using off-brand or older DDR4 kits occasionally hit XMP instability that requires dropping back to manual frequency settings.
Installation Experience
89%
The pre-mounted I/O shield alone saves a surprising amount of frustration during case assembly, and the overall board layout keeps most connectors in practical positions for standard ATX mid-towers. Builders with mid-level experience report clean, straightforward installations without needing to consult the manual repeatedly.
The 24-pin ATX power connector placement can make cable routing slightly awkward in smaller mid-tower cases with modest cable management channels. A few builders also noted that the M.2 screw standoffs are not pre-installed, which is a minor but avoidable hassle during first assembly.
RGB & Aesthetics
76%
24%
Aura Sync integration works well for users who have built out a coordinated ASUS ecosystem with a compatible GPU, RAM, and fans — the lighting synchronization across components is smooth and visually cohesive when the software cooperates. The board's own onboard lighting looks clean through a tempered glass panel.
The value of the RGB system drops sharply for anyone not already committed to ASUS components, and Aura Sync's occasional desync bugs after sleep or restart cycles are a recurring annoyance. Users outside the ASUS ecosystem may find the RGB headers useful but the Aura software largely irrelevant.
Value for Money
74%
26%
At its original retail price, the Z390-E offered a strong feature-to-cost ratio compared to competing enthusiast boards, particularly given the included Wi-Fi, dual M.2, and premium audio. On the used market, where it often trades significantly lower, the value proposition improves considerably for LGA1151 builds.
Paying close to full retail for a discontinued platform in 2024 is hard to justify for a primary new build, especially when current-generation boards offer DDR5 support and a clear upgrade path. The price-to-platform-longevity ratio has naturally declined as the Z390 generation aged out.
Long-Term Stability
88%
Users who have run this ASUS gaming motherboard continuously over multiple years consistently report stable daily performance without hardware degradation, unexpected shutdowns, or component failures under normal operating conditions. The board holds up well under sustained workloads, including extended gaming sessions and overnight rendering tasks.
ASUS has ceased active chipset driver development for the Z390 platform, meaning future Windows updates may introduce minor compatibility friction over time. This is a platform-level limitation rather than a board defect, but it is worth factoring in if you expect the system to serve as a primary machine for several more years.
9th Gen CPU Compatibility
67%
33%
Once the BIOS is updated to a compatible version, the Z390-E runs 9th Gen CPUs including the i9-9900K without any ongoing issues. The platform was specifically designed around this CPU generation, and post-update stability is solid across the full range of supported 9th Gen processors.
The out-of-box BIOS update requirement for 9th Gen CPUs is a genuine barrier for first-time builders who do not own a compatible 8th Gen processor. It is a well-known issue that surfaces repeatedly in buyer complaints and adds an unnecessary complication to what should be a straightforward build process.

Suitable for:

The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard is a strong fit for builders who already own or plan to source an Intel 8th or 9th Gen CPU — particularly anyone pairing it with a Core i7-9700K or i9-9900K and wanting real overclocking headroom without paying flagship board prices. Gamers who prefer a clean, cable-light setup will get genuine value from the onboard Wi-Fi and the SupremeFX audio codec, since both remove the need for separate add-in cards. If you are deep in the ASUS Aura Sync ecosystem with a compatible GPU, RAM kit, and case fans, the RGB integration works well as a cohesive system rather than a gimmick. This board also makes a lot of sense for used-market or refurbished builds, where its proven BIOS, mature community documentation, and durable construction make it one of the safer LGA1151 bets available at a reduced second-hand price. Content creators putting together a capable secondary workstation on the Z390 platform will find the dual M.2 support and USB 3.1 Gen 2 rear ports genuinely useful for day-to-day workflows.

Not suitable for:

Anyone building a brand-new PC in 2024 or later should think carefully before committing to this platform — the Z390 chipset and LGA1151 socket are a closed generation with no upgrade path beyond 9th Gen Intel CPUs, which means longevity is inherently limited compared to current platforms. Budget-conscious builders will likely find better value in newer mid-range boards that support more modern CPUs and DDR5 memory without paying a premium for aging hardware. If you are planning to drop a 9th Gen CPU into this board straight out of the box, be aware that a BIOS update may be required first, which can mean needing access to a compatible 8th Gen chip — a real logistical hassle if you do not have one available. Users who prefer lean, software-free Windows installs may find Armoury Crate frustrating, as its background services and inconsistent update behavior are a recurring complaint that ASUS has never fully resolved. Finally, anyone who does not need onboard Wi-Fi, extensive RGB control, or premium audio and just wants a no-frills Z390 board would be overpaying for features they will never use.

Specifications

  • Form Factor: Standard ATX form factor measuring 13.5 x 10.75 inches, compatible with full-tower and most mid-tower cases.
  • CPU Socket: LGA1151 socket supports Intel 8th and 9th Generation Core, Pentium, and Celeron processors exclusively.
  • Chipset: Intel Z390 chipset enables overclocking, dual-channel memory configuration, and full PCIe lane allocation.
  • Memory Support: Four DDR4 DIMM slots support up to 64 GB of RAM, with a base speed of 2133 MHz and overclocked profiles reaching 4266+ MHz.
  • M.2 Storage: Two M.2 slots are included: one supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes (2242 to 22110 lengths), and the second supports PCIe 3.0 x4 only (2242 to 2280 lengths).
  • SATA Ports: Six SATA 6 Gb/s ports are available for traditional HDDs and SSDs, and they remain fully accessible when both M.2 slots are in use.
  • Wireless: Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with 2x2 MU-MIMO antenna support provides reliable wireless connectivity without a separate adapter.
  • USB Connectivity: Rear I/O includes USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (up to 10 Gb/s) alongside USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 headers for front-panel connections.
  • Audio: Onboard SupremeFX S1220A codec delivers high-fidelity audio output suitable for gaming headsets and desktop speaker setups.
  • Display Output: HDMI and DisplayPort outputs are available for use with integrated graphics on compatible Intel CPUs.
  • PCIe Slots: The primary PCIe x16 slot features ASUS SafeSlot reinforcement and ESD protection to secure heavy graphics cards and prevent socket damage.
  • RGB Lighting: Aura Sync-compatible addressable RGB headers allow synchronized lighting control across compatible ASUS GPUs, RAM, and peripherals.
  • I/O Shield: A pre-mounted I/O shield is included from the factory, simplifying installation and ensuring a clean rear panel fit from the start.
  • Fan Control: FanXpert 4 software and 5-Way Optimization provide both manual and automated thermal and fan speed management across multiple headers.
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 is included alongside the onboard Wi-Fi module for connecting wireless peripherals and audio devices.
  • LAN: Intel I219V Gigabit Ethernet controller handles wired networking with low CPU overhead and stable throughput for online gaming.
  • Power Connectors: The board requires a standard 24-pin ATX power connector and one 8-pin CPU power connector for stable operation under load.
  • Dimensions: Physical dimensions are 13.5 x 10.75 inches (length x width), conforming to the standard ATX specification.

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FAQ

Not always. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard may require a BIOS update before it can POST with a 9th Gen CPU if the board has been sitting in a warehouse or was produced early in the Z390 run. If you do not have an 8th Gen chip available to perform the update, check with the seller to confirm the BIOS version shipped on the unit before you buy.

Yes. Both M.2 slots can be populated with NVMe drives simultaneously, and all six SATA ports remain fully functional. This is one area where the Z390-E has a practical edge over cheaper boards that disable SATA connections when M.2 slots are occupied.

For most users in a home environment, the built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi performs well enough for online gaming, especially if your router supports MU-MIMO. That said, if your router is in the same room or nearby, a wired Gigabit connection through the onboard Intel LAN controller will always offer lower and more consistent latency.

No, it is not required for the board to function. Fan curves and basic system settings can all be managed directly through the BIOS without ever installing Armoury Crate. Many experienced builders skip the software entirely and only install it if they specifically want Aura Sync RGB control across multiple components.

It is genuinely solid for the platform. The power delivery and VRM cooling are well-suited for pushing a Core i7-9700K or i9-9900K to reasonable all-core frequencies. Keep in mind that your actual results will depend heavily on your specific CPU's silicon quality and how capable your cooler is — the board provides the headroom, but it cannot guarantee a particular overclock ceiling.

The board runs DDR4 at a base speed of 2133 MHz out of the box, with XMP profiles supporting speeds up to around 4266 MHz and beyond with compatible kits. For most gaming and productivity workloads, a 3000 to 3600 MHz kit is the practical sweet spot on this platform.

Technically yes, since Windows 11 support depends on the CPU rather than the motherboard, and Intel 8th and 9th Gen CPUs are on Microsoft's supported list. However, since the Z390 platform is aging and no longer receiving chipset driver updates from Intel, some users may encounter minor compatibility quirks over time.

Almost certainly. The primary PCIe x16 slot uses ASUS SafeSlot reinforcement, which handles even heavy triple-fan graphics cards without flex or seating issues. The board follows standard ATX PCIe spacing, so any full-size GPU from major manufacturers should seat and secure without problems.

Only if your Intel CPU has integrated graphics enabled, such as an i7-8700 or i9-9900. CPUs like the i9-9900K and i7-9700K have no integrated graphics, so the onboard video outputs will produce no signal regardless of BIOS settings when using those chips.

It can be, provided you buy from a reputable seller who can confirm the BIOS version and that the board has been tested. The Z390-E has a strong reputation for durability and its BIOS is mature and well-documented, which makes troubleshooting much easier than with obscure or budget brands. Just go in knowing the LGA1151 platform has no further upgrade path beyond 9th Gen Intel CPUs.

Where to Buy

newegg.com
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard
In stock $174.21
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eBay
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard
In stock $199.90
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Newegg.com
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard
In stock $207.73
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ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming Motherboard
In stock $169.99
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